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Providers, insurers and advocates back special commission to study a state long‑term care benefit
Summary
LeadingAge Massachusetts, NAIFA and other provider and insurance groups urged the Joint Committee to create a special commission (House 792 / Senate 476) to review actuarial options and stakeholder solutions for a statewide long‑term services and supports benefit program.
Officials from provider groups, insurance advisors and actuaries urged creation of a special commission to study statewide long‑term services and supports (LTSS) financing options and public‑private collaborations.
Witnesses including Adam Sachs (National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors of Massachusetts), Josh O'Gara (NAIFA Massachusetts), Steve Schoen (actuary/consultant) and Alyssa Sherman (LeadingAge Massachusetts) testified in support of House Bill 792 and Senate Bill 476, which would establish a commission to evaluate models for a statewide long‑term services and supports benefit.
Representatives of NAIFA and actuarial consultants said the commission should study public‑private collaboration models and learn from other states that have experimented with payroll‑deducted or public option programs such as Washington, Minnesota and California. "We need to make sure that the individuals that have taken responsibility to transfer the risk ... are not disadvantaged," said Adam Sachs, urging that any public option be accompanied by education about private options.
Actuarial consultant Steve Schoen described the need for ongoing incentives to encourage purchase of coverage rather than a one‑time enrollment window. He urged the commission to consider a continuing enrollment and public‑private incentives to reach middle‑income families who otherwise become eligible for Medicaid after short long‑term care episodes.
LeadingAge Massachusetts President Alyssa Sherman said Massachusetts must develop financing options because private long‑term care insurance has not met demand and MassHealth reliance is unsustainable. She noted an actuarial study commissioned by the Commonwealth has been completed and that the commission should review the report and advise next steps.
No vote was taken; testimony supported moving the commission bill forward so stakeholders can study feasible, inclusive financing approaches.
