Reps. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and Aaron Bean (R-FL) have introduced legislation, H.R.8867, aimed at educating the public about long-term care (LTC) accessibility, affordability, and necessity. The “Planning for Long-term Aging Needs (PLAN) Act,” said Rep. Suozzi, “would launch a public campaign to educate families about the necessity of planning for long term care, helping them avoid the financial crisis that hits many families when their loved ones age.”

The Suozzi-Bean bill would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and implement, as part of the National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information, this public education initiative. Rep. Suozzi said the PLAN Act is a complement to his WISH Act which would create a federal catastrophic long-term care insurance program coupled with measures to achieve a robust private sector LTC insurance market.

Prospects: There is growing awareness of and concern about LTC issues among lawmakers in both parties and in both chambers of Congress. However, the cost of addressing LTC issues, deep partisan disagreements, and competition from other more time-sensitive issues mean it is likely that these LTC proposals will wait until next year, or perhaps even longer, before Congress addresses them.

NAIFA Staff Contacts: Jayne Fitzgerald – Director – Government Relations, at jfitzgerald@naifa.org