Washington, DC – As the nation’s largest organization working on behalf of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), The Arc released the following statement on today’s Congressional hearing on the CLASS Act.

“The reality is the long term services and supports needs of people with disabilities simply can’t be put on hold while Congress engages in partisan attacks. CLASS is make or break for millions of American families – Congress and HHS must find a path forward to keep this promise and take pressure off of Medicaid, or they will leave the American people with terrible choices to make that will affect their health and dignity,” said Marty Ford, Public Policy Director for The Arc.

The Arc is concerned about the tone of portions of today’s hearing and believes the issue of long term services and supports should not become a partisan football. The Arc is heartened by the commitments of some of the Committee members to find a solution to this long term care problem for millions of Americans, including people with I/DD.

The Arc advocates for and serves people with I/DD, including Down syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses. The Arc has a network of over 700 chapters across the country promoting and protecting the human rights of people with I/DD and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes and without regard to diagnosis.