GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993

H	1 

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1456

–––––––––––––––––––- 
Sponsors: Representatives Gardner; Justus and Bowman.

–––––––––––––––––––- 
Referred to:  Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.

–––––––––––––––––––- 

May 17, 1993

A JOINT RESOLUTION REQUIRING THE NORTH CAROLINA STUDY COMMISSION ON AGING TO STUDY THE ISSUE OF THE PROVISION OF LONG-TERM CARE.
Whereas, over the past 20 years, the increased demand for long-term care has multiplied health care expenditures and placed State assistance programs in a financial crisis; and 
Whereas, older adults now comprise the fastest growing segment of our population and by the beginning of the next century will make up 13% of North Carolina's total population; and 
Whereas, the number of North Carolina's adults aged 85 and older is expected to increase from 70,000 to almost 160,000 by the year 2010; and 
Whereas, this segment of our population experiences the highest rate of physical and health impairments; and 
Whereas, this growing elderly population, together with a decreased rate of mortality, has left North Carolina unprepared to accommodate growing long-term care needs; and 
Whereas, Medicaid was originally intended to provide health care for the underprivileged, primarily underprivileged women and children; and 
Whereas, the use of Medicaid funding has become such standard practice for so much more than that for which it was initially intended that 70% of all nursing home patients in North Carolina are financed by the government and 38% of the total Medicaid budget is being spent on long-term care; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
Section 1.  The North Carolina Study Commission on Aging, established by Article 21 of Chapter 120 of the General Statutes, shall study the issues involved with providing long-term care to the elderly in North Carolina.  In conducting its study and making its recommendations, the Commission may consider:
(1)	Providing incentives for individuals to purchase their own long-term care insurance, such as individual tax-exempt Medicaid accounts;
(2)	Creating a viable market for private long-term care insurance to make it easier for individuals to purchase insurance and to reduce the State's financial role, such as has been accomplished by the Maryland Partnership for Long-Term Care;
(3)	Assisting in developing methods for increasing access to and affordability of long-term care insurance, with consideration given to protection against inflation as well as protection of equity;
(4)	Providing mechanisms for individuals to qualify for coverage of the costs for their long-term care needs under the Medicaid Assistance Program without being required to exhaust substantially all their resources;
(5)	Educating the public about the need for long-term care insurance reform through citizens' groups, the Department of Insurance, and the media; and 
(6)	Examining other states' experiences, such as the Oregon long-term care experience, as examples of how a state may effectively balance community and institutional care.
The Commission shall complete this study, together with legislative proposals in time for the Commission's report to the 1995 General Assembly.
Sec. 2.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.