The Office of Community Living Assistance Services and Supports has had staff cut and received no funding for 2012. However, executive director Jesse Slome of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance indicated the voluntary program has not been cancelled.
He indicated the program has been postponed and may be reconsidered. When implemented, CLASS will provide benefits averaging $50 per day for long-term care services, such as at-home care.
The Repeal CLASS Working Group and others wondered if the program had been cancelled, particularly in light of the resignation of chief actuary Bob Yee. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stated the program remains viable but will go into effect only if it is solvent and self-sustaining, in accordance with previous statements by Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
"As we have said in the past, it is an open question whether the program will be implemented," the Departmental statement indicated. According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, CLASS funding for 2012 was cut to zero due to the program's delayed implementation and Congressional Budget Office estimates that premium collection will not begin until 2013.
