Symponia - The Big Care Debate - What is being Debated?
There isn’t a totally blank canvas, the Government has outlined 3 specific proposals.
A Partnership Approach, the proposals state that the Government would fund ⅓ to ¼ of a persons’ care bill, but which bill? As two identical people could both need care, but one opts for care costing £650 whilst the other selects a care home with fees of £1,200, surely the % paid has to be capped at the national average? Otherwise care home fees will rocket once again leaving those with low incomes without any real choice.
We do not know whether or not the new Government contributions will cover the whole cost of staying in a care home or limit it to the care element only.
It is possible that these new contributions made by the Government (at whatever percentage) will simply replace two existing non means tested benefits, Attendance Allowance and Nursing Care Allowance.
An Insurance Plan, which companies will offer the products and how will they be made available? Although pre-funded insurance plans were previously available, the take-up rate was woefully poor; it is vital that any product development learns lessons from the past and makes future plans both affordable and have realistic claims criteria.
The Comprehensive Solution, reverting to the objectives of a complete Cradle to Grave healthcare system, this option sounds great in principle, but the draft clearly says “everyone who can afford it”, who will decide this key point?
As already questioned above, at what fee level will the state pay? Care costs can vary enormously, even in the same postcode, whether the national limit is set at £650 or £1,200 per week will remain to be seen, but our instinct tells us it will be at the lower end and will only cover actual care costs.