|
|
|
|
|
||
|
An overflow crowd participated in yesterday's groundbreaking Long-Term Care Financing Solutions Public Forum at the Dole Institute in Lawrence. The event brought together providers, consumers, academicians, students, policy makers and advocates for a discussion about how to make long-term services and supports (LTSS) affordable in Kansas. AAHSA CEO Larry Minnix was among the panel of distinguished presenters. The primary "take away" from the day was the need to include long term care in health care reform efforts. There was also consensus that extensive public education is needed to dispel myths about how long term care is and is not funded and to encourage families to prepare for their long term care needs. The Forum was the fifth of its kind in the nation and was sponsored by KAHSA, AAHSA, AARP- Kansas and the Alzheimer's Association. KAHSA plans to publish a follow-up white paper, establish a web-based forum for continued discussion, make a DVD of the event available and will determine other steps to facilitate continued discussion and action. Stay tuned for more. In the meantime, send a message to Congress today that long-term care must be included in the current discussions about health care reform. Note: Kansas Public Radio ran a story earlier this week about the forum and the need to reform LTSS financing. |