Long-Term Care Financing Will Be Focus of 'Building Bridges' Policy Seminar
<p>In Japan and much of Europe, public benefits for long-term care of the frail elderly have become a pillar of social policy, along with benefits for retirement and health care. In the U.S., however, most long-term care is provided by family members, with some by paid aides. The cost of formal care is high, averaging $75,000 per year for residence in a skilled nursing facility and $20 per hour for home health aides. <br /><br />As part of comprehensive health reform legislation, Congress is considering the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act, which would create a voluntary system melding public insurance with private long-term care coverage and Medicaid. It would mark the most significant change since 1965 in the way the U.S. finances long-term care. <br /><br />Sponsored by The Commonwealth Fund and conducted by AcademyHealth, the <a href="http://www.academyhealth.org/Events/content.cfm?ItemNumber=3636&navItem…; target="_blank">Building Bridges: 2010 Policy Seminar</a> will discuss the CLASS Act and a variety of issues related to long-term care financing reform. Highlights will include: </p>
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<li>Urban Institute resident fellow Howard Gleckman discussing his Commonwealth Fund report. <a href="/publications/fund-reports/2010/feb/long-term-care-financing-reform-lessons-us-and-abroad">Long-Term Care Financing Reform: Lessons from the U.S. and Abroad</a>, the CLASS Act, and potential solutions to financing long-term care in the U.S. </li>
<li>A panel discussion featuring Richard Frank, Ph.D., deputy assistant secretary for policy and evaluation in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Nora Super, director of federal government relations, health, and long-term care for AARP. </li>
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<p>The policy seminar is scheduled for March 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the JW Marriott, Washington, D.C. <a href="http://www.academyhealth.org/files/interestgroups/ltc/LTC_regformEDIT1…; target="_blank">Registration</a> is required. <br /><br /></p>