Letters

Help people remain independent

11/2/2009 8:15:02 AM

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Imagine if the most basic tasks became a challenge for you -- preparing a meal, getting dressed or getting to an appointment. Unless you are among the small percentage of Americans who have long-term-care insurance or could afford non-medical assistance on your own, you might not be able to stay in your own home.

The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act, proposed by the late Senator Edward Kennedy, as chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP), would significantly expand federal assistance for people needing long-term care and would create a federal long-term care insurance program for functionally disabled adults.

The CLASS Act wouldn't replace regular health insurance. Financed by voluntary payroll deductions, the program would help people access services that would allow them to stay at home when they would otherwise not be able to.

The Congressional Budget Office found that the CLASS Act is sustainable over time, and would reduce Medicaid spending and costs by nearly $59 billion over 10 years. The CLASS Act would mark a major step forward in improving the ability of all Americans to remain in the place they are most comfortable -- at home.

I know that if I were someday unable to care for myself, I would want the care made possible by the CLASS Act available to me. If you feel the same way, please contact your legislators and ask them to support the CLASS Act in health reform measures.

Patricia Jump

Stewartville

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puppygog
rochester, mn

Posted on 11/2/2009 at 7:24:54 PM

I keep reading about all the billions that can be saved from medacare and medicaid with these new programs? If this is correct what is our government doing wrong now? And why wouldn’t they jump on it?

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