The CLASS Act and Health Care Reform – Let the Design Begin

The CLASS Act (Community Living Assistance Services and Supports) is now officially part of America’s future after President Obama signed the health care reform bill.  And in the coming months and next two years we are going to hear a lot more about it.  It will be the world’s first public voluntary long-term care insurance plan.  You can read the full text of the bill here. 

Thanks to everyone who advocated for this legislation, including members of Ecumen’s Changing Aging advocacy network.

What happens next?   . . . .

Now that President signed the bill, attention turns to the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services.  This is where full implementation of The CLASS Act and the marketing/communications strategy to roll it out to America will be developed.  Based on information we’ve heard, sign up for The CLASS Act likely won’t begin until 2012.

At some point in our human and American evolution, we’ll all have long-term care coverage.  Another step in history is unfolding with passage of The CLASS Act . . . .

Following are other posts on The CLASS Act:  New Old Age Blog (N.Y. Times), Future of Aging Blog, National Public Radio, Caring for Our Parents.  Also, here’s a perspective from a person in the long-term care insurance industry who opposes the CLASS Act.