Completing the Health System through Personal Care Benefits

Abstract

Discussion about policy and programming for the elderly and disabled is frequently built around the cycle of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation which leads to an incomplete system of health care for this population. Lack of adequate provision for the special maintenance required for the disabled elderly produces undesirable consequences in the prevailing medical system. A system of personal care benefits and personal care services is proposed as a means for completing the health system for more effective functioning. Approaches for structure and for stable, assured funding for such personal care support services are proposed which draw upon the principles of capitation prepayment. A change in the expenditure pattern of present appropriations is suggested as an alternative to additional expenditures.