House Bill 648

Chair�s Name: Tom Knox

Committee: Insurance

House Sponsor: Tom Knox

Under the Long-term Care Insurance Act, HB 648 reduces the requirements for the definition of the coverage for long-term care insurance to include policies with a �12 consecutive benefit months� rather than �24 months and �a minimum aggregate period of one year� rather than �two years.�  HB 648 adds the Georgia Qualified Long-term Care Partnership Program to the definition of �policy.�

The committee substitute received a Do Pass recommendation from the Insurance Committee and comes to the House Floor under the Open Rule.

Chairman Knox�s opinion of this legislation:

WHAT PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY DOES THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESS?

Conforms GA law to Federal and NAIC requirements to allow persons to purchase long term Care Insurance in lieu of Medicaid.

WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION?

NAIC and FEDERAC law.

THIS LEGISLATION:

• Reduces the Size of Government:

Takes more people out of Medicaid program

• Strengthens the Traditional Family Structure

Protects Family Assets

• Reduces the Tax Burden on our Citizens:

Persons will be paying for their own long term Health Care.

• Increases Personal Responsibility:

Persons will be providing for their own care instead of relying on a government program