Policy Corner: September 21, 2018

Senate Passes Final Conference Agreement on Minibus Appropriations

This week, the Senate passed the final conference agreement reached on H.R. 6157, one of three fiscal year 2019 minibus appropriations packages to fund federal programs starting Oct. 1. H.R. 6157 includes funding bills for the Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. The bill also contains a continuing resolution (CR) through December 7, 2018, for any appropriations bills not enacted before October 1, 2018. The House is expected to vote on the legislation next week.

As reported last week, the agreement provides an additional $4 million for National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) to fund competitive research grants that help individuals with disabilities, with a particular emphasis on seniors, to maintain or improve independence. Both House and Senate Appropriation Committees supported language opposing transferring the program to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as proposed by the President’s budget. The Administration for Community Living’s (ACL) Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) program is level funded at $11,321,000, which is $2 million more than the previous year and above the President’s budget request. This amount is combined funding for the Protection & Advocacy and State Partnership grant programs.

House Committee Approves the Money Follows the Person Legislation

On September 13, the House Energy & Commerce Committee approved the EMPOWER Care Act, H.R. 5306, which reauthorizes Money Follows the Person (MFP) for one year. MFP helps states to rebalance their Medicaid long-term care systems by increasing the use of community options and assists individuals with brain injury transitioning from institutional care to the community. The bill now goes to the House for a full vote.

Senator Casey Introduces Bill to Expand Social Security Benefits

Senator Bob Casey, Jr. (D-Pa.) introduced S. 3457, the Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment (SWIFT) Act, Wednesday to help Americans achieve financial security in retirement by fixing outdated and arbitrary restrictions that prevent many Social Security recipients, particularly women and people with disabilities, from maximizing their benefits. The bill would also enhance outreach and education about when and how to claim Social Security.

The House Returns Next Monday

The House was on recess this week and will return next Monday, September 24.

BIAA gratefully acknowledges the Centre for Neuro Skills and Avanir Pharmaceuticals for their support for legislative action.