Current Status Bill Number:980 Type of Legislation:Joint Resolution JR Introducing Body:Senate Introduced Date:19960109 Primary Sponsor:Giese All Sponsors:Giese, Passailaigue, Glover, Wilson, Washington, Lander, J. Verne Smith, Rose, Leatherman, Elliott, Mescher Drafted Document Number:PFM\7665AC.96 Companion Bill Number:4329 Residing Body:Senate Current Committee:Medical Affairs Committee 13 SMA Subject:Consumer financing of long-term care
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
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Senate 19960109 Introduced, read first time, 13 SMA
referred to Committee
Senate 19951204 Prefiled, referred to Committee 13 SMA
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TO DIRECT THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON AGING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CENTER FOR HEALTH POLICY, INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, TO EVALUATE AND STUDY OPTIONS FOR CONSUMER FINANCING OF LONG-TERM CARE AND TO REPORT AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Whereas, according to the 1990 Census there are approximately four hundred thousand people in South Carolina age sixty-five and over and this population is expected to continue to grow rapidly; and
Whereas, census data predicts that from 1980 to 2000 the number of persons over age seventy-five, the group most likely to need long-term care, will double; and
Whereas, there are currently as many as forty-three thousand homebound, frail elderly who need ongoing assistance with daily living needs and this number grows daily; and
Whereas, of the over eighty-five years of age population, forty-six percent will develop the need for acute care and hospitalization; and
Whereas, from 1965 to 1993, national health care expenditures rose at an annual rate nearly double the growth rate for inflation and these expenditures went from six percent to thirteen percent of the Gross National Product; and
Whereas, according to a study conducted by the Urban Institute, by 2002, South Carolina could face a reduction of approximately thirty percent in Medicaid funding, the primary funding source for public long-term care services; and
Whereas, with the projected dramatic increase in the number of persons over age sixty-five, the varied levels of long-term care needs of this population, and with the volatile nature of public funding for these service needs, it is becoming increasingly more important for individuals to take responsibility for planning and preparing financially for their own long-term care needs. However, the market for this financing is rapidly changing and growing, making it even more difficult for the consumer to make informed choices in planning for long-term care needs. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The Joint Legislative Committee on Aging in conjunction with the Center for Health Policy, Institute of Public Affairs, University of South Carolina, shall identify and study options for consumer financing of long-term care including, but not limited to, long-term care insurance, long-term care insurance public-private partnerships, individual and employer medical savings accounts, life insurance with accelerated death benefits, and the Medicaid Estate Recovery Act. Before January 1, 1997, the committee shall submit to the General Assembly a report of the results of this study, including policy and legislative recommendations and strategies for educating the public about these options and about the need for individuals to take responsibility for preparing financially for their long-term care needs.
SECTION 2. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.