dr. chernof? >> thank you, chairman kohl, ranking member corker for the opportunity to testify at this critical hearing today. my name is dr. bruce chernof, and i serve adds the president and ceo of the scan foundation, an independent nonprofit foundation dedicated to promoting a steady continuum of quality care for all seniors. where seniors receive integrated medical care in a setting most appropriate to their needs and with the greatest likelihood of contributing to a healthy and independent life. americans today are living longer than in previous generations, often with chronic conditions and functional impairments at older ages, which increases the number of people who will need long-term services and supports. most americans are not aware of the high likelihood of needing long-term services and supports at some point in their lives, and have few tools to plan for this reality. the cost of this care is substantial, impacting both family financial resources and the ability for family caregivers

dr. chernof, how can we do better without spending more? >> chairman, so a couple of observations. first i'd suggest that you're asking a specific question about what can we do better now. and i observed that there is also this other question of how do we plan better for the long-term. so i want to address my comments specifically to your question that what is it we can do with current systems to really improve them given what we know. i would observe if you were to look at our long-term services and support scorecard looking all across the country, and then the road map work that we completed with the center for health care strategies, looking at the steps to improving systems, whether it begins with rebalancing, moving to managed long-term services and supports, or creative models around duals. we should be heartened by the fact that there are really good models out there. some of them represented by folks on this committee. and that we should be building on what we know. so the notion that we're starting from scratch is certainly not accurate there are really good models, and we

dr. reena nadler -- chernof. as the population ages i am reading for those improvements and preventing all climbers. not only in my personal interests but clearly in the nation's interests. we are likely to see increased demand on need for public finance for long-term care. unlike dr. holtz-eakin i'm not a believer, we do not see that as the financing solution for the problem with the we have now or we have it in the future. and enhance federal support as dr. chernof asked with the federalization of the program. point will be critical to get appropriate access to care at home and in the community as well as the population ages. >> dr. chernof, how can we do better without spending more? >> a couple of observations. i suggest you are asking a specific question about what can we do better now and i observed that there's also this other question which is how we plan better for the long term. i want to address my comments specifically to your question which is what can we do with current systems to improve them given

dr. chernof. >> thank you. my name is dr. bruce chernof. i served on an organization that envisions a society where seniors receive integrated medical care and support services that are most appropriate for their needs and have the greatest likelihood to retreat to a healthy and independent life. americans are living longer with the previous conditions -- generations. most of versus the best month americans are not -- most americans have few tools to plan for the reality of needing long- term care. we need to track family availability of resources. when they have exhausted their personal resources and can no longer shoulder these costs on their own, they have to depend on medicaid for help. those who qualify for medicaid long-term services and support, need assistance for the rest of their lives. medical students fundamental to the current finances and delivery of long-term services. the longest -- it is the backdrop for all vulnerable older americans who needed this kind of care. mccain has evolved over the years from paying for nursing ho

dr. chernof also served as director and chief medical officer for the los angeles county department of health services. we thank you all for being here. and before we go to your testimony, we'll hear from the distinguished ranking member of this committee, senator corker. >> mr. chairman, thank you. and i had a conflict. i came at the perfect time. i don't give opening comments much. i thank you for calling the hearing and i look forward to hearing the witnesses. so thank you so much. i appriate it. >> thank you. all right. mr. o'brien? >> chairman, ranking member corker, members of the committee. thank you for the opportunity to testify today on long-term care insurance. the office of personnel management oversees numerous benefit programs, including long-term care insurance for federal employees, annuityans and family members. long-term care is provided to people who need help with activities of daily living or need supervision due to severe cognitive impairment. it can be provided at home, an adult day-care center, assisted living facility or nursing home. most health insurance programs, i

dr. chernof. >> thank you chairman roe, ranking member corker for the opportunity to testify at this criticalaring today. my name is dr. bruce chernof and i'm the present ceo of the scan foundation independent nonprofit foundation devoted to creating a sustainable continuum of quality care for all seniors. is in a society where seniors receive integrated ethical care and supportive services in the setting most appropriate to their needs and the greatest like a the hood of contributing to a healthy and independent life. americans today are living longer than in previous generations, often with chronic conditions and functional impairments which increases the number of people who will need long-term services and support. most americans are not aware of the high likelihood of needing long-term services and support at some point in their lives and have few tools to plan for this reality. the cost of this care is substantial, impacting both family financial resources and the ability for family caregivers to engage in the labor market. when individuals and families have exhausted their personal res