The Jewish Federations of North America is honored that Judith Y. Brachman of Columbus, a dedicated national and communal lay leader, has been appointed by Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner to the newly created national Commission on Long-Term Care.
 
The commission was created by the recent fiscal cliff agreement to help improve the delivery and financing of support for Americans in need of long-term services.
 
“We thank Speaker Boehner for his nomination of Ms. Brachman to this high commission, which will be at the center of our national discourse on the critical issue of long-term care,” said Michael Siegal, chair of the JFNA Board of Trustees.
 
“We are honored that Judith and JFNA are being recognized for the pivotal role we can play in contributing to the national purpose of transforming long-term supports and services in the 21st Century. JFNA looks forward to working constructively with Ms. Brachman and this national commission on these pressing national issues.”
 
Brachman has been a long-time active member of JFNA’s board, and has served with distinction as national co-chair of JFNA’s Aging and Family Caregiving Committee for the past five years. She has been a senior vice president of the Columbus Jewish Federation, and in the public field has served as President of the National Association of State Units on Aging.
 
Brachman has had a distinguished record of professional service, including prominent government positions in the health and housing sectors. From 1991 to 1999, she was the director of the Ohio Department of Aging, a Cabinet agency that administers services and support for older adults, their caregivers and their families. Brachman also served as Assistant Secretary of Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
 
“I appreciate very much receiving this appointment, which is related to my work in the public sector and to our Federations’ charitable activities. This will be very important in addressing the long-term needs of older Americans and the many families requiring special help.”
 
The commission, created by the fiscal cliff agreement, will consist of 15 people, appointed by Speaker Boehner, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senate Leader Harry Reid, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, and President Obama. The panel will focus on how Medicare and Medicaid programs, along with the private long-term care insurance market, can better meet the needs of people who are elderly, have cognitive or functional limitations or are otherwise in need of care in daily life. Agencies deeply involved in long-term care were invited to offer names for appointment.
 
The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) is a national leader in long-term care finance and delivery. Our nonprofit network of 154 Jewish Federations along with hundreds of partner agencies that include hospitals, aging facilities, and home & community-based providers deliver care to the neediest in their respective communities.