AGS Stands by Mission of New Congressional Long-Term Care Commission

Among the measures that Congress undertook on January 1 to steer the government clear of what came to be known as the “fiscal cliff” were some steps that might ultimately lead to affordable long-term care coverage for Americans. One of these steps repealed the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act. The act was intended to create a voluntary, nationwide, long-term care insurance plan, but President Obama shelved it before it could be implemented after projections suggested it would not be financially viable. Congress took another step forward on January 1 by mandating a national commission—the Commission on Long-Term Care—and charging it with developing a plan for a workable alternative to the CLASS Act. 

Lawmakers have given the new commission a considerable job to do. It is responsible for drafting a plan for “establishing, implementing, and financing [a] comprehensive, coordinated, and high-quality system that ensures the availability of long-term services and supports” for older adults and others with disabilities. In keeping with the legislation, members of the commission must reflect the interests of those in need of long-term care, their caregivers and care providers, as well as Medicare and Medicaid officials and long-term care insurance firms. This is appropriate.

All told, the commission is to include 15 members. The President, the Senate Majority Leader, the Senate Minority Leader, the Speaker of the House, and the House Minority Leader will each be responsible for appointing three members to the commission. The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) has expressed its support for the commission and, as this issue of Annals of Long-Term Care^® (ALTC) was going to press in mid-February, was submitting names for appointment to the panel. 

“We are pleased to see this commission established,” said AGS President Jim Pacala, MD. “With the oldest of the baby boomers turning 67 this year, we clearly need a sustainable plan to ensure that older adults and others in need of long-term care have access to these essential services.”

Congress gave the Commission on Long-Term Care until the end of January to appoint the 15 members, and it will give the panel just 6 months from the time the panel is established to vote on a comprehensive and detailed report. These are tight deadlines—too tight, some have argued—but there is reason for optimism. As this issue of ALTC  went to press, there were no updates to report with regard to this action. 

In a recent editorial column, Bruce Chernof, MD, president and CEO of the SCAN Foundation wrote, “This new national commission, despite its long list of charges and short work window, has the potential to provide key solutions as part of entitlement reform efforts while also laying a new, sustainable path for all Americans to age with dignity and independence.” We agree.