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Kennedy's healthcare reform bill includes a long-term care provision

MDS 3.0 Update, June 15, 2009

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Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), chairman of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), released the Affordable Health Choices Act, a bill that aims to overhaul the nation’s healthcare system, on June 9. The 615-page bill includes a provision for long-term care that would provide more healthcare options for elderly and disabled individuals who wish to remain in their homes. The bill also aims to reduce healthcare costs, make health insurance more affordable, and improve access to quality care.

“Our healthcare system is a crisis for American families and President Obama and members of Congress of both parties recognize the urgency of the problem. Our goal is to strengthen what works and fix what doesn’t,” Senator Kennedy said. “Much work remains, and the coming days and weeks won’t be easy. But we have a unique opportunity to give the American people, at long last, the healthcare they need and deserve.”

According to a Senate press release, the five main components of the Affordable Health Choices Act are:

• Choice: The bill will provide new, more affordable health insurance options for people who are unhappy with their current insurance or do not have insurance. Individuals who like their current healthcare coverage may keep it.
• Cost reduction: The bill will lower healthcare costs through stronger prevention, better quality of care, information technology, and efforts to reduce fraud and abuse.
• Prevention: The bill will promote prevention and education efforts and early screening for certain health conditions.
• Health systems modernization: The bill will work to ensure all healthcare professionals receive adequate training and care is better coordinated.
• Long-term care and services: The bill will establish support services and programs to assist elderly and disabled people who want to live at home, rather than in an institution.

A draft of the Affordable Health Choices Act can be found on the Resources page of MDSCentral.

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