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'Care insurance' planned for old 'Care insurance' planned for old
(20 minutes later)
Older people in England could be asked to take out insurance to pay for long-term care in their old age.Older people in England could be asked to take out insurance to pay for long-term care in their old age.
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.
The Tories said ministers had "broken promises" on the issue and vowed to draw up their own long-term care plans.The Tories said ministers had "broken promises" on the issue and vowed to draw up their own long-term care plans.
The government admits the current system is struggling to cope with the huge pressures already being put on existing care services.The government admits the current system is struggling to cope with the huge pressures already being put on existing care services.
Experts warn demand for social care is likely to intensify as the population ages.Experts warn demand for social care is likely to intensify as the population ages.
Protecting assetsProtecting assets
Under the present English 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 English 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.
One option thought to be under consideration in the new green paper is for an insurance-based scheme which would allow people to protect their homes and savings.One option thought to be under consideration in the new green paper is for an insurance-based scheme which would allow people to protect their homes and savings.
If the government merely plans to publish an options paper, then the problem will be kicked into the long grass once again Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley End of retirement age signalledIf the government merely plans to publish an options paper, then the problem will be kicked into the long grass once again Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley End of retirement age signalled
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.
Health Secretary Andy Burnham said the measures would ensure a basic entitlement for everyone.Health Secretary Andy Burnham said the measures would ensure a basic entitlement for everyone.
He told the BBC that "now that is a big step forward and it's not something we've been able to say before.He told the BBC that "now that is a big step forward and it's not something we've been able to say before.
"But under any of the options we'll be putting forward today that is what would happen.""But under any of the options we'll be putting forward today that is what would happen."
Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said the green paper was unlikely to provide any firm conclusions.Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said the green paper was unlikely to provide any firm conclusions.
HAVE YOUR SAYMany of our elderly people have contributed to the tax system for years. Their care should be free.[Kathyan], Sheffield Send us your comments
"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."
Free in ScotlandFree in Scotland
Andrew Harrop, from the charity Age Concern and Help the Aged said the current system was fundamentally unfair.Andrew Harrop, from the charity Age Concern and Help the Aged said the current system was fundamentally unfair.
"Needing care is random, some people need it and others don't because they die in a sort of much shorter period of time, and what people are beginning to understand is that we should share those risks out.""Needing care is random, some people need it and others don't because they die in a sort of much shorter period of time, and what people are beginning to understand is that we should share those risks out."
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.
We've got to end this postcode lottery in social care Allan BowmanSocial Care Institute for ExcellenceWe've got to end this postcode lottery in social care Allan BowmanSocial Care Institute for Excellence
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 and it is thought unlikely that ministers in England will adopt a similar policy.In Scotland the provision of free personal care has proved popular, but very expensive and 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.
Allan Bowman, chairman of advisory body the Social Care Institute for Excellence, told the BBC there was wide variation in the cost and quality of care.Allan Bowman, chairman of advisory body the Social Care Institute for Excellence, told the BBC there was wide variation in the cost and quality of care.
"We've got to end this postcode lottery in social care and we've got to find a way of achieving a national approach, that ensures people get the best quality of care at whatever fair price can be achieved," he said."We've got to end this postcode lottery in social care and we've got to find a way of achieving a national approach, that ensures people get the best quality of care at whatever fair price can be achieved," he said.