For Immediate
Release: May 11, 2004
Audio
Clip
Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson
Bill to Help Oklahomans with Long-Term Care Signed
Legislation to encourage more Oklahomans
to purchase long-term care insurance has been signed into
law. Senator Kathleen
Wilcoxson, R-OKC, is author of Senate Bill 1547, a measure
aimed at helping Oklahomans meet their long-term care needs
without forcing them into poverty.
“Right now, people who are able to plan ahead for
long-term care don’t have much incentive to do so.
Many sign away assets or are basically forced into poverty
in order to be able to get Medicaid assistance for long-term
care. This legislation will help create a long-term care
partnership to offer Oklahomans an alternative to spending
down their entire life savings,” Wilcoxson explained.
Under the legislation, those who purchase long-term care
insurance and then exhaust their benefits would still be
able to keep assets equal to the amount of the policy and
remain eligible for Medicaid assistance.
“In the long-run, this will reduce the amount that
our state is paying to help Oklahomans with long-term care,
because more of them will have an incentive to purchase
at least some level of coverage,” said Rep. Joan
Greenwood. The Moore Republican authored a similar measure
in the House this session and is co-author of Wilcoxson’s
bill.
Sen. Wilcoxson pointed out that Congress still needed to
authorize Oklahoma’s program. Wilcoxson also authored
a resolution in the Oklahoma legislature calling on Congress
to pass federal legislation addressing the issue.
“This is something that is going to benefit Oklahomans
as well as our already overly strained Medicaid program.
I am pleased Gov.
Henry agrees and I’m optimistic that Congress
will pass the necessary authorization,” Wilcoxson
said.
For
more information contact:
Senate
Communications Office - (405) 521-5774
