The LTC Tour Update . . . "Livin' in Aluminum" -- The First Quarter

by

Stephen A. Moses

In late December '07, I purchased a new 16-ft. Airstream trailer and a Titanium-Metallic Toyota FJ Cruiser in Tampa, Florida and began the Center for Long-Term Care Reform's 2008 National Long-Term Care Consciousness Tour.

I'm living in this "Silver Bullet of Long-Term Care" as I work my way around the country: six regions for two months each starting with the Southeast in January and February, and moving to the Southwest, Central East, Northeast, Midwest and finally out West late this year.

The purpose of our LTC Tour is to raise awareness among the public, legislators, policy-makers, and the media about the importance of responsible long-term care planning and public policy. Toward that end, I'm working with regional representatives of the center and major corporate sponsors of the LTC Tour all around the country to schedule and deliver speeches, meet with public officials and print reporters and appear on radio and TV shows.

So far the media interest has been exceptional and audience feedback wonderful. For example, in Chattanooga, TN, all three television networks had me and, in one case, the Silver Bullet, on the air. A public forum brought out a large audience eager to learn how to prepare for the risk and cost of long-term care. The Nashville-based Tennessean newspaper did a big story, as well. Representatives from TennCare (Tennessee's Medicaid program) met with Regional Representative Phyllis Shelton, LTC Consultant, Hendersonville, TN, and me and to hear our analysis and recommendations.

In Florida, I spoke to groups of financial advisors and insurance agents, did two radio shows and a "podcast" for a magazine.

In North Carolina, I addressed 300 nursing home providers in Greensboro and I delivered the Shaftesbury luncheon speech at the John Locke Foundation in Raleigh celebrating publication of my latest report: "Long-Term Care Financing in North Carolina: Good Intentions, Ambitious Efforts, Unintended Consequences," sponsored by the John Locke Foundation (http://www.johnlocke.org/site-docs/policyreports/NC_LTC_finance.pdf ).

While I'm living and traveling full time in the Silver Bullet, I'm not tied down to it. I parked the rig for several days and flew to Chicago to deliver a speech to a committee of the American Medical Association that is planning the AMA's policy position on long-term care financing.

Early in February there was a stopover in Knoxville, TN, to affix logos of the LTC Tour's major corporate sponsors. Platinum, Gold and Silver sponsors receive signage on the Silver Bullet and recognition in the presentation packet to be distributed at major events.

Mid-February took me to Columbia, SC, to speak at the South Carolina Association of Health Underwriters "Day on the Hill" annual lobbying campaign and on to Atlanta, GA, where I spoke to the Atlanta Association of Health Underwriters, met with a Wall Street Journal reporter, and addressed BRAMCO, a brokers' group.

Finally, I attended the Long-Term Care Insurance Producer's Summit in Atlanta, GA, before heading home to Seattle to enjoy a two-week respite for this weary road warrior. But I was back at it March 16 to 19 at the Intercompany Long-Term Care Insurance Conference in Jacksonville, FL, where the Silver Bullet of Long-Term Care was prominently displayed at the entrance to the conference hotel.

Would you like to take part in the National Long-Term Care Consciousness Tour? Read all about it at www.centerltc.com. I'll provide updates on the LTC Tour's progress once quarter in Broker World..

Help us stir up interest along the way!

"Livin' in Aluminum" is a song about an Airstream trailer searchable and viewable on YouTube.