Policy Corner: August 6, 2021

Lawmakers Introduce the Disabled Access Credit Expansion Act of 2021

Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Bob Casey, Jr. (D-Pa.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) along with Rep. Donald McEachin (D-Va.) have introduced the Disabled Access Credit Expansion Act of 2021, S. 2481 and H.R. 4714. The proposed legislation will make it easier for small businesses to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and to become accessible for people with disabilities. The bill would double the maximum tax credit in the existing Disabled Access Credit and allow more small businesses to receive it.

BIAA Urges Senate Appropriations Committee to Increase Funding for TBI Programs

The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) joined with other organizations to, send a letter to Senate Appropriators urging them to increase funding for fiscal year 2022 for traumatic brain injury programs (TBI) administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The letter specifically requests:

• $19 million for the ACL State TBI Partnership Program and $6 million for ACL TBI Protection & Advocacy Program;
• $11.7 million for the CDC Injury Center TBI Program, with $5 million to implement the National Concussion Surveillance System; and
• $15 million over 5 years for the ACL TBI Model Systems of Care at the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).

 The House of Representatives passed a seven-bill minibus fiscal year 2022 appropriations bill last week, which included increased funding for the ACL TBI Program, the NIDILRR research program (+$11.8 million), and CDC’s National Injury Center to implement the National Concussion Surveillance System, particularly addressing concussions associated with children and youth.

The House recommended a total of $124.8 million for NIDILRR, with the additional funding to be used for increased annual grant funding to competitively funded model systems centers, and the TBI Model Systems National Data and Statistical Center. Additional funding is also included for the National Institutes of Health BRAIN Initiative.

BIAA Calls for Congressional Leaders to include HCBS Funding in Budget Reconciliation

As Congress finalizes the budget reconciliation package, which is the vehicle being used to support the Better Care Better Jobs Act and includes funding for Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS), BIAA has joined other organizations in urging Congress to include $400 billion for HCBS and supports for the direct care workforce. Some lawmakers have proposed reducing HCBS funding to $150 billion. This proposal, referred to as the “human infrastructure” bill, is a companion bill to the infrastructure bill that provides funding for roads, bridges, rail, and broadband in rural areas.

The Senate was unable to reach an agreement Thursday on a $1 trillion bill to modernize public transit and upgrade aging infrastructure, including roads, bridges, pipes, and ports. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes $73 billion to modernize the nation’s energy grid and $21 billion to respond to environmental concerns, including pollution. The bill also includes $65 billion to ensure access to high-speed internet for all. The Senate is expected to take the bill up Saturday with limited debate in order to move the legislation forward.

Congress Adjourns for August Recess

The House of Representatives adjourned last Friday for the August recess, while the Senate is expected to work tomorrow, Saturday, beginning the debate on the infrastructure bill before adjourning.

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.