JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: Long-term care insurance coverage for the chronically ill got a high-profile push today. The president signed legislation that would make group coverage available to federal workers, active duty personnel and retired military. He's hoping private companies will follow his lead. CNN's Major Garrett is at the White House -- Major.</s>MAJOR GARRETT, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good day, Jeanne. The legislation the president signed today here at the White House will affect 20 million Americans: as you said, federal workers, military workers and their immediate families. It's not a direct government benefit. It doesn't provide any new services. What it does allow these folks to do, however, is purchase long-term care insurance at group rates, something they couldn't do before this legislation was signed. The president said at the signing ceremony he hopes this will be one of many steps the White House and Congress take this year to address long-term care issues.</s>WILLIAM J. CLINTON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Today's signing represents an important step toward making the -- toward meeting the phenomenal demographic changes that we're facing in a humane and decent and, I believe, highly intelligent way. It helps to make sure that the aging of America will be, on balance, a great blessing and not an overwhelming burden to our children and our grandchildren.</s>GARRETT: Long-term care is usually for the elderly, but also younger folks can need it too. It is essentially for those people who cannot carry out daily functions: dress themselves, clothe themselves and get around their house. Nursing home care can cost $50,000 a year, and if you don't have insurance to cover those costs, many families can be bankrupted. The White House and Congress are working on further measures, tax deductions and tax credits, to further reduce those costs. They might be wrapped up as the budget wars continue this month -- Jeanne.</s>MESERVE: Major Garrett at the White House, thank you.
President Clinton Signs Long-Term Care Insurance Plan