Whether you support the concept or not, the individual mandate that is part of  the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has affected the conversation regarding personal responsibility and health insurance.

In the next few months, it will be interesting to see how the individual mandate will impact the number of uninsured.  The only examples we have are in Massachusetts, which also has an individual mandate, and has the lowest uninsured percentage in the country.

With the debate over getting more Americans covered for LTC costs, there will be a strong debate over the best incentive.  For example, should it be required that people have some plan for LTC, either demonstrating they have the personal assets to cover costs or own LTC Insurance? 

Considering the controversy over health care reform, it is probably not realistic to expect any type of individual LTC planning mandate anytime soon.

On the other hand, would tax breaks move the needle?   The trend in budget talks recently has been of tax reform and getting rid of deductions and loopholes.  Would a tax benefit for LTC insurance be an exception to this trend? A recent US News and World Report article discussed a poll in which 79% of respondants said they supported the notion of tax breaks that would help people buy long-term care insurance.

What do you think?  Which is the best way to encourage more LTC planning?