House committee passes bill repealing CLASS Act

As expected, the House Ways and Means Committee passed a bill on Wednesday repealing the CLASS Act.

The bill, H.R. 1173, was sponsored by Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA) and passed the committee by a vote of 23-13. One Democrat, Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) broke ranks with his party to support the bill, which is called the Fiscal Responsibility and Retirement Security Act. It calls for a full repeal of the Affordable Care Act's controversial Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act, a long-term care insurance benefit.

Democrats on the committee — as well as President Obama — have argued that CLASS should be replaced, not repealed. H.R. 1173 is expected to reach the floor of the House of Representatives next month, although it is not expected to win enough support to pass in the Senate.