"We can't reduce premiums without reducing benefits," the Senator said in an interview after the hearing.
The couple can reduce premiums by buying only one policy and sharing its benefits.
Supporters say it could reduce average annual premiums by $120.
Extending the waiting period before coverage begins is one way to reduce premiums.
Since late 2004, he said, the department has already reduced premiums for drivers by about $500 million a year.
To reduce premiums, experts say, long-term care policies should be bought before age 60.
They say it will reduce premiums by assessing $1.4 billion against insurance companies.
In addition, the bill would require changes to the plan design necessary to reduce current premiums by 5%.
But the government has also demanded that the insurers reduce premiums.
There are a number of other steps you can take to reduce premiums.