July 10, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contacts: Lauren Shaham, AAHSA, (202) 508-1219

Statement from Larry Minnix, President & CEO American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA), On the Introduction of the CLASS Act

"We congratulate Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Representatives John D. Dingell and Frank Pallone, Jr. for introducing the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act of 2007.

Ten million Americans, including six million over age 65, need long-term care. Yet despite families’ considerable efforts and substantial public expenditures, many are left to struggle with unmet needs and catastrophic costs. An even greater challenge looms as the baby boomers age. This will double the need for long-term care over the next three decades.

We support the CLASS Act because it would create a publicly-driven financing plan whose premiums provide cash benefits to pay for long-term supportive services and care. Through our own extensive research, we have determined that a universal basic insurance program, funded by all of us, is the only sensible way to benefit those in need without creating an unreasonable financial burden.

Successful cash payment programs for long-term care already exist both here and abroad. These programs include the recent Cash and Counseling demonstrations tested in three states and the German insurance system implemented a decade ago.

The CLASS Act will help ensure that all Americans can receive the services they need, when they need them, in the place they call home. That’s a value we all can support."

---

About AAHSA
The members of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (www.aahsa.org) help millions of individuals and their families every day through mission-driven, not-for-profit organizations dedicated to providing the services that people need, when they need them, in the place they call home. Our 5,800 member organizations, many of which have served their communities for generations, offer the continuum of aging services: adult day services, home health, community services, senior housing, assisted living residences, continuing care retirement communities and nursing homes. AAHSA’s commitment is to create the future of aging services through quality people can trust.