Marc Cohen on Tackling the Long-Term Care Crisis

In this episode of 'Risking Old Age in America,' Harry Margolis speaks with Marc Cohen, co-director of the LTSS Center and professor of gerontology at UMass Boston. They discuss the looming crisis as the oldest baby boomers reach age 85, the inadequacies of private long-term care insurance, and potential solutions including public insurance programs. Cohen highlights the importance of combining private and public efforts and delves into the WISH Act, a proposal for a catastrophic protection program. Additionally, they explore the pressing issue of caregiver shortages and the impact of policy on long-term care services, emphasizing the need for sustainable funding and support. The episode ends with practical advice for policymakers and families, stressing proactive planning for future long-term care needs. More on Marc at https://www.ltsscenter.org/ Topics: 01:04 The State of Long-Term Care Insurance 02:36 Challenges and Solutions in Long-Term Care Insurance 05:41 The Case for Public Long-Term Care Insurance 11:03 The WISH Act: A Federal Proposal 20:05 Addressing the Caregiver Shortage 25:36 Closing Thoughts and Advice Risking Old Age in America