Long-term care is receiving attention on a national level!  Currently over 10 million people need long-term care services and supports, with an aging population this number is continuously growing.  Long-term care services and supports are essential to helping older American age in their homes and communities. While we at Health & Medicine’s Center for Long-Term Care Reform recognize the dire need for a long-term care system in Illinois, and are working hard to build that system, it is nice to see that there is some recognition at a federal level as well.

The Community Living Assistance Services and Support (CLASS) Act is a bill “to amend the Public Health Service Act to help individuals with functional impairments and their families pay for services and supports that they need to maximize their functionality and independence and have choices about community participation, education, and employment, and for other purposes.”

The CLASS Act was introduced in both the House of Representatives (HR 1721) and the Senate (S 697), and is also included in the final health reform bill in the House, “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act (HR 3200).

The CLASS Act makes it more affordable and accessible for older adults and persons with disabilities who have long-term care needs to purchase care services helping them remain in their homes and communities.

The Kaiser Family Foundation does a great job explaining all the details.  Check out their site This webpage, “The Sleep in Health Care Reform: Long-Term Care and the CLASS Act” has a wealth of information.

For additional information on Long-Term Care Issues, visit our Center for Long Term Care Reform  sub-page at Health & Medicine’s blog