LTC Bullet:  Season's Greetings and then Some 

Friday, December 23, 2005 

Seattle-- 

LTC Comment:  We usually close each year with one LTC Bullet to summarize what we've accomplished on your behalf in the preceding 12 months and a second Bullet to wish you Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, a Joyous New Year and all-around Season's Greetings. 

Then we say farewell 'til next year:  Great progress lies ahead if we persevere in the fight for rational and fiscally sound LTC public policy reform.  So let's rest, relax, refresh and rejoin the battle reinvigorated.  "LTC Bullets" and our daily "LTC E-Alerts" for members will resume in January. 

This year's a little different, however.  It comes to a close in a flurry of Congressional activity.  We came a hairsbreadth away from achieving two of the Center's most hard-fought goals, to wit, Medicaid eligibility reform and stronger incentives for private LTC financing alternatives.  But as they say in soccer, "right beside the goal is no goal." 

So this year, much is left hanging.  We're on the verge of a major public policy success, but forces are mobilizing to prevent positive reform.  More than ever, we need your help to keep the pressure on, to defend what we've achieved so far, and to finalize it as law signed by the President early in 2006. 

We've set a record in the past week:  seven LTC Bullets in eight days.  If you're thinking "enough already," we couldn't agree more.  So we'll skip this year's recounting of "What Have You Done for Me Lately," and simply say "It was a great year with major achievements and enormous public policy impact far beyond our size, all thanks to your support and encouragement." 

We need your continued support to finish the job.  If you can see your way clear to help the Center for Long-Term Care Reform with a financial contribution, we'd be much obliged.  Annual individual memberships are $150.  Corporate memberships to bring our publications to everyone in your organization or company are negotiable.  If you have a budget for subscriptions, our LTC Bullets and E-Alerts would surely qualify.  Maybe the Center would be a business expense for your tax purposes.  Check with your CPA.  

Please mail your contribution to the Center for Long-Term Care Reform, 2212 Queen Anne Avenue North, #110, Seattle, WA  98109 or contribute online at http://www.centerltc.com/support/index.htm .  Call or email us anytime at 206-283-7036 or info@centerltc.com.  Thank you for being there for the Center and for our shared mission:  to ensure access to quality long-term care for all Americans. 

The Center for Long-Term Care Reform wishes you a wonderful holiday season and a terrific New Year.  We look forward to continuing our work with you on behalf of America's seniors, their families, and long-term care professionals--all of whom are struggling in the face of so many challenges.