HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

SUPPORT OF LONG-TERM CARE ASSISTANCE PLAN

WHEREAS, people with disabilities are entitled to the best care possible which, with adequate resources, can be provided by family members and care givers in their homes or community settings; and

WHEREAS, hundreds of thousands of professionals and family members provide essential care every day to people with disabilities throughout the nation; and

WHEREAS, family resources are often greatly depleted in order to pay for essential home care,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors supports proposals that would defray the long-term care costs for individuals with severe disabilities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors supports the President’s proposed $3,000 tax credit for people with long-term care needs or their care givers, which would increase the nation’s total investment in long-term care to $28 billion over 10 years; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors also supports legislation to provide funding for services supporting family care givers of persons with disabilities, improve equity in Medicaid eligibility for people in home and community-based settings; encourage partnerships between low-income housing and Medicaid; and encourage the purchase of quality private long-term care insurance by Federal employees.