House panel votes for repeal of CLASS
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health recommended a repeal of the CLASS Act Tuesday, according to published reports.The House panel vote follows a defeated attempt at a unanimous consent request by Senate Republicans to repeal the long-term care benefit last week.
The panel's Democrats — except for Rep. Jim Matheson (D-Utah), who voted against the Affordable Care Act originally — continued to stand by the CLASS legislation, which the Obama administration shelved in October.
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), who co-sponsored CLASS in the House, expressed his frustration with Republicans during the panel's hearing, saying the repeal bill was a waste of time.
"Repeal at this point accomplishes nothing other than to send a very negative message to the disabled community,” Pallone said, The Hill reported.
