The White House reaffirmed its support for the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act on Wednesday during a town-hall style meeting. Vice President Joe Biden and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius hosted the event.
Biden told the assembled crowd of seniors in Silver Springs, MD, that health insurance reform would protect seniors, “not burden them with our of pocket costs.” Biden and Sebelius then released a new report, “Health Insurance Reform and Medicare: Making Medicare Stronger for America’s Seniors.” The report clarifies some of the proposals concerning the effects of reform on seniors. Health insurance reform will create a new voluntary long-term care services insurance program (otherwise known as the CLASS Act), according to the report. The act would provide a cash benefit to help seniors and people with disabilities obtain services and supports that will enable them to remain in their homes and communities.
Recent new stories from Washington have indicated that the White House might be hedging its bets on the CLASS Act, but this new report indicates otherwise. Health insurance reform, including the CLASS Act, would help ensure all seniors get the high-quality, affordable care they deserve, Sebelius said.
To view the report, visit http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/medicare/medicare.pdf.
