WASHINGTON - Following is a statement from Gail Shearer, Director of Health Policy analysis for the Washington, D.C. Office of Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports magazine:

"The President's long-term care proposal is a modest step in the right direction. It would provide limited relief to families who are struggling with the high cost of providing care for their loved ones. Unlike other policies, such as tax deductions that are linked to the purchase of long-term care policies, this proposal does not require the purchase of an expensive private insurance policy in order to qualify for a tax benefit. The proposal, if designed properly, has the potential to improve the performance of the private long-term care insurance market by developing a high quality policy that would be available to federal employees. While this proposal is a modest step in the right direction, Congress must redouble its efforts to make health care -- both acute and long-term care -- affordable to all American families."