LeadingAge Statement on Energy & Commerce CLASS Hearing: Appoint the Advisory Commission to Help Seek Solutions

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- We support Rep. Frank Pallone's call for the Administration to appoint the CLASS Advisory Council as required by law.  We encourage the Administration to appoint the council as a means to helping the Administration move forward with developing the CLASS insurance program.  We also express our gratitude to former Rep. Patrick Kennedy and Rep. Ted Deutch for their testimony in support of the CLASS program at the hearing held by the Energy and Commerce Committee today.  Their testimony highlighted the important role CLASS can play to help people plan and pay for their eventual long-term supports needs.

Both the supporters and opponents of CLASS on the committee recognized that our country must find a solution to how we help support families as they care for people in their own homes. However, without CLASS, people who need help with the most basic activities of daily living will continue to be forced onto Medicaid. CLASS benefits will help reduce the cost to state and federal governments and we urge the Administration to continue working to develop this program.

Caring is non-partisan, and helping people is the solution not the problem.

About LeadingAge
To expand the world of possibilities for aging, LeadingAge members and affiliates touch the lives of millions of individuals, families, employees and volunteers every day. The LeadingAge community includes 5,400 not-for-profit organizations in the United States, 38 state partners, hundreds of businesses, research partners, consumer organizations, foundations and a broad global network of aging services organizations that reach over 30 countries.  The work of LeadingAge is focused on advocacy, leadership development, and applied research and promotion of effective services, home health, hospice, community services, senior housing, assisted living residences, continuing care communities, nursing homes, as well as technology solutions, to seniors, children, and others with special needs.

SOURCE LeadingAge