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Congress should rally behind the PLAN Act
Nearly 70% of adults who reach age 65 will need some form of long-term care during their lifetime. Yet most families remain unprepared — financially, emotionally, and logistically — for what that reality can mean. Annual median care costs routinely exceed $60,000 and can quickly climb into six figures.
TL;DR
- Approximately 70% of adults aged 65 and older will need long-term care.
- Most families are financially, emotionally, and logistically unprepared for long-term care needs.
- Annual median long-term care costs can exceed $60,000 and reach six figures.
- Medicare has limited coverage for extended long-term care, and Medicaid requires spending down assets.
- Rep. Tom Suozzi's Planning for Long-term Aging Needs Act (PLAN Act) proposes a national public education initiative.
- The PLAN Act aims to provide clear information on care needs, costs, and planning options.
- Other legislative efforts include Suozzi's Well-Being Insurance for Seniors to be at Home Act and Sen. Jacky Rosen's Supporting Our Seniors Act.
- These proposals reflect a growing recognition of the unsustainability of the current long-term care system.
- Improving awareness and understanding of long-term care should be a shared priority across political divides.