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News from Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
For Immediate Release
Contact: Russ Levsen, 202-225-2801

HOUSE PASSES HERSETH SANDLIN BILL TO INCREASE AWARENESS
OF LONG-TERM CARE

Many Americans Mistakenly Believe They Are Covered by Existing Public Programs

October 18, 2007, Washington, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives earlier this week passed a resolution introduced by Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin in support of Long-Term Care Awareness Week, which is November 4-10. Herseth Sandlin has made long-term care a key legislative priority since coming to the Congress, and her bill encourages the Health and Human Services Department to educate citizens about long-term care and the options available to help meet their long-term care needs.

Experts have projected strong growth and demand for long-term care services as the baby-boom generation grows older. However, despite these growth projections, studies show that many Americans don't have a clear perception of what long-term care costs and to what extent long-term care is covered by public programs.

Herseth Sandlin said, “As someone who has considered the long-term health needs among my own family members, I know this is an important issue for all South Dakotans – and there is evidence that misinformation about the costs associated with long-term care could have financially devastating consequences for families.”

Herseth Sandlin pointed to statistics demonstrating the increased growth and demand for long-term care services as the baby-boom generation grows older:

• The Department of Health and Human Services has reported that approximately 60 percent of people over the age of 65 will need some kind of long-term care services.
  
• The Government Accountability Office has reported projections of significant growth in spending on long-term care services for seniors such that spending could approach $379 billion by 2050.
  
• And our Nation's long-term care challenges will have a particularly significant impact on women, who make up more than 58 percent of Americans over the age of 65 and greater than two-thirds of people 85 years of age or older.

However, despite these growth projections, studies show that many Americans have a misunderstanding about the true cost of long-term care, or mistakenly believe this care is covered by public programs in which they already participate.

For instance, a 2006 AARP survey on the cost of long-term care found that 60 percent of people age 45 and older said they believe Medicare will pay for extended nursing home stay, which it does not. And more than 50 percent of people age 45 or older said they believe Medicare covers assisted living, which it does not.

And private-pay costs for this kind of care continue to go up. In South Dakota, the average cost of a year in a private room in a nursing home is $53,000, and a double-occupancy room averages well over $47,000.

Herseth Sandlin added, “An essential step in meeting the challenges posed by long-term care needs and costs is raising awareness about planning for long-term care. Education will help people understand the likelihood of needing long-term care, the types and costs of available services, and the options to help plan and pay for those services. The more people know, the greater opportunity people have to plan for their future and the more likely they are to receive the services they need in the setting of their choice.”

Herseth Sandlin’s resolution recognizing November 4-10 as Long-Term Care Awareness Week, H. Con Res 133, has earned the support of a wide variety of health care organizations spanning the spectrum of the industry, including AARP, Families USA, the Alzheimer's Association, the National Council on Aging, the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, the American Council of Life Insurers, the Association of Health Insurance Advisors, and America's Health Insurance Plans.

# # #

Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin serves South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats committed to fiscal discipline and strong national security, and is co-chair of the Rural Working Group, which is dedicated to raising the profile of issues important to rural America. She also serves on three committees vital to South Dakota’s interests: Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs and Natural Resources. In the 110th Congress, Rep. Herseth Sandlin was one of only 15 members appointed to serve on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.