Charity calls for insurance

Compulsory social insurance should be introduced to pay for
long-term care, says Help the Aged in a report proposing social
insurance paid for by all adults on an income-related basis.

Under the charity’s proposed scheme the state would contribute
credits for those on benefits or the low paid.

The government’s plans involve the introduction of a form of
voluntary insurance.

Help the Aged says the current arrangements for funding
long-term care are messy, unfair and geared towards paying for
institutional care.

Government policy ‘risks dividing services and standards between
those with an ability to pay and those unable to do so’.

Mervyn Kohler, Help the Aged’s head of public affairs, said:
‘The real cost of care is going to grow and the only fair way to
fund health and social care is through insurance.’

– Challenge on Care from 0171 250 4431.