WHEREAS, self-reliance and independence are more than mere words to Idahoans; they are as integral to the American spirit today as they were to prior generations; and

        WHEREAS, our nation seeks to ensure that millions of aging Americans who will require long-term care are able to preserve their independence, ensure their right to receive quality care and prevent placing considerable burdens on their families, communities, businesses or government programs; and

        WHEREAS, long-term care spending from all public and private sources for persons of all ages will increase significantly and could nearly quadruple to $379 billion by 2050; and

        WHEREAS, over 80,000 Americans already are involved in providing long-term care services as well as educating and offering financial planning options; and

        WHEREAS, over seven million Americans already have purchased long-term care insurance protection for themselves and family members and over $1 billion in yearly insurance benefits are paid to Americans.

        NOW THEREFORE, I, C.L. “BUTCH” OTTER, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim the month of June 2008, as

LONG-TERM CARE PARTNERSHIP INSURANCE AWARENESS MONTH

in Idaho and urge all citizens to use the opportunity to learn more about this option when evaluating how best to handle the potential financial risks of long-term care.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at Boise, Idaho, on this 19th day of May in the year of our Lord two-thousand and eight and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-second and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred eighteenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE