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Moore, Senate vote for long term health care standards for the Commonwealth
November 23, 2007...Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, and his colleagues in the Senate recently approved legislation to establish long term health care insurance in the Commonwealth, adding a new chapter to the General Laws that defines long term care and provides a framework of oversight through the Division of Insurance. “Health care reform has been a centerpiece of Massachusetts legislative accomplishments,” Senate President Therese Murray, D-Plymouth, said. “It’s about time we had legislation addressing the need for long term care. This is a major boost for our health care system in Massachusetts.” The proposed legislation would increase options for consumers by allowing out-of-state policies that meet statutory and regulatory requirements of the Commonwealth to be sold to Massachusetts residents. “I am pleased that the Senate was able to pass this most important initiative to continue enhancing care for the residents of the Commonwealth,” said Moore, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. “As we are becoming more acutely aware of the need for long term care insurance, for purposes of both cost-savings and proper care, we need to be sure that consumer protection measures are in place as well as procedures to make the process as transparent as possible.” The legislation provides regulated consumer protections to prevent deceptive practices against policy holders, including safeguards that would require policy summaries for consumers and a 30-day right to return the policy for a refund. As the population ages and more nursing home care becomes necessary, long term care costs will become a greater problem. According to the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, long term care services can be a significant financial hardship, especially when a long stay in a nursing home is required. The Commission reports that the average individual annual cost of nursing home care is $74,095. And while Medicaid provides assistance to low-income individuals, Medicare does not cover long term nursing home care for senior citizens. In fact, according to the Commission, nursing home expenditures totaled $115 billion in 2004, with Medicaid and out-of-pocket payments making up the largest share, 44 percent and 28 percent respectively. Private insurance accounted for just 7.8 percent. The bill will now go the House of Representatives. For more information on Sen. Moore’s health care initiatives, please visit www.senatormoore.com. |
