Recent Articles: Passage of Long Term Care and Retirement Security Act of 2003 Called Vital To Boosting Future Retirees' Ability to Save, Prepare for Health Care Needs
By: Susan Feeney
Source: www.ahca.org/news/
Date of Article: July 3, 2003
Washington, DC (July 8, 2003)--Saying passage of the Long Term Care and Retirement Security Act of 2003 is vital to helping America's future retirees plan and save to meet increasingly expensive health care costs, the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and National Center For Assisted Living (NCAL) today said helping Americans save for their retirement is among the most critical issues in today's public policy spotlight.
The bill, S. 1335, introduced by Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) and co-sponsored by Senators Bob Graham (D-FL), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and John Breaux (D-LA), would "amend the Internal Revenue Act of 1986 to allow individuals a deduction for qualified long term care insurance premiums, use of such insurance under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements, and a credit for individuals with long term care needs."
"Today, it's more important than ever to provide individuals with the tools they need to take control of their own retirement and healthcare needs," stated Charles H. Roadman II, MD, CNA, President and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. "We are pleased to see growing bipartisan support to pass long term care tax incentives, and the dialogue underway represents the leading edge of debate on what will surely be one of America's most substantial challenges of the 21st Century."
Dr. Roadman said passage of the Senate legislation and a similar bill sponsored by U.S. Reps. Nancy Johnson (R-CT) and Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) in the U.S. House of Representatives, is among AHCA's most important legislative goals in the current Session of Congress.
"We believe the tax incentives offered in the Senate and House legislation will not only make long term care insurance more attractive and affordable, but will empower individuals to choose whether their care needs can best be met at home, in a community-based setting, assisted living setting or in a nursing facility," continued Dr. Roadman.
"The Long Term Care and Retirement Security Act would serve as the cornerstone for more comprehensive reforms that must be enacted to ensure all citizens have the ability to choose the plan they see fit," Dr. Roadman said. He added that "such a comprehensive approach would include a targeted premium-support option in the form of a refundable tax credit -- a credit that would empower low- to moderate-income Americans to purchase private long term care insurance and take control of their own long term care planning needs."
The AHCA/NCAL President and CEO noted that the average cost of a nursing home stay is at least $50,000 per year and $26,000 for assisted living - and far more in major metropolitan areas. Dr. Roadman said these price tags are well beyond the means of most American families and individuals. He concluded: "It's essential for every one of our citizens to have the means to choose the terms of their long term care needs - not have means of care imposed upon them by default."