"Healthcare Reform" is different from "Long-term
Care Reform"
There is going to be major healthcare reform over the next few
years. Groups from every political spectrum are in favor of healthcare
reform.
Every adult American (regardless of political affiliation) knows that
there's no free lunch. First-class healthcare cannot be pulled out of
a hat. Whether we're talking about President-elect Obama's healthcare
proposals, Sen. Clinton's proposals, or Sen. Baucus' recent white
paper on healthcare reform, they're all founded upon getting more
people "into the system" as a means of increasing healthcare dollars
and cutting costs; with an eye on improving quality in the long run.
Sen. Baucus' "healthcare reform" proposals are the most far-reaching
of any proposals that have been put forth by other politicians. He is
mandating that every American have some kind of health insurance
coverage--whether it be employer-based, individually-owned, or part of
Medicaid, SCHIP, or other gov't program.
Sen. Baucus' 98-page proposal on "healthcare reform" had only two
pages that discussed "long term care reform". Those 2 pages make very
interesting reading. His recommendations for "long term care reform"
are:
1) Make Medicaid more efficient and cost-effective
2) Allow Medicaid beneficiaries to be able to receive care in the
community (instead of just nursing home care)
3) Make long term care insurance more affordable and accessible.
He summarizes his "long term care reform" proposals in one paragraph
on page 80 of his report. He states:
"Achieving ultimate success will require both public and private
solutions. While we consider options to improve the care in our public
programs (i.e. Medicaid), we should also explore policies that make
quality long-term care insurance products more affordable and
accessible."
No one is proposing a "universal long term care program". During the
presidential campaign, both Senators Obama and Clinton came out in
favor of strengthening consumer protections for long term care
insurance and encouraging the purchase of long term care insurance.
Sen. Clinton even proposed a 50% tax credit for long term care
insurance to encourage more people to own it.
As we work through the reform of our country's healthcare system, keep
in mind that "healthcare reform" is NOT the same as "long term care
reform".
To read Sen. Baucus' white paper on
"healthcare reform" click HERE:
To receive quotes and information
on long term care insurance, click HERE.
Scott A. Olson