A new survey shows that nearly 80 percent of people are more likely to support a health care reform proposal that improves coverage for long-term care services for seniors. Moreover, substantial majorities of Americans among all demographic groups, including gender, age, income and party affiliation, express deep concern about affording long-term care services as well as strong support for improving long-term care coverage as part of health reform. The results come as President Obama and policymakers in Washington D.C. debate health care reform packages they aim to complete by the end of July.

The National Omnibus Survey on Long-Term Care, conducted by Lake Research Partners on behalf of The SCAN Foundation, gauged opinion on long-term care coverage and health care reform from over 1,000 random adults (aged 18 and older). The survey was conducted June 26 through June 29, 2009 and has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.

"These findings provide another compelling reason for health care reform and identify ways to draw support from new constituencies," said Dr. Bruce Chernof, President & CEO of The SCAN Foundation.

The following is a summary of the main findings of the report:

Concern for Cost and Quality

- A large majority of Americans – 79 percent – are concerned about their ability to pay for long-term care for themselves or a family member in the future, with nearly half (46 percent) feeling very concerned

- An overwhelming 92 percent of people say it is important to improve coverage for services that help people remain in their home instead of going into a nursing home

Widespread Support for Long-Term Care

- Nearly eight in ten Americans (78 percent) say health care reform would benefit them personally if it included improved coverage for home and community-based long-term care services

- A similar proportion (80 percent) supports including improved coverage for these long-term care services as part of health reform

- In fact, 79 percent say they would be more likely to support a health reform proposal that included improved coverage for home and community-based long-term care services.

"Seniors and their families want services that enable our aging population to remain independent, at home and in the community as long as possible," said Howard Bedlin, Vice President, Public Policy and Advocacy for the National Council on Aging. "They want to see a health reform plan that integrates long-term care and acute care financing to provide family members with real health security, whether they have a heart attack or Alzheimer's disease."