The CLASS Act -- Session ID 33275

The A&PH Section is sponsoring an invited Symposium on the CLASS Act. The Affordable Care Act of 2010 established the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports, or CLASS, Plan, a voluntary, publicly administered long term care insurance program. By law, CLASS must be self sustaining through premiums without the infusion of federal tax dollars. As currently structured, however, the program does not appear to be financially viable. Many policy-makers have called for its repeal.

Speakers include Connie Garner, PhD, executive director of Advance CLASS. Connie was Sen. Ted Kennedy's staff member who drew up the CLASS provisions in health reform. She now heads up an advocacy group trying to insure a sustainable program. John Wren, deputy assistant secretary for community living assistance services and supports, heads up the CLASS Office for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which is charged with program implementation. Regulations must be issued by Oct. 1, 2012. Joan Van Nostrand, DPA, formally director of research, ORHP, HRSA, DHHS will discuss the challenges of enrolling "hard to reach" population groups.

There have been several articles in the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times discussing the merits and pitfalls of the legislation. Most address the financing dilemmas. All acknowledge the need. Few have viable solutions to the solvency issue.

Gerry Eggert is the organizer and moderator.