60 Seconds with...Larry Minnix

CLASS proponents received a jolt of support Wednesday when a handful of Democrats advocated giving the long-term care insurance program another chance.

During a joint hearing of two House Energy and Commerce Committee subcommittees, Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) called out Health and Human Services for not moving forward with implementing the program, The Hill reported. He also urged officials to appoint a 15-person advisory council for the CLASS Act.

Also testifying in support of CLASS were former Rep. Patrick Kennedy and Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA). They’re battling Republicans who want to repeal the program, which was included under the Affordable Care Act.

LeadingAge, which is a chief advocate of CLASS, issued a statement saying that it supports Pallone’s efforts to call for an advisory committee.

“Both the supporters and opponents of CLASS on the committee recognized that our country must find a solution to how we help support families as they care for people in their own homes,” the statement said. “CLASS benefits will help reduce the cost to state and federal governments and we urge the Administration to continue working to develop this program.”