The U.S. Senate is now debating its health care reform bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.  And while the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act has stayed in the bill this far, it could be stripped from the bill any day now.   In fact, there will be an amendment to eliminate the CLASS Act from the bill.
 
One of the biggest obstacles for the CLASS Act is misperception among Members of Congress and their staff that people with disabilities belong in the Medicaid program and cannot work.  We must set the record straight and let our Senators know that, while Medicaid is an essential safety net, millions of people who now have or later develop disabilities work and want to take personal responsibility for their long term care needs. This is an empowerment issue - People should not be forced into poverty to get the support they need.