Americans are living longer than ever before thanks to medical advancements and healthy lifestyle habits. But questions remain as to where will these older Americans will live and how they will afford their healthcare as they age. The answers may be found in new bipartisan legislation co-sponsored by Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA) and Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-PA). The bill would establish a new Community-Based Institutional Special Needs Plan demonstration program designed to provide home- and community-based services for low-income Medicare-only beneficiaries who need assistance with basic activities of daily living.
Absent of such a program, seniors needing these services often have little choice but to enter a nursing home. But the federal government does not pay for long-term services unless an individual is on Medicaid, forcing these seniors to spend down their assets until they become so eligible. Under this system nobody wins — not the senior who exhausts their income only to end up in a nursing home where they never wanted to be; nor the government, which now has another person unnecessarily on Medicaid.
Enabling these seniors to remain in their homes will significantly improve the quality of life for them and their families while also delivering savings to both the state and the federal government. One study estimates four-year savings of nearly $60 million for a demonstration of 5,000 Medicare members by postponing or preventing hospitalization and institutionalization.
Rep. Sanchez’ bill is a common sense solution whose passage will make life better for frail seniors while serving as a critical step in reshaping the provision and financing of long-term care in America.
-Chris Wing, CEO of SCAN Health Plan
LONG BEACH