Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar
Associated Press
via MSNBC
10/14/2011
The Obama administration Friday pulled the plug on a major program in the president’s signature health overhaul law — a long-term care insurance plan dogged from the beginning by doubts over its financial solvency.
Targeted by congressional Republicans for repeal, the long-term care plan became the first casualty in the political and policy wars over the health care law. The program had been expected to launch in 2013.
“This is a victory for the American taxpayer and future generations,” said Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., spearheading opposition in the Senate. “The administration is finally admitting (the long-term care plan) is unsustainable and cannot be implemented.”
Proponents, including many groups that fought to pass the health care law, have vowed a vigorous effort to rescue the long-term care plan, insisting that Congress gave the administration broad authority to make changes.
Known as CLASS, the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports program was a longstanding priority of the late Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Edward M. Kennedy…
The article continues at MSNBC.com
H/T Weasel Zippers