October 2, 2000

National Notes
Long-Term Care Insurance Now Available to Federal Employees

President Clinton recently signed into law legislation providing long-term care insurance coverage to federal employees and members of the military. The Long-Term Care Security Act, which enjoyed wide support from both Democrats and Republicans, authorizes the federal Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to negotiate with private insurers on behalf of as many as 13 million government employees, retirees, and their families.

Speaking at the White House, the President estimated that OPM could negotiate a 15% to 20% discount on insurance rates and that about 300,000 federal employees may acquire the coverage, which would include the elderly as well as younger people.