Parker Home Hosts Congressman Pallone’s Panel on Costs of Long-Term Care

Highland Park—On June 2nd, Parker Home® was proud to host an important roundtable discussion to address issues confronting long-term care in New Jersey. Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (NJ-06) led the roundtable discussion, which was moderated by Heather Howard, former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and Senior Services. Congressman Pallone was joined by a renowned group of stakeholders, providers, insurers, policy experts and consumers, including representatives from AARP, Amerigroup, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, and the Visiting Nurse Association.  

“Long-term care becomes a reality for so many of us eventually, which is exactly why we must be having important discussions like this frequently,” said Roberto Muñiz, President and CEO of Parker Home. “Being in a safe and secure environment that enhances the quality of life in old age is something that every person deserves, and we must ensure that it is available to all. I am glad we could host these distinguished speakers today and thank them for tackling these issues.” 

In 2009, Pallone attempted to include funding long-term care in the Affordable Care Act; his Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act was repealed. He is now working on adding a new section to Medicare law that would fund long-term care.

 “Long-term care is the one major health expense for which nearly all Americans are uninsured,” said Congressman Pallone. “In fact, nearly 7 in 10 people will need some level of long-term care after turning 65 for an average of three years. And that does not include so many young, healthy people who fall victim to life-altering events that leave them in need of long-term care services.” 

The roundtable discussion focused on the large burdens that long-term care places on elders, their families, as well as business and government programs.

Sally M. Adelman of the New Jersey Association of Health Plans remarked, “We have a population that’s increasing, healthcare costs that are increasing at the federal level every year, and extremely difficult budget pressures.” She added, “We have individuals who are not well-situated for the financing of their long-term care services and we have a system that is not on track for sustainable finance.”

Parker Home provides frequent programs for its residents as well as the community-at-large. Parker has a long-standing reputation of providing the ultimate in personalized, affordable high quality long-term care services in a home-like setting for over 100 years. Guided by the principles of the Eden Alternative®, Parker embraces and nurtures aging as a natural stage of life to be celebrated with compassion and enthusiasm.