Panel votes to sweeten long-term care insurance

The House Government Reform Committee approved a bill Wednesday that sweetens the terms for federal employees who buy private long-term care policies at a group discount, under the authority of a federal law passed last year (PL 106-265).

The bill (H.R. 2559) passed by voice vote.

According to the committee, the measure would allow certain individuals who are now ineligible for the program to join and buy the insurance. They are persons who are receiving a deferred annuity, or a survivor annuity based on a deferred annuity.

People with such annuities are not now eligible to participate.

In addition, the bill would exempt policies issued under the program from premium taxes imposed by states, local governments, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, according to the committee.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Joe Scarborough, R-Fla.