Influential groups are lobbying for the cap on social care costs to be scrapped ahead of committee stage discussions in the House of Lords.
UNISON, the National Pensions Convention and think tank United all for Ages has written to MPs with a ten point leaflet, calling for social care to be provided free at the point of use, funded through general taxation along the lines of the NHS-style model of care.
The groups are concerned that key issues with the current set up will not be addressed, including the "chronic underfunding" of the system and the impact this has on standards.
Dave Prentis, general secretary of UNISON said: "We are appealing to the Lords to make a stand against the coalition's plan to cap social care costs. The plans fail to address the key issues facing social care - the chronic underfunding of the system and the damaging impact on quality.
"Despite the government's claims, it will not stop the elderly from having to sell their homes to pay for their care. We think the cap should be scrapped with a national social care service put in place. It should be free at the point of use, funded through general taxation, similar to the NHS-style model of care."
Stephen Burke, director of United for All Ages, said: "The funding to introduce the cap will not inject much needed cash into the care system - it will simply substitute private spending with public spending. With almost one million older people already missing out on care and with demand for care growing for our ageing population, the care system desperately needs extra funding.
"There are fairer and better alternatives. The failure by this Government to meet the care challenge means that the next government will have to sort this out to meet the care needs of our ageing population."
