Policy Corner: February 4, 2022

Senate HELP Committee to Hold Hearing on Employment Barriers

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, chaired by Patty Murray, D-Wash., will hold a hearing Feb. 8 on “Lessons Learned from COVID-19: Highlighting Innovations, Maximizing Inclusive Practices and Overcoming Barriers to Employment for People with Disabilities.”

BIAA Joins Disability Advocates in Supporting HCBS Infrastructure

The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) joined national organizations in sending a letter to House and Senate leadership to support the investment in Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) to remain part of any package that moves forward. The letter expressed concern about how the pandemic has exposed and exacerbated problems with the workforce necessary to provide vital services. The long history of inadequate funding at the federal level has resulted in people with disabilities not having choices for supports needed to live at home and in the community.

Senate HELP Committee Releases Discussion Draft on Prepare and Respond to Pandemics

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chair Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Ranking Member Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) released a discussion draft of the Prepare for and Respond to Existing Viruses, Emerging New Threats, and Pandemics Act (PREVENT Pandemics Act). The PREVENT Pandemics Act works to create a stronger public health, medical preparedness, and response system. Some key components include improving the strategy and coordination among our public health preparedness agencies; strengthening the supply chain and government stockpiles of medical products, such as masks, drugs, vaccines, and tests; responding to disparities that make public health emergencies harder on at-risk populations and communities; improving public health communication and address misinformation; and other similar public health emergency preparedness concerns.

Senate HELP Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on Health Care Workforce Shortage

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee’s Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety is holding a hearing Feb. 10 on “Recruiting, Revitalizing & Diversifying: Examining the Health Care Workforce Shortage.” The Subcommittee Chairman is Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) and the Ranking Member is Mike Braun (R-Ind.). The Subcommittee has jurisdiction over a variety of employment issues including workforce education and training, worker health and safety, wage and hour laws, and workplace flexibility.  

BIAA gratefully acknowledges the Centre for Neuro Skills and Avanir Pharmaceuticals for their support for legislative action. Click here to read past issues of Policy Corner.