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Clinton renews push for long-term care plan
Federal employees would have the option to buy private long-term care health insurance at group rates under a proposal revived by the White House Wednesday.
The Clinton administration proposed a 10-year, $28 billion plan that would improve funding and support options to make long-term care more affordable and accessible to those who need it, including federal workers.
The proposal echoes Clinton's call last year for a long-term care insurance program for federal employees, administered by the Office of Personnel Management.
Long-term care insurance covers the medical costs of extended illness. Covered expenses include home health care, nursing home care and assisted living facilities care.
Under the proposal, Uncle Sam would serve as a model employer by harnessing its purchasing power to get less costly group rates for federal employees who need long-term care insurance.
"This proposal will provide employers a nationwide model for offering quality long-term care insurance," the White House said in a statement.
The Office of Personnel Management anticipates that some 300,000 federal employees, retirees and their families would participate in the program.
The White House proposal requires Congress' approval. Currently there are three bills in the House and two in the Senate that propose ways to offer long-term care insurance to federal employees.
The bills would all require that participants pay the full costs of insurance premiums, unlike the regular Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, in which the government pays most of the premium.
RELATED STORIES:
Panel debates long-term care insurance bills
(March 19, 1999)
Three long-term care insurance bills offered
(March 17, 1999)
Clinton proposes long-term care insurance for feds
(Jan. 5, 1999)
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