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Long-Term Care Coalition Sets Goals
February 17, 2003
A coalition that works on behalf of long-term care providers wants lawmakers to be more aware of chronic care needs. The board of Citizens for Long-Term Care adopted six priorities that it will support over the next two years, including:
Support bipartisan state fiscal relief initiatives aimed at averting cuts in Medicaid long term care coverage and reimbursement.
Link and support necessary efforts to assure adequate reimbursement levels for long term care services (provider payment enhancements) with initiatives to promote enhanced staffing levels and better outcomes.
Ensure that any reform of Medicaid first include a recognition of and policy that supports the needs of long term care consumers, providers, and public and private payers; support a more rational and cost effective management of health care services utilized by dual eligibles
Search for better ways to improve quality and compensate for harm; promote efforts to reduce medical errors as one way to reduce liability exposure, as well as to improve care
Advocate that Medicare reforms include substantial and effective steps toward better coverage of chronic care that accent chronicity treatment, prevention, delay, and reversal and therefore delay or decrease the need for long term care in particular persons; urge that MedPAC be tasked to develop analyses and recommendations in this area. Support and, where appropriate, make permanent, demonstrations consistent with our vision, including approaches that better integrate long term care with acute care services and reimbursement streams; in addition, advocate that HHS expand its current primary care projects to include treatment of chronic conditions, an enhanced focus on home health, and the integration of mental/behavioral health with acute care.
Support adequately funded tax credits that provide direct financial support for the chronically ill and their caregivers, advocate for continued improvement of private long term care products, and support enhanced incentives for the purchase of quality private long term care insurance products.
The group will hold a news conference Feb. 21 to kick off its campaign.
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