HSS SECRETARY KATHLEEN SEBELIUS RELEASES RECOMMENDATION TO HALT THE CLASS ACT  Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced last Friday her recommendation to halt implementation of the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act.  In letters to congressional leaders, Sebelius wrote that she does not see "a viable path forward for CLASS implementation at this time" and recommends a halt to the program's implementation efforts. The CLASS Act was established through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to be an optional, government-backed, long-term care insurance program that requires a five-year vesting period before subscribers can collect benefits.  Because of this vesting period, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that in its first 10 years $70 billion in deficit reductions would occur as a result.  These estimated savings were crucial to securing support for - and ultimately passage of - health care reform legislation.  Since its inception, however, many experts have pointed to key design flaws such as the program's brief vesting periods and large threat of adverse selection as a recipe for disaster. For more on this recommendation please see the Memo from Secretary Sebelius.  If you have any immediate questions concerning your company's health plan or any health care reform provisions, please contact your Unison Employee Benefits Consultant.