A new survey released earlier this week by the SCAN Foundation, shows that nearly 80 percent of people are more likely to support a health care reform proposal that improves coverage for long-term care services. Moreover, substantial majorities of Americans among all demographic groups, including gender, age, income and party affiliation, express deep concern about affording long-term care services as well as strong support for improving long-term care coverage as part of health reform. The results come as President Obama and policymakers in Washington D.C. debate health care reform packages they aim to complete by the end of July.

The National Omnibus Survey on Long-Term Care, conducted by Lake Research Partners on behalf of The SCAN Foundation gauged opinion on long-term care coverage and health care reform from over 1,000 random adults (aged 18 and older). The survey was conducted June 26 through June 29, 2009 and has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.

Following is a summary of the survey

Concern for Cost and Quality

• A large majority of Americans – 79 percent – are concerned about their ability to pay for long-term care for themselves or a family member in the future, with nearly half (46 percent) feeling very concerned
• An overwhelming 92 percent of people say it is important to improve coverage for services that help people remain in their home instead of going into a nursing home

Widespread Support for Long-Term Care

• Nearly eight in ten Americans (78 percent) say health care reform would benefit them personally if it included improved coverage for home and community-based long-term care services
• A similar proportion (80 percent) supports including improved coverage for these long-term care services as part of health reform
• In fact, 79 percent say they would be more likely to support a health reform proposal that included improved coverage for home and community-based long-term care services.

ABOUT THE SCAN FOUNDATION

The SCAN Foundation is an independent nonprofit foundation dedicated to advancing the development of a sustainable continuum of quality care for seniors that integrates medical treatment and human services in the settings most appropriate to their needs and with the greatest likelihood of a healthy, independent life. The SCAN Foundation supports programs that stimulate public engagement, develop realistic public policy and financing options, and disseminate promising care models and technologies.