Rep. Ellison Leads Colleagues In Protecting Long-Term Care For Seniors
Statement
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, yesterday led fifteen Members of Congress in calling for a long-term health care plan for millions of Americans, after Republicans sought to repeal the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act. For 90 minutes, Members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus called on Republicans in Congress to stop playing politics with health care for our seniors.
The CLASS Act, which is part of Health Care Reform, would create a voluntary, premium-financed insurance program to help individuals purchase long-term care services. The Administration has said it cannot implement the program as written, but supports continued efforts to create an effective program. Currently, 180,000 Minnesotans receive long-term care, according to the Minnesota Long-Term Care Partnership. This number is only going to increase as the population ages. The number of Minnesotans over the age of 85 is projected to grow by 61 percent by 2030.
"Regardless of political leanings, everyone knows someone whose family is taking care of a loved one," said Rep. Ellison, "It's a shame that some Members of Congress are trying to take away long-term care options for seniors. Instead of trying to find an effective solution Republicans want the status quo, which keeps insurance companies flush and middle-class Americans in danger of living their golden years in poverty."
"We know we need to transform our healthcare system. We know what we have now is not working; it would be a shame to remove the CLASS Act as an option since it has been vetted as a viable option to help those in need," added Shirley Barnes, Administrator of Crest View Care Center in Columbia Heights, Minn. "By the year 2020 it is estimated that people who may benefit by the CLASS Act will be one of the largest segments of our population. The residents of Crest View have told me they would like Congress to refine the CLASS Act but do not repeal it before it even has a chance to improve their lives."
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