Page 26 - The Indian EYE 052926

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MAY 29, 2026 | The Indian Eye 26

Congressman Suozzi Tackles Long

Term Care Crisis With Bipartisan

Public Education Campaign

OUR BUREAU op and implement, as part of the Na-
tional Clearinghouse for Long-Term
Washington, D.C.
Care Information, a public education
ongressman Suozzi (D–Long initiative on the need for individuals
Island, Queens) introduced a to plan for long-term care. Far too
Cbipartisan bill to ensure that many American families face caring
aging adults have a plan for their long- for their loved ones with little to no
term care. The Planning for Long- financial resources, and they don’t
term Aging Needs (PLAN) Act, co-led know where to turn for help. This bill
by Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL), launches is a critical step forward in addressing
a public campaign to educate families this pressing challenge,” said Ramsey
about the necessity of planning for Alwin, President and CEO The Na-
long term care, helping them avoid tional Council on Aging (NCOA).
the financial crisis that hits many “Our long-term care system is
families when their loved ones age. complex, opaque, and difficult to
This commonsense bill is part of navigate. Education is a vital com-
Congressman Suozzi’s long-held ded- ponent of ensuring strong access to
ication to addressing the long-term care and easing the immense burden
care crisis in this country. The PLAN on individuals and their caregivers as
Act complements his Well-Being In- adults over the age of 50 have thought The bipartisan PLAN Act has they navigate options for loved ones.
surance for Seniors to be at Home about how they will care for them- the support of the National Council The ‘Planning for Long-Term Aging
(WISH) Act, which creates a federal selves if they become disabled, and on Aging (NCOA), LeadingAge, the Needs Act of 2026,’ or the ‘PLAN
catastrophic long-term care insurance about half of adults mistakenly be- Bipartisan Policy Center Action, the Act of 2026,’ provides much-needed
program coupled with a robust pri- lieve Medicare will cover long-term American Council of Life Insurers infrastructure to ensure more individ-
vate sector insurance market. services like nursing home care or a (ACLI), the National Association uals are aware of their long-term care
“As our country faces a looming home health aide. With more than of Insurance and Financial Advisors options and can make plans that align
long-term care crisis, now is the time 10,000 Americans turning 65 every (NAIFA), Finseca, Genworth Finan- with their wishes. This is a much-need-
to ensure our future generations have day, this betrays a major gap in long- cial, Northwestern Mutual, New York ed first step toward a broader conver-
the tools they need to age with dignity,” term care planning that will turn into Life Insurance, and Nationwide. sation about long-term care education
said Congressman Suozzi. “More than a financial crisis for many families as “I commend Congressman Tom and financing that is urgently needed.
70% of American seniors will require their loved ones age. Suozzi for continuing to serve as a We thank Reps. Suozzi and Bean for
some form of long-term care during The PLAN Act addresses this champion for long-term care solu- introducing this important piece of
their lifetime, but most don’t plan problem by working with the De- tions. Today, Representatives Tom legislation,” said Katie Smith Sloan,
for it while they’re still working. This partment of Health and Human Suozzi and Aaron Bean introduced President and CEO of LeadingAge,
commonsense bill helps impress upon Services to create a public education a bill that will direct the Secretary of the association of nonprofit providers
American families the importance of campaign to encourage families and Health and Human Services to devel- of aging services.
planning ahead and averting financial working age adults to plan ahead for
crises instead of compromising on their long-term care needs during
quality care for their loved ones.” retirement. The inspiration for this
“Far too many Americans under- legislation came from the 2005 Own
estimate the importance of long-term Your Future campaign, which lever-
care planning until they are faced with aged TV, radio, and mail outreach to
limited options and significant stress. encourage the public to consider how
This bill will help empower individu- they will plan for long-term care. That
als to plan ahead and make informed campaign resulted in thousands more
decisions that work best for them- families planning for long-term care.
selves and their families. I’m honored As the baby boomer population
to be working across the aisle with approaches retirement age and it be-
Congressman Suozzi to advance this comes clear that few are adequately
commonsense legislation,” said Con- prepared for the long-term care costs
gressman Bean. they may face, now is the time to en-
Almost 70% of seniors will need sure that future generations have the
some level of long-term care as they tools they need to age with dignity.
get older. However, less than 30% of The PLAN Act does just that.

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