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| 'Care insurance' planned for old | 'Care insurance' planned for old |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Older people in England could be asked to take out insurance to pay for long-term care in their old age, it is reported. | Older people in England could be asked to take out insurance to pay for long-term care in their old age, it is reported. |
| The idea is thought to be one option proposed by ministers in a green paper due on Tuesday on reform of funding of residential and home-based social care. | The idea is thought to be one option proposed by ministers in a green paper due on Tuesday on reform of funding of residential and home-based social care. |
| The current system of means tested social care for elderly and disabled people is widely regarded as unfair. | The current system of means tested social care for elderly and disabled people is widely regarded as unfair. |
| Experts also warn it is unfit for our ageing society. | Experts also warn it is unfit for our ageing society. |
| Ministers admit the current system is struggling to cope with the huge pressures already being put on existing care services. | Ministers admit the current system is struggling to cope with the huge pressures already being put on existing care services. |
| And experts warn demand for social care is likely to intensify. | And experts warn demand for social care is likely to intensify. |
| Already it is estimated that half of women and a third of men over 65 will need long-term care at some point. | Already it is estimated that half of women and a third of men over 65 will need long-term care at some point. |
| And the number of people aged 85 and over is predicted to double over the next 20 years. | And the number of people aged 85 and over is predicted to double over the next 20 years. |
| At present, there are four people earning for each one who is retired, but in 40 years that ratio will fall to just two to one. | At present, there are four people earning for each one who is retired, but in 40 years that ratio will fall to just two to one. |
| In Scotland the provision of free personal care has proved popular, but very expensive. | In Scotland the provision of free personal care has proved popular, but very expensive. |
| It is thought unlikely that ministers in England will adopt a similar policy. | It is thought unlikely that ministers in England will adopt a similar policy. |
| But they concede that a new system is required to deal with a situation that threatens to create a £6bn black hole in finances over the next 20 years. | But they concede that a new system is required to deal with a situation that threatens to create a £6bn black hole in finances over the next 20 years. |
| Losing their homes | Losing their homes |
| Under the present system anyone with a home or savings of £23,500 or more is not given state funding for a care home, or help from social services. | Under the present system anyone with a home or savings of £23,500 or more is not given state funding for a care home, or help from social services. |
| This means that thousands of pensioners each year have to sell their homes or use their savings to fund their long-term care, which critics say is unfair and unsustainable. | This means that thousands of pensioners each year have to sell their homes or use their savings to fund their long-term care, which critics say is unfair and unsustainable. |
| The new green paper is thought likely to propose the current system is replaced. | The new green paper is thought likely to propose the current system is replaced. |
| One option thought to be under consideration is for an insurance-based scheme which would allow people to protect their homes and savings. | One option thought to be under consideration is for an insurance-based scheme which would allow people to protect their homes and savings. |
| A range of payment options is likely to be set out, including deducting a single payment from the patient's estate after their death, or making several payments in advance during their working life. | A range of payment options is likely to be set out, including deducting a single payment from the patient's estate after their death, or making several payments in advance during their working life. |
| Other possible options could be a co-payment system, where the state pays for the first chunk of care, then the rest is means tested; or a social care tax, working in the same way as national insurance. | Other possible options could be a co-payment system, where the state pays for the first chunk of care, then the rest is means tested; or a social care tax, working in the same way as national insurance. |
| Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said the green paper had been much delayed, and was unlikely to provide any firm conclusions. | Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said the green paper had been much delayed, and was unlikely to provide any firm conclusions. |
| "This publication will come after 12 years of broken promises to look at this issue. | "This publication will come after 12 years of broken promises to look at this issue. |
| "If the government merely plan to publish an options paper, then the problem will be kicked into the long grass once again. | "If the government merely plan to publish an options paper, then the problem will be kicked into the long grass once again. |
| "If that happens, then the Conservative Party will bring forward its own proposal for the funding of long-term care. | "If that happens, then the Conservative Party will bring forward its own proposal for the funding of long-term care. |
| "Unlike the government, we will set out a clear plan for change for both the providers of social care and the 45,000 people who are forced to sell their homes every year to pay for it." | "Unlike the government, we will set out a clear plan for change for both the providers of social care and the 45,000 people who are forced to sell their homes every year to pay for it." |
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