Gubernatorial Candidate Statement:
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Long-term care is crucial to Virginians with Alzheimer's disease and their caring family members. I believe that those with Alzheimer's disease should have afforded to them the ability to lead the most independent life as possible. It is time to pass the Caregivers Investment Bill. The legislation would provide up to a $500 tax credit for families with moderate means who care for disabled or elderly relatives in their home. The overwhelming majority of long-term care comes from family members looking after their relatives in their homes. Most insurance policies do not pay benefits to family members who provide home care services, and it is increasingly difficult for families to provide this type of care. This tax credit will be available to families who provide care six months a year to relatives with Alzheimer's disease that would otherwise require institutional care. The bill is targeted assistance to families on limited incomes -- persons with adjusted gross incomes of $5,000 to $50,000 and would help approximately 27,000 Virginia families. This tax credit has bipartisan support, and as Governor I will see that it is enacted. In addition, I support requiring long-term care insurance plans to offer home health care as part of their basic package while still making available policies that cover only nursing home care for those who need it. Staying at home should always be an available option. Moving to a nursing home should be a choice -- not a requirement for coverage. To set an example for private industry, as Governor I will direct a study of ways to offer state employees the option to purchase in-home care insurance. Group purchases will ultimately make this coverage less expensive. I support removing federal roadblocks to ensure that those with Alzheimer's disease are not forced to surrender life savings or their homes to qualify for long-term coverage under Medicaid. The state should be able to allow individuals who buy long-term care coverage to shelter a portion of their assets, without surrendering Medicaid benefits that will be needed after insurance are exhausted. I support expanding assistance to area agencies on aging and in-home care. Virginia's 25 area agencies on aging serve about 250,000 older Virginians by providing adult day care, job skills and training and health care. I propose increasing support for the agencies by $4 million to reduce waiting lists for seniors seeking services and to provide more transportation services for older people. Discrimination against anyone is wrong. I support equal access for all. I have been one of Virginia's leading advocates for person's with disabilities. I have fought for more resources for assistive technology. helped toughen penalties for injuring elderly persons and persons with disabilities. I helped enact a "lemon law" consumer protection measure, requiring warranties on wheelchairs and other assistive equipment. I support accessible housing and a variety of assisted living options which allow Virginians with disabilities to maintain control over their lives and to live as independently as possible, without relying on institutions. I will continue to lead the effort to maintain equal rights, access to jobs and fair treatment for all Virginians. I will support a demonstration project to train law enforcement and emergency services personnel in interacting with people who have Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. We need to make sure that those with this terrible disease are given proper care if they wander. Alzheimer's Guide Dogs for family caregivers to control wandering should be a part of this project.
The Alzheimer�s Association does not endorse candidates for office but strongly encourages you to evaluate carefully how both Jim Gilmore and Don Beyer plan to meet the needs of Virginia�s 100,000 Alzheimer�s families.
Both candidates for Governor of Virginia agreed to provide their views on four issues of concern to the Alzheimer�s Association. The Alzheimer�s Association believes that Virginia�s government should provide a $500 tax credit to family caregivers, require police to be trained in dealing with Alzheimer�s individuals who wander, protect by law the privacy of genetic testing results from discrimination by insurance plans, and fully fund at least the critical unmet needs in home and community-based care programs.
Last updated: September 9, 1997
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