President Clinton proposes the same amount for next year. It's important to act on two fronts. We should use existing resources to meet a pressing need. The family caregiver support proposal does this by adding services to a successful network of aging centers. We also have to fund good programs that serve older Americans at full levels.
Peace of mind can come from access to quality services.
I hope all of these activities paint a positive picture of long-term care's future. There is greater recognition in Congress than ever before of the challenges facing our aging nation. Sure, our country is aging, and that demographic shift creates new needs, but we're meeting those needs. We're researching cures for Alzheimer's disease. We're making our older loved ones comfortable and secure.