A panel in Pennsylvania has tried to look clearly at a perennial issue: Why states don't do all that much to get residents to prepare for future long-term care (LTC) bills.
See also: LTC community fights for eyes
The federal government puts more cash in state Medicaid programs these days, but states still spend heavily on Medicaid nursing home programs.
If residents would use more long-term care insurance (LTCI), annuities, cash-value life insurance policies, mutual funds, bank accounts or ceramic piggy banks to finance their own care, they would have more control over the care, and states could reduce outlays, or use the money saved on other activities.
The Pennsylvania Long Term Care Commission recently included an LTC planning education recommendation, Proposal 2.2, in its final report.
The commission calls for the state to "pursue a multi-dimensional approach to increase education to promote personal planning for and awareness of [long-term services and supports (LTSS)] needs."
