[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 121 (Tuesday, September 11, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FEDERAL LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE PROGRAM

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                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 11, 2012

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Federal 
Long Term Care Insurance Program on its 10th anniversary. The Program 
was established by the Long-Term Care Security Act, and I am proud to 
have been the lead Democratic cosponsor of that legislation. The 
Program provides long term care coverage to active and retired federal 
and postal workers and uniformed servicemembers who participate in the 
program, and it covers care received at home, an assisted living 
facility, or a nursing home. Since the Program's implementation in 
2002, it has become the largest private long-term care insurance 
program in the nation with about 270,000 enrollees. Although it is an 
employer-sponsored program, 100% of its costs are funded by enrollees, 
not the federal government or taxpayers.
  The Program has increased awareness in the federal community about 
long term care issues and needs, helped enrollees provide for the high 
cost of long term care, and provided participants with the opportunity 
to take control of their future long term care needs. Before we created 
the Program, long term care services were not covered by Medicare or 
the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. The Department of 
Veterans Affairs offered only limited benefits, while Medicaid provided 
coverage only to the very poor. Since 2002, the Program has paid out 
almost $200 million in claims, with a claim approval rate of 97-98%.
  As the American population, and the baby boom generation in 
particular, continues to age, there will be an increased need for vital 
long term care services in this country. In 2009, more than $250 
billion was spent nationwide on long term care services, including 
nursing home and other assisted-living services. According to the 
Department of Health and Human Services, at least 70% of people over 
age 65 will require some long term care services at some point in their 
lives.
  I am very pleased to recognize the great achievements of the Federal 
Long Term Care Insurance Program in assisting enrollees and their 
families in financing their future long term care needs and in 
shielding their retirement savings and assets from the increasing costs 
of long term care services. I look forward to the continued success of 
the Program as it begins its second decade of voluntary coverage for 
our dedicated federal community of civilian and postal workers and 
members of the armed services.

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