Republicans lobby for CLASS repeal; aging groups push back
Sen. Jay D. Rockefeller (D-WV)
Sen. John Thune (R-SD) asked for a unanimous consent request Wednesday to officially kill the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act, which the White House withdrew its support from last month. Sen. Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.V.) objected to Thune's proposal, saying it's possible CLASS could be revised to become financially sustainable.
“Those who are gloating today about the administration's decision not to carry forward with the CLASS Act are not the fiscal heroes they make themselves out to be,” Rockefeller said.
Meanwhile, more than 50 elderly and disability rights advocates, including AARP and LeadingAge, signed and sent a letter to House leaders Reps. John Boehner (R-OH) and Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) asking them to reject further efforts to repeal CLASS.
“Rather than repeal CLASS, we urge continued dialogue and development of a viable path forward. The need to address LTSS (long-term services and supports) and how these services will be paid for in a way that is affordable to individuals and society as a whole will not go away,” the letter states.
Click here to read the letter.
