On September 25, 2006 the Department of Health and Human Services announced a partnership with six states that would help Americans take an active role in planning ahead for their future long-term care needs. Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Texas were chosen to participate in the next round of HHS' "Own Your Future" campaign, an aggressive education and outreach effort designed to promote long-term care planning among state residents. "It's important for people to understand what they will need to address in their long-term care as they age," said CMS Administrator Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D. "The states are important partners since they deliver much of the long-term care that people require in their older years." Governors of the six participating states will send letters to all households containing residents who are between the ages of 45-65, promoting awareness of aging needs and encouraging them to order a free Long-Term Care Planning Kit. This kit features information about Medicare and Medicaid benefit packages, outlines ways to plan ahead and legal issues to consider, and provides guidance on how to assess private financing options. The letters from the governors are expected to reach a total of approximately 5.8 million households during the coming year. A press release will be available on this topic and the materials will be posted to CMS' Long Term Care page as well. Both of these areas of the website are available through the links below.
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