PRINTER'S NO. 2235

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

No. 274 Session of 2002

        INTRODUCED BY MURPHY, MOWERY, M. WHITE, TOMLINSON, THOMPSON,
           BRIGHTBILL, GREENLEAF, WENGER, ROBBINS, MUSTO, LEMMOND,
           KUKOVICH, LOGAN, KITCHEN, ERICKSON, EARLL, DENT, COSTA,
           CONTI, ARMSTRONG, BOSCOLA, MELLOW, O'PAKE, SCARNATI,
           SCHWARTZ, STACK, TARTAGLIONE, WAGNER, WOZNIAK AND
           C. WILLIAMS, SEPTEMBER 24, 2002

        INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, SEPTEMBER 24, 2002

                                  A RESOLUTION

     1  Designating the week of October 1 through 7, 2002, as "Long-Term
     2     Care Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.

     3     WHEREAS, The Federal Medicare program does not provide for
     4  long-term care costs; and
     5     WHEREAS, The Medicaid program, jointly funded by Federal and
     6  state governments, only pays for long-term care after assets are
     7  depleted; and
     8     WHEREAS, The current cost of long-term care ranges from
     9  $22,000 to $84,000 per year; and
    10     WHEREAS, Those persons who have saved for retirement have, on
    11  the average, saved only $34,000; and
    12     WHEREAS, Only a small percentage of the population can
    13  accurately estimate the cost of long-term care; and
    14     WHEREAS, Only about 8% of the population has long-term care
    15  insurance; and
    16     WHEREAS, Advocates for and providers of long-term care are

     1  actively engaged in helping to educate the public on long-term
     2  care using the theme "Conversation, Action, Reform and
     3  Experiences" or "C.A.R.E."; and
     4     WHEREAS, Recent studies have shown that there is reluctance
     5  in families to discuss the need for long-term care services and
     6  the wishes of the spouse, sibling or child who may need those
     7  services; therefore be it
     8     RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the week of October 1
     9  through 7, 2002, as "Long-Term Care Awareness Week" in
    10  Pennsylvania and urge all citizens to learn about long-term care
    11  options including the need for long-term care insurance; and be
    12  it further
    13     RESOLVED, That the Senate continue to address comprehensive
    14  strategies for the delivery of accessible and adequately funded
    15  programs for vulnerable citizens in need of long-term care and
    16  services.










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