Coming to A State Near You!

States across the country are considering initiatives that would create and fund staterun long-term care insurance programs. The Legislative Working Group (LWG), part of NAIFA’s Limited and Extended Care Planning Center (LECP), has been meeting regularly with NAIFA’s government relations department to explore and enhance policy positions for NAIFA through its government relations capabilities as it engages directly with state lawmakers and regulators. The group’s members reflect the expansive knowledge of carriers, brokerages, advisors, and independent agents on long-term care matters.

Based on data from the 2020 National Health Expenditure Accounts (NHEA) from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Medicaid program was the largest payer of longterm services and support expenses in 2018 (total payments of $159.1 billion). “Long-term services and supports” encompasses the broad range of paid and unpaid medical and personal care assistance that people may need – for several weeks, months, or years – when they have trouble completing self-care tasks due to aging, chronic illness, or disability. These substantial expenditures are followed by out-of-pocket spending by individuals ($55.0 billion).

While most agents have heard rumors that state Medicaid funds are running dangerously low, the truth is several states are now moving toward programs that require working individuals to contribute to state-run long-term care programs.

Currently, the LWG is wrapping up a review of wins and challenges of the Washington Cares Act. The passage of AB 567 (Calderon) established the LongTerm Care Insurance Task Force in the California Department of Insurance to explore the feasibility of developing and implementing a culturally competent statewide insurance program for longterm care services and supports. The group is discussing these developments as well. Our NAIFA government relations department also updates the LWG on the various stages of discussions or task forces in some 12 to 14 states.

We applaud states for taking the initiative to handle the graying of America and the pressures that accompany their respective care needs as well as the financial stress that current Medicaid programs are experiencing. However, we feel the LWG’s mix of experience and professional knowledge will help to guide more feasible and effective efforts to address the long-term care needs of all Americans. Remember that your membership includes the monthly edition of GovTalk.

Thank you to Members of the LECP Legislative Working Group

• Loida Abraham, Ritchie Financial

• Jeff Beligotti, New York Life

• Ryan Bivins, Pacific Life

• Louis Brownstone, California LongTerm Care Insurance Services, Inc.

• Steve Cain, LTCI Partners

• Corri Campbell, Mutual of Omaha

• Steve Forman, LTC Associates

• Carroll Golden, LECP

• Lori Gubash, Krause Financial Services

• Joe Guyotte, National Guardian Life Insurance Company

• Elie Harriett, Classic Insurance & Financial Services Co.

• Brandon Heskett, Securian

• Neil Himmelstein, Main Street Planning Group

• Angie Hughes, Producers XL

• Warren Jaffe, Genworth

• Sandra Jones, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

• David Kikoen, Think Outside Financial Strategies

• Henrick Larsen, LTC Agency Operations LLC

• Jeff Levin, OneAmerica

• Christine McCullough, LTC Solutions

• Larry Nisenson, Assured Allies

• Romeo Raabe, The Long Term Care Guy

• Mark Railsback, Genworth

• Tom Riekse, LTCI Partners

• Susan Ritchie, Ritchie Financial

• Roger Sims, New York Life

• Kevin Sypniewski, AGIS Network

• Robert Vandy, Advisors Insurance Brokers