July 26, 2011 -- Last week a bipartisan group of Senators called the "Gang of Six" released a new deficit reduction plan that would repeal health reform's CLASS Act and cut Medicaid and other health programs. CLASS will help working Americans avoid unnecessary placements in nursing homes or other institutions if they acquire disabilities and need long-term care (see Bazelon Center's March Policy Reporter for more information on CLASS). The Congressional Budget Office says CLASS will save $83 billion over 10 years. Lawmakers who champion the elimination of CLASS are not reducing the deficit -- they are adding to it.
This is just another proposal that would undermine essential health care programs for our most vulnerable Americans. Please help us preserve the CLASS Act and protect Medicaid!
What You Can Do
Use the toll free number (888-785-9795) to contact your Senators and Representative and tell them:
- Don't repeal health reform's CLASS Act
- CLASS Will Help Americans - remain in their homes while getting the care they need.
- CLASS Saves Money - The Congressional Budget Office said CLASS will reduce the budget deficit by $83 billion over 10 years.
- Americans Support CLASS - A Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard poll found that 76% of Americans support the CLASS Act program.
- Reject proposals to cut Medicaid, a crucial lifeline for children and adults with serious mental disabilities.
Thank you!
Resources
See www.advanceclass.org for fact sheets, articles and other information on the CLASS Act.
See the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities' Gang of Six Plan Represents Useful Step Forward, Despite Troubling Elements