Thursday, July 16, 2009

Isakson, Dodd Introduce Legislation Requiring Child Care Providers to Disclose Insurance Status

U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Chris Dodd, D-Conn., both members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, today introduced legislation that would require child care providers to disclose whether they have liability insurance.

The legislation was prompted by the story of Anthony DeJuan Boatwright, also known as Juan. In 2001, when he was 14 months old, Juan fell into an unattended bucket of mop water at his child care center in Augusta, Ga. As a result of the accident, Juan has remained semi-comatose and dependent on a ventilator for the past eight years. The center where Juan was injured was licensed, but not insured. At the time, there was no provision in place to let parents know the insurance status of child care providers.

“I hope the Senate will quickly pass this straight-forward, bipartisan legislation to simultaneously honor young Juan and provide parents with much-needed information about child care facilities,” Isakson said. “Juan’s mother Jackie deserves considerable credit for her efforts to ensure all parents know whether or not their child care provider is insured.”

“As the father of two young daughters, I understand the need for parents to be well informed when making decisions about child care,” said Dodd. “This bill will help to protect children and give parents peace of mind. I’m proud to support this important legislation, and look forward to future opportunities to improve the quality of and access to child care in this country for children, families, and providers.”

Specifically, the Anthony DeJuan Boatwright Act would require child care providers that receive Child Care and Development Block Grant funds to disclose whether or not they carry liability insurance for the operation of their facility. The bill also would require that states recommend such coverage in their licensure process.

Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Roland Burris, D-Ill., also are co-sponsors of the bill. A companion bill passed in the House of Representatives on June 2, 2009.
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Monday, July 13, 2009

Genworth Financial Simplifies the Process of Purchasing Affordable Long Term Care Insurance for Georgia AARP Members

/PRNewswire/ -- Long term care costs in Georgia continue to rise at a rate outpacing inflation, putting significant financial pressure on those in or near retirement. As a leader in the long term care insurance industry, Genworth offers a suite of insurance products to help people proactively plan for their future. Now, AARP® members that reside in Georgia can take advantage of a new program designed to simplify the process of purchasing affordable long term care insurance.

Genworth Financial, Inc. (NYSE:GNW) today introduced My Future, My Plan(SM), a suite of long term care insurance plans created exclusively for AARP members. My Future, My Plan is the result of Genworth combining its unique expertise in the area of the long term care insurance product with what it has learned about AARP's demographic. With My Future, My Plan, AARP members get access to industry-leading features while maintaining the ability to customize a plan that falls within their price range, meeting their lifestyle needs. In three simple steps, AARP members can choose one of three preselected long term care insurance plans, tailored to them and designed specifically to reflect membership demographics. All plans include the option of home care, assisted living and nursing home services along with flexible features designed exclusively for AARP members. Also included is no-cost access to Genworth's Privileged Care® Coordinators who assist policyholders and their families in planning for their long term care.

AARP members have three easy options available to find out more about My Future, My Plan: by scheduling a free, no obligation "readiness review" with an "Authorized to Offer" Genworth insurance agent in person or by calling 800 565.0805, or by visiting genworth.com/aarp for more information about long term care insurance.

My Future, My Plan is one of many products Genworth has developed, reflective of American families' varying and ever-growing long term care needs. The company also offers affordable long term care insurance solutions through independent financial advisors. Earlier this year, the company launched a product suite to offer employers a practical way to provide affordable, comprehensive long term care coverage to employees and their families.

Georgia residents can also take advantage of Georgia's Long Term Care (LTC) Partnership, an alliance between the private insurance industry and the state government to help Georgia residents plan for future long term care needs without depleting all of their assets to pay for care. The combination of benefits offered by Genworth's LTC insurance products and the Partnership Plan provide Georgia residents with financial incentives to take proactive measures to help protect themselves and their families from the growing costs of long term care.

"Two-thirds of people over age 65 will need long term care in their lifetimes," said Buck Stinson, president, insurance products at Genworth Financial. "The current economic downturn has depleted the nest eggs of many Georgia residents, making it more important than ever to plan ahead for future long term care costs."

Helping American Families Through Education

As an industry pioneer and the largest underwriter of long term care insurance for more than one million policyholders, Genworth brings a strong commitment to solving our nation's long term care challenges, a reputation for service and a longstanding history of product innovation.

Since 2005, the company has conducted an annual Cost of Care Survey to provide Americans with a clear understanding of the cost of long term care in their area. According to Genworth's 2009 Cost of Care Survey conducted by CareScout, the annual cost for a private nursing home room in the U.S. is $74,208, or $203 per day. Costs for this type of care in Georgia's three largest cities surveyed have increased 4 percent annually over the past five years in Columbus and 2 percent in both Atlanta and Augusta over the same time period. The median annual cost for a private nursing home room in Georgia ranges from $45,589 to $74,400.

"Long term care planning is a key consideration as you prepare for your retirement needs," continued Stinson. "For a few dollars now, families can potentially save thousands of dollars later should they have a long term care need."

To help families plan and have the right conversations at the right time, Genworth Financial has created the "Let's Talk" national campaign, designed to provide families with the right resources, education and motivation to have valuable conversations and successfully plan for a long life. The centerpiece of the campaign is an interactive Web site (www.caringtalk.com), featuring downloadable long term care guides and information on: ways to break the ice with family members; helpful do's and don'ts; and advice from people who have already been down this path.

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