"Let's do the CLASS Act. I would ask the Department go back to the drawing board, be optimistic, and come up with a plan that implements the CLASS Act."
"I have to tell you, when I go home... Why doesn't Washington do something? Why are you guys so negative? Why don't you take action?"
"By far and away, the largest spender for long-term care comes through the Medicaid program."
"This represented the first real attempt at the national level to tackle the country's long-term care puzzle."
"Everyone acknowledges that. But regrettably, Republicans have called this hearing today to dwell on the problems."
"Our goal really should be to work together to design better solutions, and not give up."
"First of all, I would like to see whether or not we are even going to have a meeting."
"I think at some point if you could ask the Secretary, I would like to also meet with the counsel because I simply disagree with those recommendations."
"I just disagree with I guess HHS counsel or whoever is advising you both with regard to the CLASS independence advisory council..."
"I am concerned that it has been turned into a political football because some of my Republican colleagues on the committee released a report last month that made some very alarming allegations."
"We can't just play ostrich on this and turn it into a political football and say this isn't going to be a problem."