Changing rules require taking personal action

Section (f) states: “Nothing in this section allows or is intended to allow the unlawful practice of law.” This means you cannot practice law without a license. You sell financial products, so stick to what you are licensed to do and hire or work with a properly educated elder law attorney. If you need legal help, get in contact with the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and its Web site, www.naela.com.

In the meantime, read the bill, and then contact your state senator or assembly person and ask for some face time to speak with them or staff. It is vitally important that you support the portions of this bill which deal with the partnership LTC program.

You should seek to explain to them where you work, how many clients in their constituency you work with, and what it is you do for your clients to help them stay out of state-run LTC facilities and instead receive care where they typically want it (ie. their home). Moreover, you need to explain how you are familiar with the financial services industry and what you do to keep yourself informed, trained and up to date, in an effort to assist your clients in managing their finances responsibly. The time is now, and you are needed, as the bill seeks to amend various sections of the Insurance Code and the Welfare and Institutions Code.

The Medi-Cal program is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services. Existing law establishes various criteria for eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits. The Medi-Cal program is partially governed and funded by federal Medicaid provisions. All of you should become educated with respect to state partnership LTC (go to www.ltcce.com for more information).

We as a country are facing a tremendous challenge when it comes to delivering long term care services to our aging population. Our work will never be more important than it is right now and in the coming years as this bill is implemented. Do something now, please.