A pivotal discussion on long-term care financing took center stage at the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs meeting in Massachusetts on June 24, 2025. LeadingAge Massachusetts, representing nonprofit providers of housing and services for older adults, emphasized the urgent need for innovative solutions to support the growing population of seniors requiring long-term care.

Alyssa, a representative from LeadingAge, highlighted the significant financial and emotional burdens families face when accessing necessary care. She pointed out that many families lack the resources to pay for long-term care privately, and the current reliance on Medicaid is unsustainable. This pressing issue has prompted Massachusetts to explore state-based insurance solutions for financing long-term services and supports.

The recent completion of an actuarial study, funded by the state, was a key focus of the meeting. This study aims to model various public and public-private options for long-term care financing. Alyssa encouraged committee members to review the findings presented in a recent webinar, which included insights from the WA Cares program, the first state long-term care insurance initiative in the nation. The director of WA Cares stressed the importance of forming a broad coalition of stakeholders to advance any new program.

The proposed legislation aims to establish a commission that will bring together various stakeholders to review the actuarial study results and explore collaborative financing options. Alyssa urged the committee to favorably report House Bill 792 and Senate Bill 476, marking a significant step toward creating a sustainable financing system for long-term care in Massachusetts.

As the meeting concluded, the urgency of addressing long-term care financing was clear, with stakeholders eager to move forward in ensuring that individuals and families receive the necessary support and care.