Health Law

The Need for Long-term Care Reform

Last month, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services wrote a Letter to the Editor entitled 'Taking Care of Our Caregivers.' The letter appeared in the Washington Post and addressed the current challenge facing the caregiving community and those they serve. 

 
Long-term care, which is often necessary for children with more severe cases of cerebral palsy, can be extremely expensive. In fact, the lifetime cost of care can exceed $1 million. However, the expenses of long-term care are not easily covered and this puts a serious financial strain on many families.

In addition, long-term caregivers are often overworked and turnover tends to be high. As the Secretary states in her letter, it's necessary to make changes in the system that will make long-term care a more attractive career choice.

It's natural for parents to want the best care possible for their child, but it's no secret that healthcare changes are needed to ensure that all individuals with long-term care needs receive the high-quality care they deserve.

United Cerebral Palsy is one of several organizations advocating for the inclusion of long-term care and support services in healthcare reform. Visit the UCP website to find out what you can do to help.

 

Full post as published by Cerebral Palsy Law Blog on June 07, 2009 (boomark / email).