Although the task forces and study commissions varied in their goals, the NCSL found they issued many of the same recommendations with the same underlying principles. The LTC system should be seamless, with coordinated funding and administration. The LTC system should encourage consumer information, choice, quality of care and safety. The LTC system should accommodate the preferences of consumers, most of whom prefer to remain independent and in their own homes and the community for as long as possible. By giving people choices in how and where they receive long-term care services everyone benefits.
Consumers get what they want.
Nursing home beds are reserved for those that truly need institutional care. It saves taxpayers money. It gives the State's the ability to pay a higher rate to nursing homes. Because these reform efforts are happening in states and out of the lime light of Washington DC., they have not received a great deal of attention.