Congresswoman Matsui Calls for Long Term Care Solutions for American Families and Community Caretakers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
CONTACT: LAUREN DART
(202) 225-7163
Congresswoman Matsui Calls for Long Term Care Solutions for American Families and Community Caretakers
Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Members Discuss Reforms to Long-Term Services and Supports
Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) issued the following statement at the House Energy andamp; Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing on Examining the Financing and Delivery of Long-Term Care in the U.S.:
"Today, we are examining a critical issue that affects millions of Americans: the financing and delivery of long-term care.
"Long-term services and supports are medical and personal care assistance services for people who have difficulty completing daily living activities over a prolonged period of time, from feeding or bathing to meal preparation or management of medication regimens.
"Approximately 12 million Americans of all ages require long term care for medical needs associated with developmental disabilities, traumatic injuries, behavioral health, or chronic conditions. Elderly individuals in particular are at an increased risk for requiring long term care.
"So who is providing and paying for this care in our country?
"Unfortunately, we don't have a robust system in place that works for families. In fact, much of both the care and financing often ends up falling on the family.
"Unpaid caregiving serves as the front line. Across the country, 17 percent of working adults provide unpaid care for family members or friends. That is an estimated $470 billion dollars annually in labor costs. This lost productivity is estimated to cost the economy $34 billion dollars a year.
"Oftentimes, women are the ones who disproportionately bear the burden of providing unpaid long term care. Women often are called on to care for their family members at a time when they may not be able to reenter the workforce. Women also live longer; yet find themselves unable to save for retirement when supporting family members. Our daughters, granddaughters and mothers should not have to carry the weight of this broken system any longer.
"Despite the growing need for long term care due to our aging population, there is no viable financing system in this country to support it.
"It is a common misconception that Medicare covers the long term care in this country. However, it only covers limited circumstances, such as care immediately following a hospital stay.
"In fact, Medicaid is the single largest payer of long term care in the U.S. However, most middle class families do not qualify for Medicaid and must pay out-of-pocket to "spend down" their assets before receiving benefits. And, for Americans with disabilities successful employment can lead to a loss of Medicaid coverage and thus create a disincentive to participate in the workforce.
"We need to create a system that allows recipients to receive services and supports while remaining employed.
"Without Medicaid or private insurance, on average families are spending about $140,000 dollars on long term care for their loved ones. For working families who are trying to pay their mortgage, send their children to college, and take care of the long term medical needs of their loved ones, these costs are devastatingly high.
"The reality is clear: long-term care financing is in a crisis state in this country, and is one of the greatest threats to retirement security for seniors and the adult family members who care for them.
"It is time for us to act to protect our seniors, people with disabilities, and those that care for them.
"Today we will hear about three major bipartisan reports, which have independently agreed on three major actions Congress must take:
"First, we must strengthen and simplify Medicaid long-term care. Second, we need to build a more consumer-friendly long-term care private insurance market. Finally, we must create a program that will be there for those with catastrophic long term care costs.
"Together, we must commit to finding a sustainable means for financing and delivering quality long term care to our loved ones, because our families deserve more."
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