New Home Care Services Insurance Gains White House Support

July 10, 2009

This week, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius expressed strong support for including the Community Living Assistance Services and Support: (CLASS) Act in health care reform legislation.

The AFSCME-supported CLASS Act is in the Senate HELP health care bill. It would create a national insurance program for workers who become functionally disabled. The new insurance would be financed through voluntary payroll deductions and will provide benefits for supports and services to workers to help them stay independent, employed and remain in their communities.

The CLASS Act has been introduced in the House but is not in its draft health care reform bill at this time.