On Tuesday, Nov 8, I’ll be moderating an important discussion on the future long-term care in an era of shrinking government. My fellow panelists will be Robyn Stone, author of Long-Term Care for the Elderly and senior vice president for research for LeadingAge, a trade group that represents non-profit providers ; Len Fishman, the CEO of Hebrew Senior Life, an innovative senior services provider in Boston, and Josh Weiner, director of the Program on Aging, Disability, and Long-Term Care for the research  firm RTI International.

This will be a rare opportunity to hear three of the most distinguished experts in elder care discuss financing, delivery, and workforce issues.  Each of us will look at these issues in the context of big changes in the role government plays in long-term care. In an era of  growing economic pressures and big budget deficits, we face an era of  shrinking government, where programs such as Medicaid, as well as transportation, meals, and information services are all facing deep cuts.

How will providers, communities, and families respond to these changes? Will we find new ways to pay for extremely costly long-term care services? Where will we get the aides, nurses, and physicians to care for an aging population? These are tough questions, and I’m looking forward to hearing Josh, Len, and Robyn answer them. 

The panel will be from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at The Urban Institute (2100 M St. N.W.) in Washington and will also be Webcast.  You can get more information and sign up here.