By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Long Term Care Commission Report Falls Short
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > Finance > Long Term Care Commission Report Falls Short
FinanceGeriatricsPolicy & LawPublic HealthSpecialties

Long Term Care Commission Report Falls Short

Liz Seegert
Liz Seegert
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

This blog post first appeared on HealthCetera, from the Center for Health, Media & Policy at Hunter College, where I’m a Senior Fellow. 

long term care

This blog post first appeared on HealthCetera, from the Center for Health, Media & Policy at Hunter College, where I’m a Senior Fellow. 

long term care

More Read

The Time Bomb No One Is Talking About
Empowered Patients Demand Better Engagement from Clinical Trials
How to Build Healthcare Apps: Questions for Your Development Team
How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
More on the Longevity Project

The Federal Long Term Care Commission issued its final report last week – adopting 28 recommendations addressing home and community based care, increased support for family caregivers, better workforce training and compensation, and a push away from a knee-jerk adherence to “institutional first” transitional care. That’s good news for the millions of disabled and older adults requiring some level of long term services and support.

But there’s this one problem.

The Commission couldn’t agree on how to pay for it. Instead of reaching consensus on payment reform, a split committee proposed different approaches – one focused on private market solutions and the other on public programs to finance these recommendations. A little insurance, a little personal savings, a little government help, perhaps some changes in Medicare rules… it was difficult to determine what, if anything was really on the table.

To make matters worse, six commissioners voted against presenting this as the panel’s final report. They refused to whole-heartedly condone the document primarily because of the nebulous statements on financing.

The Commission was formed as part of last year’s fiscal cliff deal to address issues that the repealed CLASS Act, was supposed to take care of. The CLASS Act offered Americans some real options for long term care coverage and was part of the original Affordable Care Act. It was axed when the final numbers didn’t work out as proposed.

Commissioners only really began work on these issues in June and there was little optimism that anything substantive could be accomplished in the 100 or so days left in their mandate. Throughout the summer, they heard testimony from long term care experts and advocates. A final report was required by mid-September and they managed to meet the deadline. But once again, older adults and others who need ongoing services and support are left hanging.

It’s highly doubtful a fractured Congress will come to quick agreement on financing any — let alone all — of the Commission’s proposals. Several Commissioners plan to write their own reports, with more of their specific ideas on costs and coverage. Conceivably as many as a half-dozen different versions could end up on legislator’s desks.

The long term care crisis is real, and it’s only getting worse. 12 million Americans currently require some type of long term support. Aging baby boomers will swell the ranks of seniors to nearly one-fifth of the population by 2030, according to the Scan Foundation, while the availability of caregivers – both family members and paid workforce – are declining. Costs of care are increasing, strain on family caregivers, and strain on the system is nearly at the breaking point already.

The Commissioners recognize that the report falls short. They urged Congress to view the document as a jumping off point for more refined proposals, additional committees, and alternative financing approaches. If there’s movement at all on these recommendations, it will be incremental at best.

How do you tell an 85-year-old who could remain in her own home with just a little help, to wait?

How do you tell the son or daughter of a parent with Alzheimer’s that respite care is being “negotiated?” What can prevent someone from spending down nearly all of their assets because it’s the only way they can qualify for Medicaid-financed nursing home care?

Real solutions to improve quality of life, and quality of care for a significant portion of our population are in the pages of the Commission’s report. Unfortunately, the missing piece of the puzzle leaves millions still grappling with the same issues, and no relief in sight.

TAGGED:aging in placeLinkedInlong term care commissionlong-term care
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Nurse Scheduling Software
Evaluating 7 Best Nurse Scheduling Software
Nursing Technology
October 28, 2025
contamination
Batch Failures And The Hidden Costs Of Contamination
Health Infographics
October 21, 2025
Medication Management For Seniors
Simplifying Medication Management For Seniors
Infographics Senior Care
October 21, 2025
Guide To Pursuing a Career in Nursing as a Foreigner in the USA
Collaboration Is the Prescription for Better Patient Care
Health
October 20, 2025

You Might also Like

medical practice and health tech
Medical EducationMedical EthicsPolicy & LawTechnology

Mapping the Role of Health Tech in Medical Practice

November 3, 2021
pharmacist
NewsSpecialties

Pharmacy Board Needs Non-Pharmacist Majority

July 12, 2013

Primary Care Physicians Can Greatly Reduce The Costs Of Care, Especially For Chronic Diseases

October 13, 2011
healthcare organization
Medical Education

How Micro-Moves Can Drive Major HealthCare Change: Walking the Patient’s Path

October 10, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?