title: Weighing public and private options for reforming long-term care financing: findings from a national survey of specialists.
abstract: Deficiencies in current long-term care (LTC) financing models are substantial and must be addressed if the nation is going to meet the needs of the growing population of frail and disabled elders. Because debate over reforming LTC financing has traditionally focused on the relative roles of the public and private sectors, this article examines what characteristics predispose LTC specialists to weigh one approach--public or private--more than the other. Data are derived from a Web-based survey of 1,147 individuals with known or demonstrable experience with LTC, including consumer advocates, provider representatives, policy experts, and public officials. Results suggest that support for spurring private sector mechanisms, bolstering the government's role, and reforming Medicare and Medicaid vary with key characteristics of the respondents, including experiential, attitudinal, and background variables. Findings also suggest consensus that reform of LTC financing should improve on the current public-private partnership in this area.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gerontology, McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125, USA. edward.miller@umb.edu
authors.forename: Edward Alan
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mor
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007353:Insurance, Long-Term Care / Q000191:economics; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D008297:Male; D008484:Medicaid / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D006278:Medicare / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D008511:Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D017149:Private Sector / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D017150:Public Sector / Q000191:economics; D055818:Public-Private Sector Partnerships / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D014481:United States