On the recordFebruary 1, 2012
I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for yielding. H.R. 1173 would eliminate the potential for many of our citizens to be able to afford long-term care that provides services and other supports. This effort to remove support services is not the solution, but instead a faulty and irresponsible policy initiative which would burden people in our health systems. Regardless of when individuals may need these services, there is a lack of financing options to help them pay for the services they need to maintain their health, independence, and dignity when they lose the capacity to perform basic daily activities without assistance. Medicare does provide limited pay for long-term care services. Medicaid does cover, but pays only for services for people with very limited means. Many private long-term care insurance plans are costly and difficult to acquire. I say that the real answer is to retain services that we are currently poised to provide. I oppose H.R. 1173.
