Policy Corner: December 10, 2021

Lawmakers to Hold Virtual Rally for Build Back Better Act

Sen. Robert Casey, Jr. (D-Pa.) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) will hold a grassroots virtual rally Dec. 13 to highlight policies in the “Build Back Better Act” supporting people with disabilities and older adults and efforts to secure final passage of the bill. The call will be held from 6:15 p.m. –6:45 p.m. EST. To join the rally, call (415) 527-5035; access code: 2760 179 5336. Click here to join the call with captions. The event is supported by the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO), the Consortium of Citizens for Disabilities Long Term Services and Support Task Force (CCD-LTSS), and the Disability and Aging Collaborative (DAC).

The Build Back Better Act, which has passed the House of Representatives, makes major investments, including Child Tax and Earned Income Tax Credits; paid leave; home and community-based services (HCBS); child care; affordable housing; climate action, environmental justice; universal pre-kindergarten and college assistance; relief for immigrants, and lowering the cost of prescription drugs. The last expanded monthly Child Tax Credit arrives Dec. 15. The IRS has reportedly stated that Congress must act no later than Dec. 28 to ensure January’s payments will go out on time to tens of millions of families. If the bill does not pass by the end of the year, nearly 10 million children below the poverty line or deeper will be impacted.

With regard to home and HCBS, the bill

• Provides $150 billion to expand access to HCBS and care for older adults and people with disabilities, including brain injury.
• Provisions to improve provider payment rates and giving states the resources to improve their infrastructure for HCBS.
• Makes permanent the Money Follows the Person and the spousal impoverishment program to help individuals with disabilities receive home-based services in lieu of institutional care.

White House Office of Public Engagement to Hold Health Equity Forum for Stakeholders on Housing

The White House Office of Public Engagement Health Equity Forum will hold a briefing Dec. 14 on the policies crafted by the administration to increase access to housing resources to vulnerable Americans. The December Forum brings together stakeholders across the health sector including key officials in the Biden-Harris administration, health care providers, leaders of health care facilities, and experts in health equity to spotlight key intersectional issues impacting health equity. The December Forum will address the intersection of health and housing and features key administrators from Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and clinician-researchers who have already leveraged policies created by the administration to concretely address the challenges faced by patients experiencing homelessness. The call will be held via Zoom from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Click here to register.

Congressional Brain Injury Task Force Co-chairs Schedule Awareness Day

Co-chairs of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.) are making plans to celebrate Brain Injury Awareness Day Wednesday, March 16, 2022, in Washington, D.C. The Rayburn Foyer has been reserved for the Fair and the Gold Room for the briefing and the reception. Of course, should the COVID-19 pandemic prohibit meetings in person, other arrangements will be made. Meanwhile, you may save the date and watch for further information.

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.