The aging of Americans will only increase the need for quality long-term care options. The number of people 85 years or older, nearly half of whom need assistance with everyday activities, will grow even faster. These facilities have a total of 3920 nursing care beds, the fewest of any state in the nation. Hawaii s ratio of 240 nursing care beds per 1000 individuals is the second lowest in the nation, leaving many Hawaii families with no choice but to care for aging family members at home. Families, who are the primary caregivers for people with long-term care needs, pay a big price for this care.
Private insurance is an important but relatively new and untested option.
Employers are only beginning to learn how to provide these benefits to their workers. In May, the House approved H.R.4040, the Long Term Care Security Act, by voice vote. Abercrombie cosponsored similar legislation, H.R.110 and H.R.1111. Each of these bills would make long-term care insurance available to active and retired federal civilian employees, military personnel and their families. The President recently signed H.R.4040 into law.