The Commission Would Provide Regular Reporting To Congress On Issues Impacting Access to Quality Long-Term Care Services to Help Increase Seniors’ Access To Affordable Health Care
WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and John Boozman (R-AR) introduced the bipartisan Supporting Our Seniors Act to create a National Advisory Commission on long-term care services for seniors and individuals in need of support for activities of daily living. The commission would assess and provide regular reporting to Congress on service delivery, financing, workforce adequacy, and other issues related to long-term care in order to help increase seniors’ and individuals with disabilities access to affordable care services.
“Having cared for my aging parents, I know how important access to affordable, quality care and support services can be for families and their loved ones,” said Senator Rosen. “Our bipartisan legislation would help to increase access to long-term care by creating a commission to examine the challenges and needs in care services. This legislation will help provide invaluable information to Congress so that we can develop better solutions to ensure seniors have access to the care and support that they deserve.”
“Americans are living longer and their health care needs will continue to evolve,” said Senator Boozman. “Establishing a national advisory commission will help us better prepare for future challenges in regards to coordinating services, training a workforce to meet seniors’ and individuals’ with disabilities needs as well as providing information and options to empower them and their caregivers with the resources available. I’m pleased to join Senator Rosen in leading this bipartisan initiative.”
“Affordable long-term care services for seniors and other individuals is paramount to a strong healthcare system,” said Michelle Webb, DNP, RN, CHPCA, President of the Hospice & Palliative Nurses Association, and Ginger Marshall, MSN, ACNP-BC, ACHPN, FPCN, CEO of the Hospice & Palliative Nurses Association. “Creating a Commission on Long Term Care is just the first step in ensuring seniors have access to the care they need. The importance of including individuals with experience in Palliative Care on the Commission is extremely important in the formation of this venture, as they have the unique skill set, training, and education to care for people who need long-term care. On behalf of the Hospice & Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA), and our nearly 10,000 members we commend Senators Rosen and Boozman in introducing the Supporting Our Seniors Act to further address the need for affordable, accessible long term care in the United States.”
“Access to comprehensive, person-centered care should be a right, not a privilege, for every American,” said Ben Marcantonio, Interim CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. “NHPCO is proud to endorse the Supporting Our Seniors Act and thank Senators Rosen and Boozman for prioritizing the future of the hospice and palliative care community through this bipartisan commission addressing long-term care.”
“The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine is proud to offer its strong support for the Supporting Our Seniors Act, and we commend Sen. Rosen and Sen. Boozman for their leadership in recognizing the important role palliative care plays in improving the lives of people residing in long-term care,” said American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine President Holly Yang, MD, HMDC, FACP, FAAHPM. “A growing number of older Americans are living with serious or complex chronic illnesses, and more families are facing demanding caregiving responsibilities. Prioritizing and addressing their palliative care needs is critical to ensure that older adults and those with serious illness receive the right care when and where they want to receive it.”
As co-founder and co-chair of the Senate’s bipartisan Comprehensive Care Caucus, Senator Rosen has been a leader in helping Nevada’s seniors access quality long-term care. Senator Rosen recently introduced a pair of bills that would help increase the number of doctors trained in palliative care and improve hospice care for patients by increasing access to blood transfusions for those who rely on this care to maintain quality of life. She also introduced the Expanding Access to Palliative Care Act to provide comprehensive palliative care services much earlier in the course of illness, helping improve both the quality of care for patients and their families and the outcomes of treatment.
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