America is in crisis. People are protesting here and there. Government authorities, bank owners and critics blame each other for the downturn of the most powerful country in the world.
Just recently, critics are debating regarding the so-called Zombie in the budget that is poses a federal deficit of $80 billion over the next 10 years. The program that they are referring to is Community Living Assistance Service and Support; a health care program that the Obama administration has put on hold but is still causing debt.
Community Assistance Service and Support program also known as CLASS is a program that provides assistance to those citizens who are unable to perform at least 2 activities of daily living. The person may either be physically impaired or cognitively challenged for more than 90 days. The program will be funded by voluntary salary deduction among workers aging from 18 years old and above. Those who would apply for the program would pay an affordable premium while they were healthy and will get a support in the form of cash if they become disabled.The CLASS program was envisioned to lessen the burden of the families caring for a long-term disabled person.
Critics argue that the program was created as a way of the government officials steal money from the people. The fact that the program is not implemented and is put on hold but still causing billions of deficits to the country makes it suspicious to the public eyes. As analysts say, they may have stopped its implementation but there is no way they are getting rid of it. They say that the government needs the money in it.
The administration answered the allegations against them but they only made vague statements which made the situation worse. One thing is confirmed though; they are planning to revise the program. Meanwhile, despite the unclear plans of the administration regarding the program, supporters of CLASS are becoming worried and angry. They want the administration to carry on with the implementation of the program since the president no longer needs additional authority from the congress.
The issue will not fade unless the government will be producing a clear platform regarding its plans. The government should understand that people are in crisis so as much as possible they would want to know where their money go and where they would get cheap health benefits. Analysts see that the government will be cutting short other federal budget to cover up for the deficit caused by the hypothetical savings from the CLASS program.
It is up to the government to make its steps now. Many people say that it really makes no sense why they are making up for the deficit for a program that is not even implemented. If it has been placed on hold then why does it need to spend? The citizens who are complaining regarding the issue are hoping that the government would be more transparent than it used to be. Money and jobs are scarce so as much as possible they would want their wealth to be spent more wisely rather than using them in bailouts.