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Taxation is the primary way governments fund essential programs and services. The following principles support this goal while also ensuring equity in how revenues are raised.
These principles reflect AARP’s vision for reforming the financing and delivery of long-term services and supports (LTSS) to promote consumer independence, choice, dignity, autonomy, and privacy.
The high cost of long-term services and supports (LTSS) causes many older adults to fear impoverishment, becoming a burden to their families, or both.
In 2020, 38.9 million adults provided unpaid care to an adult family member or friend with health or functional needs.
Federal and state governments should ensure that long-term services and supports (LTSS) programs cover services that support and supplement caregiving by relatives, friends, and neighbors.
Federal and state governments should provide tax credits, other financial assistance, or both to caregivers.
Federal policymakers should develop a comprehensive system for financing Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) that includes a new social insurance program to provide a basic level of LTSS.
Ideally, the federal government should finance LTSS through a universal, comprehensive, and publicly administered program such as Medicare or similar social insurance program of shared risk.
Title III of the Older Americans Act (OAA) provides funding for a wide range of long-term services and supports (LTSS), social, and nutritional services.