The abrupt decision by the Department of Health and Human Services to end the CLASS Act last week wasn’t expected by advocates and they’re now dealing with the aftermath reports Politico.
The news was a slap in the face to CLASS advocates, who knew a report was imminent but did not suspect it would be a death certificate.
“I don’t know what happened,” said Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), a champion of the program. “I didn’t find out until a half an hour before it came out.” Pallone said HHS Assistant Secretary on Aging Kathy Greenlee told him, “This is the report. And we’re dropping it.”
According to Politico, the administration sent mixed messages about the program and its commitment. After the announcement Friday, administration officials perpetuated the confusion.
“I feel like somebody just called me about how to do really good pet care after they shot my dog,” William L. Minnix, president of LeadingAge, which represents nonprofit nursing homes and related groups, said on Monday.
Minnix said administration officials also asked for help blunting the media message that CLASS is dead and HHS killed it. But they’ve offered scant evidence to the contrary. In the aftermath, health care spokesman Nick Papas has said repealing CLASS “isn’t necessary or productive,” a far cry from a veto threat.
Demise of long-term care mourned
Written by John Yedinak
