Long term disability coverage stirring health care debate
December 14th, 2009By Robert Pear in the New York Times:
A proposal to provide long-term coverage to people with disabilities and chronic illness is roiling debate in Congress. The measure was included in health care legislation passed by the House.
Advocates say the proposal, drafted several years ago by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, is long overdue and would help people with severe disabilities who want to live in the community. Critics on both sides of the aisle say it is financially unsustainable and would rack up huge debts.
Senator Christopher J. Dodd (D-CT) said the benefits would allow people with disabilities to “live out their lives with decency and dignity.”
“What’s the alternative?” Mr. Dodd asked. “Getting rid of all your assets, impoverishing yourself, relying on your family or friends to take care of you in order to try to survive.”
Our RSS Feed
December 14th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
I lobby to get people out of institutions every year on a state level. For most, it’s cheaper to care for somebody in the home. I’ll never understand the opposition who says it’s not. Now three states, up from two Vermont, Nevada and Alaska – have more than 95 percent of individuals served living in home-like settings http://www.ucp.org/medicaid/stateranks.cfm