| Major Recent Events Health: House Passes Bill to Improve the ACA On May 16, the House of Representatives passed H.R.987, which reverses administrative actions weakening the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It rescinds the Department of Health and Human Services regulation expanding the use of short-term limited-duration insurance (STLDI). STLDI plans are not required to cover people pre-existing conditions, and can charge higher premiums based on age, gender, or health status. Additionally, it restores funding for consumer outreach and education programs and the Navigator Program, which were cut by the Administration. Major Events Ahead Housing: House Committee to Hold Hearing on HUD Oversight On May 21, the House Committee on Financial Services will hold a hearing titled “Housing in America: Oversight of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.” Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Dr. Ben Carson will testify. As stated in the Committee’s announcement, the hearing will examine “the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s current state of affairs and address major changes to agency policies and programs since 2017.” Visit the Committee web site for more information or to access live video on the day of the hearing. Announcements Education: GAO Blog Notes Disparities on 65th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education May 17, 2019 marked the 65th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the 1954 Supreme Court Case that held public school segregation based on race was unconstitutional. In light of this anniversary, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a blog post discussing three recent reports on disparities that still exist in education. The first report noted the rise in the percentage of schools where 75% or more of the students were black or Hispanic and eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. The second report discusses the disproportionate use of discipline against black students, boys, and students with disabilities. The third report discusses the limited course offerings at high-poverty schools. |
The Capitol Insider for the Week of May 20
