Cantwell’s work effective

Our nation is aging at an increasing rate. With this population increase, we are experiencing a rising demand for in-home and community-based long-term care services and supports. Luckily, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell has been working to ensure our seniors and persons with disabilities have access to long-term care information and services.

I want to commend her for successfully amending the health care bill currently under consideration by the Senate Finance Committee to reform states’ long-term care systems by offering them an enhanced Medicaid matching rate if they are willing to implement programs that promote home- and community-based services. Sen. Cantwell has also offered other amendments to strengthen non-Medicaid home- and community-based services while keeping older adults healthier, which are based on her bill, S. 1257, known as Project 2020. I support her continued efforts to include these innovative, tested and efficient long-term care initiatives in the health care bill, as they promote better services while driving savings to Medicaid/Medicare, states and individuals.

Please join with me in asking the Senate Finance Committee and the full Senate to support Sen. Cantwell’s efforts.

Nick Beamer

Executive Director, Aging & Long Term Care

of Eastern Washington

Spokane