[Missouri-l] Fw: [Modisabilaw] Senate HELP Committee Considers CLASS Act

[Chip Hailey]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Marty Exline 
To: MO Disability Policy/Law Listserv 
Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2009 6:15 PM
Subject: [Modisabilaw] Senate HELP Committee Considers CLASS Act


The U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee yesterday marked up the section of its health care reform proposal dealing with the CLASS Act.  There were 38 amendments offered on the section, with at least 20 approved.

 

The CLASS Act would pay a cash benefit for home-based long term care to persons unable to perform at least two activities of daily living.  The program would be paid for through premiums that individuals would voluntarily pay, most likely through payroll deductions, for at least five years prior to needing the services.  Debate in the HELP Committee yesterday focused on the long-term stability of the program.   Estimates are that premiums would actually provide a savings of $58 billion over the first ten years of the program. Critics on the committee said that beyond 20 years, the program would be insolvent without an increase in premiums.

 

President Obama weighed in this week with an endorsement of the CLASS Act, which could help its prospects to stay in the healthcare reform package that ends up being voted on by the Senate.   Generally, disability groups support the inclusion of the CLASS Act, but want it paired with the Community Choice Act which builds on the Money Follows the Person concept.  The Senate Finance Committee continues working on its own version of healthcare  reform as does the House with the "Tri-Committee bill" drafted by the three House committees with healthcare jurisdiction.



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