Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Chair, I rise today in firm opposition to this legislation that would repeal the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act, the CLASS Act.
As part of the Affordable Care Act, the CLASS Act is our nation's first real attempt to provide voluntary, fiscally-responsible, long-term care for the more than 70 percent of Americans who will need such support at some point in their lifetimes.
As the Representative to thousands of seniors in Florida's 20th district, I know too well how hard our families strive to plan and pay for the long term care services that most of them so desperately need.
By repealing the CLASS Act, this Congress abandons millions of middle class seniors, Americans with disabilities, and all families struggling to provide long term care for loved ones.
Of course, we are willing to admit that this program isn't perfect. But that is no excuse for the Republicans' ``repeal and abandon'' approach to legislation--and our nation's seniors.
Rather than pull the rug out from under our seniors and loved ones--I urge my colleagues to work to fix this vital program.