National Senior and Disability Advocates Agree on Principles for Financing Long-Term Services an...( WASHINGTON Nov. 20 -- In a historic ...),Health

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a historic step toward a healthier, more equitable and affordable system for financing long-term services and supports, the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO) and the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) have agreed on a set of joint principles for reform.

Together, the two coalitions represent over 150 organizations representing seniors, people with disabilities, and providers of health, housing and supportive services. Their consensus on a new direction for financing these services puts millions of Americans behind the push for reform.

"Individuals and families should not be forced to impoverish themselves to cover the costs of services they or their family members need in the event of disability or advancing age," Marty Ford, CCD Chair and Director of Legal Advocacy for The Arc and UCP Disability Policy Collaboration, said. "Every family faces these potential costs, and we need to reform the system to support families and keep those in need at home and in their communities."

"Long-term services and supports put enormous strain on both families and government, and we must devise a solution before our fragmented system crumbles under the weight of the baby boom generation," said Edward Coyle, Chair of LCAO and Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans.

An estimated 10 million Americans currently have needs for long-term services. The number of individuals needing long-term services is projected to increase to 26 million by 2050. However, the nation lacks a coordinated, national public-private system for delivering long-term services and supports. Nearly half of all funding for these services is now provided through Medicaid, which is a growing burden on states and requires individuals to become and remain poor to receive the help they need. There is also an institutional bias in Medicaid wh
'/>"/>