While announcing the six appointments to the new Long Term Care Insurance Task Force, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Luna said, “Our new Long Term Care Insurance Task Force will explore greater options for Californians to help them age with dignity and security. With their deep experience in insurance, culturally competent care and services, and the health needs of older Californians, these Task Force members are ready for the challenge of envisioning a statewide insurance program that is sustainable and meets the needs of our growing diverse population. The health disparities exposed by the current pandemic on our aging population and the services and supports they will need in coming years make this Task Force even more critical today.”
Luna has been a strong supporter of the legislation that has resulted in the Long Term Care Insurance Task Force being established within the California Department of Insurance. He believes this will help address the need of older Californians for long-term care services and insurance.
Exploring the design and implementation possibilities for an insurance care program that would provide choices to people across the state interested in insuring themselves for a future where they might need long-term care and support in the event of a cognitive or functional disability, would be the goal for the Task Force, created by Governor Gavin Newsom signing AB 567 (Calderon, Chapter 746, Statutes of 2019).
Chaired by the Insurance Commissioner, the 15-member Task Force also includes:
- the Director of the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) or his designee,
- the Director of the California Department of Aging or her designee,
- six individuals appointed by the Commissioner,
- four individuals appointed by the Governor,
- one appointment made by the Speaker of the Assembly,
- and one appointment made by the Senate Committee on Rules.
Supporting the formation of the Task Force, DHCS Director Will Lightbourne said, “The lack of affordable long-term care is a serious threat to the well-being of many Californians, and yet another symptom of the systemic inequities in our health and social support systems. I’m pleased to join this task force and work on solutions that will increase access to long-term care and help provide healthy and dignified lives for our aging populations.”
California Department of Aging Director Kim McCoy Wade added in support, “Affording the care we need as we age, so we can live where we choose in the community, is a top priority for the thousands of Californians we heard from in developing the Governor’s Master Plan for Aging, released in January. Innovative public-private leadership and partnership, such as this new Task Force provides, are essential to developing effective and equitable solutions. I’m eager to work with Commissioner Lara and members of the Task Force to move this important work forward.”
With an inaugural meeting in early spring 2021, the Task Force hopes to submit a feasibility report for the Commissioner, the Governor, and the Legislature by January 1, 2023 which will be analyzed by an actuarial team to ensure both a program that is solvent and that delivers adequate benefit. The target date for submission of the actuarial feasibility report is January 1, 2024
More details available at: https://www.insurance.ca.gov/0500-about-us/