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The Issues: Health Care - Long-Term Care Reform
Since my time as Chair of the Wisconsin
State Senate's Aging Committee, I have worked to help seniors
get the support they need. The portion of the American population
that will need long-term care is expected to explode during
the next few decades. While there are people of all ages needing
long-term care services, the elderly make up a significant
portion of this population, and they are the fastest growing
segment of our population, with those over age 85 -- individuals
most in need of long-term care -- the fastest growing segment
of the elderly. Failure to reform long-term care will inevitably
lead to increased use of the current Medicaid system, the
most expensive long-term care alternative for taxpayers and
the least desirable choice for consumers.
Under the present system, many people have to spend their
life savings to receive coverage under Medicaid, and many
have to move into a nursing home as a result. I have introduced
legislation in the past that would provide for flexible funding
so that the elderly and people with disabilities can get the
services they need without compromising their personal savings
or their home. Such long-term care reform initiatives would
involve a system in which the consumer would have choice and
management authority, ultimately taking an active role in
a more cost-effective long-term care process.
Keeping
Medicare Strong for Wisconsin Seniors
Making
Prescription Drugs More Affordable for Seniors
Health Care
Fact Sheet
Access to
Home Health Care
Long-Term
Care Reform
Supporting
the Older Americans Act
Protecting
the Right of Patients
Improving
Access to Dental Care
Supporting
Biomedical Research
Increasing
Availability of Defibrillators
Related: Seniors
Health
Care Main
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