CLASS Act Approved As Part of Health Reform

After many years of hard work, advocates for seniors and persons with disabilities received a huge win with the passage of the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act, a measure included in the Senate health reform bill (H.R. 3590) that was approved 219 to 212 by the U.S. House of Representatives on Sunday night.

“This is a victory for the American people. And, it’s a victory of common sense,” President Obama said after the historic vote. “It’s not radical reform, but it is major reform,” added Obama.

The CLASS provisions would create a national insurance trust to provide modest cash benefits those in need. The legislation also would expand Medicaid to include 133 percent of federal poverty level ($29,327 for a family of four), and close the Medicare prescription drug “doughnut hole” by 2020. Starting in 2011, seniors affected by the “hole” would be eligible for a 50 percent discount on brand name drugs.

“The CLASS Act provisions included in the legislation will help seniors and people with disabilities obtain the services and supports they need to stay functional and independent, while providing them with choices about community participation, education and employment,” said Larry Minnix, AAHSA president. “We look forward to working with Congress and the Obama administration to implement this new insurance program that will help people take responsibility for their care as they age.”

After approving the health reform bill, the House voted to approve the Reconciliation Act of 2010 (H.R. 4872), which amends the Senate measure.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said the bill “enables people to have the freedom to have a healthy life,” calling it an “All American Act.”

H.R. 3590 heads to the president’s desk, while the reconciliation bill heads to the Senate for further deliberation. Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.)  believes a vote on the reconciliation bill will occur this week. We urge the Senate to pass the reconciliation bill sans amendments.