Six Long-Term Care Insurance Carriers Now Back '3 in 4 Need More' Campaign

KIRKLAND, Wash., March 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the 3in4 Association, promoters of the "3 in 4 Need More" campaign, announces the sponsorship of six insurance carriers: John Hancock, Mutual of Omaha, LifeSecure, MedAmerica, Prudential, and Transamerica. "They're providing the support we need to start getting our message out," says Jonas Roeser, a member of the association's three-member Executive Committee, which also includes Margie Barrie and Mark Goldberg.

What's the message? "It's simple," says Barrie. "Health insurance isn't enough. About three in four of us need more. Unless we're rich enough to self-insure, we need some form of long-term care insurance to cover longer-lasting illnesses and disabilities not covered by regular insurance or Medicare." That's the wake-up call of the 3 in 4 Need More campaign.

"The public needs to hear this message and take it to heart," Goldberg says, "because Uncle Sam and the states can't afford to come to the rescue anymore." Now and increasingly in the future, "When long-term care needs suddenly happen, millions will have to use their own assets to pay for care; or they'll need to rely on relatives; or somehow do without care." Today about 32% of the total Medicaid budget, for all states, goes toward paying for long-term care, according to a recent study by Deloitte Center for Health Solutions.

Medicaid assistance is intended for the truly needy, but many middle-class Americans are able to draw upon the system in spite of restrictions. "In light of today's budget crises, this can't continue," Goldberg insists. "Medicaid expenditures have to stop skyrocketing. Going forward, much less may be expected from Medicaid, and as 70 million Baby Boomers approach retirement age, no way is Medicaid money going to mushroom to fill the demand."

The 3 in 4 Need More campaign encourages Americans to educate themselves about long-term care, investigate long-term care insurance, and weigh the pros and cons of enrolling in the upcoming public option for long-term care, the CLASS Act. "One way or another," says Barrie, "we need to start protecting ourselves; government just can't afford to do it anymore, except for helping the truly needy." More information is available at www.3in4needmore.com.

About John Hancock

John Hancock Financial is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 22 countries and territories worldwide. The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers a broad range of financial products and services, including life insurance, fixed and variable annuities, fixed products, mutual funds, 401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at www.johnhancock.com.

About Mutual of Omaha

Mutual of Omaha is a full-service, multi-line organization providing insurance and financial products for individuals, businesses and groups throughout the United States. The company has offered long-term care insurance for more than 20 years. For more information about Mutual of Omaha, visit www.mutualofomaha.com.

About LifeSecure

LifeSecure Insurance Company offers a new generation of long-term care insurance coverage. The Brighton, Michigan-based company is focused on providing straightforward, affordable coverage and high levels of customer service and support. The company's long-term care insurance coverage is sold through a network of independent marketing organizations, brokers and agents. LifeSecure is a wholly owned subsidiary of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. For additional information visit the company's website at www.YourLifeSecure.com.

About MedAmerica

MedAmerica Insurance Company, MedAmerica Insurance Company of New York and MedAmerica Insurance Company of Florida (MedAmerica) are the long-term care insurance subsidiaries of Lifetime Healthcare, Inc., a $5 billion not-for-profit company that finances and delivers health care to more than two million people. With long-term care insurance its singular focus, MedAmerica is recognized for quality products and excellent service. MedAmerica now offers a broadened LTCi portfolio featuring Simplicity, the highest-rated LTCi product on the market (SellingLTC.com), and FlexCare, a reimbursement policy featuring an optional monthly cash benefit that provides the building blocks for creative product design. MedAmerica is the insurer of choice for several state employers, Fortune 500 companies, and employers of all sizes.

About Prudential

Prudential Financial, Inc., a financial services leader with approximately $784 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2010, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential's diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment management, and real estate services. In the U.S., Prudential's iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit http://www.news.prudential.com/.

About Transamerica

Transamerica Long Term Care is a business unit of Transamerica Life & Protection Division. Transamerica Life Insurance Company is an AEGON company that is focused exclusively on the sales, marketing and administration of long-term care insurance. Additional information about Transamerica Life Insurance Company is available at http://www.transamericaltc.com.

About the 3in4 Association

The 3in4 Association, which runs the 3 in 4 Need More campaign, is a nonprofit corporation exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations to the 3in4 Association may be deductible as business expenses, but are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. The three-member Executive Committee of the 3in4 Association consists of Jonas Roeser, President; Margie Barrie, Vice President; and Mark Goldberg, Treasurer. To learn more, visit www.3in4needmore.com.

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This release was issued on behalf of the above organization by Send2Press(R), a unit of Neotrope(R). http://www.Send2Press.com

SOURCE 3in4 Association