How will we fund long-term care?

THE recent decision by the Supreme Court in relation to nursing home charges, while welcome, does not address the longer-term issue of how we will pay for long-term care.

Comprehensive state support for home-based, long-term care, the explicit preference for most, is not consistent with the existing in-built bias towards hospital and nursing home care. Neither is it consistent with a low taxation policy.

We believe that, as a society, there needs to be more discussion on what level of additional taxation is appropriate in order to pay for our long-term care.

The Mercer report on the future financing of long-term care suggests that an increase in PRSI rates of 2.1% (€11 or so per week for the average worker) would be sufficient to provide significantly for state-funded, long-term care over the next 50 years. It is suggested that these funds could go towards the cost of nursing home care or home-based care.

Already the state is experimenting with home-based subventions in a number of regions. Initial reports suggest they are cost-effective and add to the quality of life for those concerned. Most importantly, they offer a degree of choice to vulnerable people as to how they are to be cared for.

However, the new Health Service Executive will have its hands full in attempting to negotiate additional funds for this area.

Many people already feel they pay too much tax. Depending on which measurement you use, Ireland is either a moderately low or particularly low taxed nation compared to most EU states.

The national health strategy of 2001 gave explicit support for the development of primary care teams throughout the state, with accessible ancillary services. To date only 10 have been set up.

We in Care Alliance support the work of organisations concerned with carers’ needs, and the realisation of choice in relation to how their loved ones can be best cared for.

For More Information: http://www.examiner.ie/pport/web/opinion/Full_Story/did-sgcqdA476K1EQsg0aewFBADppk.asp