Policy Corner: April 29, 2022
Categories: Policy Corner Archives
HHS Secretary Presents FY 2023 Budget Requests to House Committees
On Wednesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra discussed the Administration’s fiscal year (FY) 2023 budget request for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with the House Energy and Commerce Committee chaired by Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-N.J.). Secretary Becerra also presented an overview of the budget proposals to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies on March 31. During both committee hearings, he highlighted funding priorities that are targeted towards:
- Fighting COVID-19 and preparing for the next biological threat
- Continue making health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans
- Improving our country’s response to mental health challenges, and
- Addressing deep and persistent health inequities.
The Budget includes a historic $81.7 billion in mandatory funding over five years across the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness & Response (ASPR), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to support the Administration’s vision for pandemic preparedness. It provides $28 billion for the CDC to enhance public health system infrastructure, domestic and global threat surveillance, public health workforce development, public health laboratory capacity, and global health security, among other investments to improve public health and protect health at home and abroad.
Secretary Becerra explained that the budget also includes $25 million for CDC and $20 million for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to launch Centers for Excellence to study Long COVID conditions and equip health care providers and systems to deliver patient-centered, coordinated care for individuals suffering from symptoms associated with Long COVID. Additionally, he said the Administration supports strengthening home and community-based services as an alternative to institutionalized care for individuals with disabilities and for older adults, to ensure people have access to safe options that work for them. He also said they are proposing funding to improve safety and oversight of nursing homes.
Lawmakers Introduce Bills for Resources for Persons Experiencing Long COVID Symptoms
On April 7th, Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Don Beyer (D-Va.) introduced H.R. 7482, the “Targeting Resources for Equitable Access to Treatment for Long COVID (TREAT Long COVID),” to increase access to medical care and treatment for communities and individuals struggling with Long COVID. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) introduced similar legislation, S. 4015, the day before. The legislation would fund the expansion of Long COVID Clinics and empower health care providers—including community health centers and local public health departments—to treat Long COVID patients in their own communities.
House Committee Advances the Reauthorization of the WIOA of 2022
On April 5, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives Education and Labor Committee marked up and passed the reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2022. H.R. 7309 reauthorizes the WIOA for six years and fully funds the workforce development system to ensure workers can get the skills they need to secure more sustainable careers. The bill also codifies the Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grant program (SCCTG) and reentry programs for people after incarceration. The authorization of the Vocational Rehabilitation program is included in this bill. The authorization for WIOA expired in 2020.
Administration Extends PHE for 90 Days
On April 13, 2022, the Administration renewed the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) for another ninety days, before the initial April 16 expiration date. This means all Medicaid home and community-based services waivers and flexibilities currently in place will continue until July 15, 2022, unless earlier terminated by Health and Human Services Secretary Becerra. Any waivers and flexibilities put into place by states and commercial payers that are specifically tied to these declarations will be extended as well. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance giving states 12 months to re-determine eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP. Previous legislation enacted during the pandemic required states to continue Medicaid coverage until the end of the month that the PHE was to end. Congress also extended telehealth coverage of Medicare for five months after the emergency ends in the fiscal 2022 omnibus spending bill. This is the ninth extension.
CCD Name Change is Official: Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities
The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has changed its name to the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities. The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) is a member organization, which advocates on behalf of Americans with disabilities with regard to health care, education, rehabilitation, employment and long-term services and supports.