Policy Corner: November 22, 2019

President Signs Stop-Gap Funding Bill

President Trump signed the Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Further Health Extenders Act of 2019, H.R. 3055, to continue funding federal agencies through Dec. 20. The continuing resolution funds most programs and activities at the FY2019 levels with several exceptions that provide funding flexibility and additional appropriations to various programs, including the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. The measure also extends several expiring health programs, including several public health, Medicare, and Medicaid authorities and programs; the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, and related programs. The bill also provides a pay raise for the military, repeals a rescission of state highway funding, and modifies the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund. Federal funding was set to expire Nov. 21.

Senate Passes Representative Payee Fraud Prevention Act

The Senate passed the Representative Payee Fraud Prevention Act of 2019, S. 1430, this week. The legislation will make it unlawful for a representative payee to use all or any part of funds received other than for the use and benefit of the individual on whose behalf such funds were received. The bill is sponsored by Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.). The purpose is to close a loophole; currently, misuse of funds by a representative payee is punishable if the Social Security Administration or Veterans Affairs issues the payments, but not if those payments are issued by the Office of Personnel Management for federal retirement benefits. Specifically, the legislation would give U.S. attorneys the statutory authority to prosecute retiree representatives who misuse funds from the Federal Employees Retirement System and the Civil Service Retirement System.

BIAA Supports Provisions of the Proposed Prescription Drug Price Reduction Act

The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) signed a letter drafted by the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Health Task Force to Senate Committee on Finance Chair Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) regarding the Prescription Drug Price Reduction Act (PDPRA) of 2019. The CCD Health Task Force strongly supports capping out-of-pocket costs for Medicare Part D and many other provisions of the bill. The creation of an out-of-pocket cap will help people with disabilities and chronic conditions on Medicare who face significant prescription drug costs. The PDPRA sets a cap at $3,100 beginning in 2022. The organizations urge Congress to institute the cap sooner and to lower the cap to $2,000 as proposed in the Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019, H.R. 3.

House and Senate Adjourn for Thanksgiving

The Senate and House of Representatives are adjourning and will return to work Dec. 3. Have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving!