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Statement From Larry Minnix, President & CEO, American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, on the Beginning of the Reconciliation Process for Health Reform Legislation

WASHINGTON, March 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from Larry Minnix, President & CEO, American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging:

"We commend the leadership in Congress and the Administration for their commitment to passing health reform legislation that will help millions of seniors and their caregivers. We call on other members of Congress to follow suit. Leadership trumps politics, and our country's seniors deserve leadership now on health reform.

"Long-term services and supports are an essential part of health care and the financing of them is in dire need of reform. Ten million Americans need long-term services and supports every day. Many people don't realize that Medicare won't pay for long-term services and supports. Indeed, more than 200 million adults lack insurance coverage for long-term care. That's more than four times the number of Americans without health insurance.

"Provisions in the health reform legislation would make it affordable to care for these individuals. The CLASS Act provisions would expand access to long-term care insurance for most American workers. The legislation would offer expanded access to home and community-based services in Medicaid, an important advancement for elders and younger adults with disabilities. An unprecedented coalition of more than 200 aging and disability organizations have come together in support of these provisions, according to Senator Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.).

"Passing this complicated legislation requires leadership. Leadership trumps politics. The time for health reform is now. "

The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (www.aahsa.org) is a national network of community-based nonprofit organizations that provide services and supports to people as they age. These 5,400 organizations connect with millions of older persons and their families every day. They provide home health care, adult day services, hospice, senior housing, nursing care, assisted living, continuing care and a broad range of related services. AAHSA is the most trusted advocate for aging whose spirit of transformational stewardship and close collaboration with its members consistently improves lives.

SOURCE American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging