PUBLIC POLICY


• Supplements Medicaid benefi ts for du- ally-eligible benefi ciaries, working with the state to off set the costs of care;


Advocates Argentum For You Rep. Frank Pallone


This summer, Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D- NJ), ranking member of the Committee on Energy & Commerce, introduced a legisla- tive proposal to estab- lish a new Medicare long-term care benefi t for the aging and dis-


abled population. The Medicare Long-Term Care Services and Supports Act (H.R. 6563), “would provide a public benefi t within Medi- care, designed for everyone regardless of in- come or where they live, to provide long-term care services and supports,” according to the offi ce of Rep. Pallone. Seniors would qualify for the program and be entitled to benefi ts primarily through their eligibility to receive benefi ts (or enrolled) under Medicare Part A. Although the text of the bill has yet to be


released, the Argentum public policy team has identifi ed the following key factors that would benefi t the senior population: • Provides a standard cash benefi t within Medicare for all enrollees and those under the age of 65 who meet certain disability thresholds;


• Provides a self-directed benefi t to quali- fi ed individuals to cover a minimum of fi ve hours of home care, approximately $100 per day (after a two-year waiting period that functions as deductible) that could be used toward LTSS, including nursing home care, adult day programs, home health aide services, personal care services,


transportation, and assistance provided by a family caregiver;


• An option for the waiting period that allows a person with three or more activities of daily living and substantial impairment to access the benefi t immediately by instead paying a cash deductible scaled to income;


JULY/AUGUST 2018 ARGENTUM.ORG 55


• Provides incentives for people to seek care at home or at a home and communi- ty-based setting, where most people want to be, and with family support, while also being available for nursing homes; and


• Provides relief for overburdened care- givers to off set fi nancial losses of family who chose to leave the workforce or reduce hours.


Analysis from organizations such as the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College indicates future retirees haven’t saved enough for long-term care services and supports. The Medicare Long-Term Care Services and Supports Act puts se- niors at the forefront and allows a daily self-directed amount that can be used to


pay for care and services in the setting of their choice. Argentum is dedicated to supporting


this legislation and working with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to address LTSS concerns and explore vari- ous options and opportunities to incentivize savings and fl exible spending programs. For more information about Rep. Pallone’s pro- posal, please visit argentum.org/advocacy or email advocacy@argentum.org.


Call to Action! You have the opportunity to participate in the vital conversation on legislative pro- posals such as The Medicare Long-Term Care Services and Supports Act. Please visit argentum.org/advocacy to access a template letter to sign and email to Rep. Pallone’s offi ce in Washington, D.C.


PARTICIPATE IN THE ARGENTUM STAR PROGRAM


There are many ways senior living professionals can get involved in advocacy to support the senior living industry and the residents they serve. Argentum has created a program that encourages individuals and provider companies to engage in grassroots activity at the federal, state, and local levels. The Argentum STAR program was launched earlier this year to motivate all senior living professionals from caregivers to CEO’s to use their voices, expertise, and passion across the country. For more information, please visit argentum.org/starprogram.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64