| Major Recent EventsMedicaid/LTSS: House and Senate Approve MFP Extension On March 25, the House of Representatives approved the Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act of 2019 (H.R.1839) which adds an additional $20 million for the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program through September 30, 2019. The Senate passed H.R.1839 on April 2. It now awaits the President’s signature. MFP has helped more than 88,000 seniors and individuals with disabilities move out of nursing homes and institutions. Independent evaluations have proven that MFP improves the quality of life for individuals and has reduced Medicaid and Medicare expenditures by approximately 23%. The Arc strongly supports reauthorization of MFP. Additionally, the bill extends Medicaid’s spousal impoverishment protections for home and community-based services beneficiaries until September 30. The spousal impoverishment protection allows the spouse of a Medicaid long term services and supports (LTSS) beneficiary to maintain a modest amount of income and resources for food, rent, and medication. Health/LTSS: Medicare for All Plan With LTSS Coverage Introduced in the House On April 10, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and 14 other Senators introduced the Medicare for All Act of 2019 (S.1129) which expands Medicare to cover all residents. It also eliminates all out-of-pocket costs for all benefits except prescription drugs and expands benefits to include home and community-based long term services and supports (LTSS), among other things. The Arc supports including provisions to address the need for LTSS in any comprehensive health reform proposal. Budget & Appropriations: House Committee Passes Bill to Increase Spending Caps for FY 2020 On April 4, the House Budget Committee reported out the Investing for the People Act (H.R.2021) to raise on defense and nondefense discretionary (NDD) spending by $88 billion each in FY 2020 and FY 2021. If the spending caps created by the Budget Control Act of 2011 remain in place, non-defense discretionary (NDD) funding will be reduced by $55 billion (9%) compared to the current fiscal year. The NDD part of the federal budget includes education, housing, employment, transportation, Developmental Disabilities Councils, protection and advocacy (P&A) programs, university centers on disabilities, and many more programs. The vote was 19-17, largely along party lines. The bill was subsequently pulled before making it to the House floor due to disagreements among Democrats regarding the relative increase for defense and NDD programs. Family Support: Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Introduced in the House and Senate On April 2, Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Representatives Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) introduced the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2019 (S.995,H.R.2035). This bipartisan bill reauthorizes the Lifespan Respite Care Program through fiscal year 2024. The Lifespan Respite Care Program, through grants to states, helps build coordinated state lifespan respite systems, helps family caregivers pay for respite or find funding sources, encourages development of new and innovative community and faith based respite opportunities, and trains respite workers and volunteers. The Arc supports this legislation. AnnouncementsEducation: Education Department Releases School Climate Guidance On April 10, the Department of Education released a guidance documenttitled “Parent and Educator Guide to School Climate Resources.” This document provides strategies schools can use to improve school climate, reduce disciplinary issues, and make schools safer. The document recommends the use of school-wide positive behavior support programs. |
The Capitol Insider For the Week of April 15, 2019
