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HHS and NCSL Release Report on State Long-Term Care Policy (July 26, 2002)

On July 26th, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson released a report analyzing states’ long-term care policies and efforts to deal with the rising costs of services for the elderly, people with disabilities and others requiring long-term care. The HHS-funded report, prepared by the National Conference on State Legislatures (NCSL), shows many states are adopting innovative approaches to addressing their residents’ long-term care needs even as they face tight budgetary situations.

The report also cites a trend in states towards providing individuals greater choice through opportunities for home and community-based care services—a major goal of President Bush’s New Freedom Initiative. The President’s initiative provides a government-wide framework for helping people with disabilities with the tools they need to fully access and participate in their communities.

Helping individuals stay in their own home for as long as possible is generally the best choice for beneficiary and taxpayer alike, and we must—and will—do more to expand such opportunities in every state across the nation.

HHS Secretary Thompson
July 26, 2002

The NCSL report, State Long-Term Care: Recent Developments and Policy Directions, takes an in-depth look at long-term care budgets, legislation and planning in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The report states that tight budget pictures in many states raise new challenges for continuing the trend toward more home and community-based services. The report’s findings include:

A slowing economy has increased the number of people turning to public services for help;
Shortages of direct care workers have increased pressure on states to provide incentives to attract and retain workers;
Court decisions, including the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Olmstead, have stimulated many states to increase community-based alternatives to institutionalization; and
The aging population means that more frail elderly and people with disabilities need assistance.

To download a copy of the HHS and NCSL, click here.

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