Long-Term Care Commission Releases Report and Recommendations
After several weeks of fast-tracked deliberations, the Commission on Long-Term Care released recommendations and a final report to Congress (pdf) at its final public meeting on September 18.
Staff Director Lawrence Atkins offered an overview of the report and recommendations, followed by statements from each of the Commissioners with regard to his or her perspective on the Commission’s work.
In order to attract and retain a workforce capable of providing high quality, person- and family-centered services and supports to individuals across all long-term services and supports (LTSS) settings, the Commission recommends:
- meaningful career ladders and lattices for direct-care workers;
- integrating direct-care workers into care teams;
- data collection on the LTSS workforce; and
- encouraging states to improve standards and establish certification processes for home care workers.
Many of these recommendations mirror ones made by PHI in testimony (pdf) before the Commission on July 17th.
Five of the 15 Commissioners — including Laphonza Butler, Henry Claypool, Judy Feder, Lynnae Ruttledge, and Judith Stein — dissented from the final report. Several of the dissenters cited the failure of the Commission to issue a consensus recommendation on a comprehensive plan for LTSS financing as the reason for their opposition.
Their report will be available on September 23rd.
At the meeting, all of the present Commissioners promoted action to address the nation’s LTSS challenges, and many noted that consideration of the issue should continue.
The Commission report recommends the creation of a subsequent national advisory committee to continue to advance the Commission’s recommendations and potential financing frameworks.
Commissioner Judy Stein, executive director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy, implored Congress to act, saying, “I urge all policymakers to take action because we need action now.”
— by Gail MacInnes, PHI National Policy Analyst
