Advocates for the CLASS Act can take some comfort in knowing that efforts for full repeal of the program are at a dead end, at least for the rest of this year.

Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA), who sponsored a bill aiming to repeal the Affordable Care Act’s long-term care benefit, told The Hill that the payroll tax package was Congress’s last chance to repeal CLASS before Congress adjourns for the year. Boustany said he encouraged House Republicans to include repeal provisions in the payroll tax package, but House leaders wanted the package to be as simple as possible.

Boustany also told The Hill that he is working on replacement legislation for Community Living Assistance Services and Supports, or CLASS Act.

The CLASS Act’s most vocal advocate, LeadingAge, persists in fighting repeal efforts.

“We believe CLASS is the only existing solution for financing long-term care that embodies the principles of choice, flexibility and broad access without underwriting,” LeadingAge President and CEO, Larry Minnix, told McKnight’s. That is why we continue to lobby against its repeal.”