RELEASE ON RECEIPT - April 25, 2006

California Challenged to Push Public Education on Long Term Care Insurance; LTC Financial Partners, with Offices in Felton, Urges California to Surpass New Efforts in New York

Felton, CA, April 25 -- Starting this Spring, a series of public seminars will enlighten New Yorkers on why the ground rules are changing for long term care financing. The statewide sessions will also explain how to get private long term care insurance that is sweetened by tax breaks and modified Medicaid rules. The seminars will be held in convenient locations throughout the state.

"New York deserves credit for taking this step," says Barbara Hanson, local-area Partner of LTC Financial Partners, the nation's most experienced long term care insurance brokerage. "But California led the way with consumer seminars in the past. We should revive them and outdo New York's efforts."

"Our citizens, especially Baby Boomers, need to be informed," Hanson continues. "They need to know that long term care is something they should plan for. It doesn't have to come as a surprise or drain their resources." With the latest federal legislation, it is more difficult for well-off Americans to rely on pubic assistance for long term care; and many financial advisors are recommending private insurance to their clients. "Californians need to know this," Hanson says.

For the past ten years, New York has been a long term care "partnership" state, along with California, Connecticut, and Indiana. The so-called "state partnerships" have a win-win aim: to make Medicaid (or Medi-Cal in California) work together with private long term care insurance to protect middle-income people without exploding already-inflated state budgets. More recently, Iowa became a "partnership" state; and on February 8, President Bush signed legislation designed to bring all 50 states into the public-private "partnership" fold.

"For the nation as a whole, a new legal foundation was laid on February 8," says Hanson. "California has had a strong foundation in place for 10 years. Now we need to build on that foundation, beyond what we've done in the past." California can build an even more substantial educational program than New York, she believes. Meanwhile Hanson advises individuals and companies on how to pay for long term care with all the federal and state help currently available.

Hanson speaks before community and business groups on request. Free guidebooks on long term care insurance are also available. The guidebooks or appearances may be requested by calling 831-335-4949.

Specializing in just one area, long term care insurance, LTC Financial Partners LLC has over 160 licensed agents in all parts of the nation. Many are certified to sell "partnership" coverage -- in states that offer partnership plans. All 160-plus Partners offer a choice of policies from multiple leading carriers.

Barbara Hanson has specialized in long term care insurance since 1995 and earned the respected status of Master Agent Emeritus from one of the largest long term care insurance carriers in the industry. Today, as an independent agent representing all major carriers, she is ideally positioned to help individuals, families, and businesses design customized long term care strategies to fit their budget. She has served her community as an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and is a major supporter of her local Alzheimer’s Association. Having had extensive personal experience with long term care in her previous career as an activity director in long term care facilities as well as in her own family, Hanson understands the challenges people face when a friend or family member needs help to stay home safely. She has helped over 1,000 families plan for the potentially devastating financial risk associated with long term health care problems. Barbara shares her expertise through public seminars, guest media appearances, corporate education, and individual consultations.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Barbara Hanson of LTC Financial Partners, Felton, CA - 831-335-4949 - www.eranova.com/LTCFP-BarbaraHanson
Jonas Roeser of LTC Financial Partners - 425-284-4863
Dick Samson of EraNova Institute for LTC Financial Partners - 973-335-3699 – media@eranova.com

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Photo of Barbara Hanson: