WISH Act

Summary · Congressional Research Service (nonpartisan)

This bill establishes a federal long-term care insurance benefit and provides specified funds for the program. To be eligible, an individual must have reached retirement age (currently between 65 and 67, depending on the individual’s year of birth) and have had a continual serious functional disability for between one and five years, depending on the individual’s income. Under the bill, an individual has a continual serious functional disability if a licensed health care practitioner has certified that the individual has been unable to perform at least two activities of daily living (including eating, bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom) without substantial assistance for at least 90 days, or has a similar level of disability; or requires substantial supervision to protect them from threats to health and safety due to severe cognitive impairment. The individual must also be expected to remain disabled for at least one year. The bill also establishes a Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Trust Fund and provides specified funds for the initial establishment of the benefit program, benefit payments during FY2026-FY2028, and public education related to the program. Finally, the Government Accountability Office must periodically report to Congress on consumer understanding of long-term insurance offerings, the likelihood of manipulation of eligibility criteria by beneficiaries, and the likelihood of financial exploitation or mistreatment by others on whom a beneficiary is dependent.