January has become the month in which the ACCA conducts its annual district meetings. The meetings this year were held in Clay, Dale, Etowah, Lawrence, Monroe, and Tuscaloosa counties. District meetings are used as an opportunity to discuss numerous county government issues but most importantly to review the association's legislative agenda for the next annual session of the Alabama Legislature. This year's district meetings were attended by more than 320 county officials and employees. This number is indicative of the ever-increasing popularity of the district meetings.

I asked the following question at the beginning of each meeting: "How many of you have ever had a family member placed in a nursing home?" Not surprisingly, as many as one-fourth of those in attendance at each location raised their hand. I then asked those who raised their hand what they felt about the cost associated with having someone reside in a nursing home. The resounding response was always "very expensive".

It is undisputed that a considerable percent of the American public will eventually need some type of long term care during their lives. It may be in-home care, intermediate care or nursing home confinement.

The cost for such care can be staggering. In many instances, assets that have been accumulated over a lifetime may be depleted in meeting the costs. Family members may have to contribute from their personal financial resources toward the costs of long term care for other family members.

In recognition of this universal problem, the ACCA Board of Directors recently endorsed a group long term care insurance program. The program is underwritten by Monumental Life Insurance Company and marketed by the National Center For Long Term Care, located in Prattville, Ala. This same group insurance program is currently available to all teachers and state employees in Alabama.

The members of the Board of Directors feel that this is a very sound program and recommend that it be made available to all elected county officials and employees. A program representative will contact each county individually. It is suggested that the representative be given an opportunity to make a presentation to the county commission or other appropriate persons. Once approved by the county commission, the representative should be given an opportunity to present the program to groups of county employees.

I join the Board of Directors in recommending this insurance program. The premiums are competitive and the benefit packages seem to be adequate. It is a benefit that county officials and employees should have available to them.

Additional information can be obtained by calling The National Center For Long Term Care at 1-866-899-5664.