New Haven: John DeStefano – Democratic candidate for governor - was joined by Hartford area supporters, including former Mayor Thirman Milner, and Hartford School Board Member Andrea Comer, at the Northend Senior Center in Hartford to announce a compassionate and cost effective plan to help seniors receive better health care, and save taxpayers millions of dollars. Dozens of senior were on hand to hear about the proposal and ask questions.

DeStefano proposed offering a state income-tax break to Connecticut residents who buy long-term care insurance, thus making it more affordable for families and lessening the enormous cost to the state. Connecticut is one of the most expensive states for long-term care – hurting seniors and taxpayers – but incredibly Connecticut is one of only a handful of states that does not encourage people to buy long-term care insurance by offering them a tax credit.

“My plan would help seniors afford health care and over the long term save the state tens of millions of dollars,” said DeStefano. “This is a compassionate and cost effective proposal – which many other states have implemented – and it’s time we do it here. Instead of giving more tax breaks to the very rich, let’s help seniors get the care they deserve.”

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Under the plan, the amount paid for premiums on a long-term care policy could be taken as a state income-tax exemption. To qualify for the exemption, a long-term care policy would have to have a lifetime long-term care benefit of $100,000 or more. It’s estimated that the Connecticut program would pay for itself many, many times over because of the Medicaid savings. The DeStefano proposal would be both compassionate and cost-effective, an unbeatable combination.

DeStefano offers the proposal as one of his alternatives to the repeal of the estate tax – believing that the state should invest in long-term care instead of spending millions on more tax breaks for the richest people in Connecticut – something both his opponents for governor support.

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