Courtney, Prague to unveil long-term care bill

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney and Connecticut state Sen. Edith Prague, an advocate for the elderly, are unveiling proposed federal legislation that's supposed to help families pay for long-term care insurance.

The two Democrats are scheduled to appear at a news conference on Friday at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

Under Courtney's bill, a tax deduction would be created for a percentage of eligible long-term care insurance premiums. The proposal also creates consumer protections for families who purchase the policies.

Courtney's office said only 7 to 9 million Americans have long-term care insurance.

In Connecticut, the annual cost of adult day care is more than $19,000. It's $48,000 for a home health aide, $53,000 for an assisted living facility, and $135,000 for a semi-private room in a nursing home.