[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 62 (Thursday, May 18, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H3400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               INTRODUCTION OF LIVE LONG AND PROSPER ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, May is Older Americans Month, a time for 
Americans to celebrate the many contributions our seniors have made to 
this country. It is also a time to reflect upon the changing look of 
our society and to advance policies that meet the needs of this and 
future generations of older Americans. By the year 2030, the number of 
older Americans is expected to be more than double, to 70 million, 
representing one-fifth of our total population. As the number of 
elderly Americans increases, the need for long-term home or 
institutional care will become even more pressing.
  Are we now prepared to meet this future need? The sad fact is that 
neither the public nor the private sectors have adequately planned to 
meet this demand. In most cases, they are not aware that Medicaid 
requires divesting of assets and they do not understand that Medicare 
provides only minimal long-term care coverage. As for private 
insurance, it currently finances only an estimated 7 percent of long-
term care expenditures.
  Given America's ticking demographic time bomb, it is imperative that 
Congress address this issue now. That is why I rise today to introduce 
the Live Long and Prosper Act, which directly addresses what we must do 
now to help meet the needs of older Americans of the future. This 
comprehensive legislation builds upon the long-term care financing 
provisions created by the Health Insurance Portability and 
Accountability Act of 1996.
  To better prepare the public for long-term care expenses, first the 
bill provides for an above-the-line income tax deduction for the cost 
of long-term care insurance premiums for the taxpayer, his or her 
spouse and dependents. It also allows employers to provide long-term 
care insurance coverage as part of a cafeteria plan. Surprisingly, 
long-term care insurance currently is not allowed under these types of 
employer-employee arrangements.
  Third, the bill would provide a personal exemption to the more than 7 
million Americans who provide long-term custodial care for a relative 
in their home. Together, these provisions represent a market-based 
solution to the ever-growing demand for long-term care services and 
financing. But financial incentives alone will not advance the public's 
understanding of the need to plan for long-term care nor will they spur 
public debate on what more must be done.
  The Live Long and Prosper Act calls for a biannual national White 
House summit on long-term care. The summit will bring together experts 
in the fields of long-term care insurance, retirement savings, care 
givers and others and will be cohosted by the President and 
congressional leaders. Its goal is to design and develop 
recommendations for additional research, reforms in public policy and 
improvements required in the field of long-term care insurance.
  The bill also directs the Department of Labor to create and maintain 
an outreach program, to include public service announcements, forums, 
educational materials, and long-term care Internet sites. The 
Department of Health and Human Services will conduct studies focusing 
on the future demand for long-term care services and public and private 
options to finance them.
  Finally, the bill contains several other provisions designed to 
improve awareness of and to strengthen the process for long-term care 
information delivery.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, the Center for Long-term Care and Financing 
describes long-term care as the sleeping giant of all U.S. social 
problems. Demographic changes, quality of care concerns, the rising 
cost of nursing home care and limited public finances all cry out for 
action in this area and call on this body to make long-term care a top 
policy priority.
  I believe that the Live Long and Prosper Act is a comprehensive first 
step in what should be a bipartisan effort to address this vital issue. 
I urge my colleagues to cosponsor the bill and join me in this effort.

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