Policy Corner: June 24, 2022
Categories: Policy Corner Archives
Senate Finance Committee Advances ABLE Age Adjustment Act
On Wednesday, the Senate Finance Committee voted on retirement legislation that included the provisions of the ABLE Age Adjustment Act introduced by U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kans.) earlier this year. Senators Casey and Moran have advocated for the ABLE Age Adjustment Act in order to expand eligibility for ABLE accounts to individuals whose disability occurred after the age of 26, but before age 46. This would allow individuals whose brain injury occurred after the age of 26 to qualify and to save money without risking loss of their federal disability benefits. The ABLE Age Adjustment Act has been included in the Encouraging American Retirement Now (EARN) Act and will now head to the full Senate for consideration.
Prior to the passage of ABLE in 2014, individuals could not accumulate more than $2,000 in assets, such as savings or retirement funds, without risking the loss of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, and other federal benefits. Eligible individuals can now open an ABLE account in 46 states and the District of Columbia, and save up to $16,000 a year, as of 2022, for a total of $100,000, without jeopardizing benefits. Four states – Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin — do not yet have active ABLE programs. However, some state ABLE programs allow eligible individuals who live in other states to participate.
House Appropriators Begin Markup on Federal Spending for HHS
This week, the House Appropriations Committee released its recommendations for fiscal year (FY23) Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS-Ed) appropriations bill prior to the Subcommittee on LHHS-Ed markup yesterday afternoon. The full committee will consider the bill on June 30th at which time they will release the committee report. Although final language and details about spending are yet available with regard to HHS’ traumatic brain injury programs and research, the following is what the committee released:
- Administration for Community Living (ACL) – The bill funds ACL at $2.9 billion, an increase of $600 million above the FY 2022 enacted level. This amount includes:
- $450 million for Home and Community-based Supportive Services, an increase of $51 million above the FY 2022 enacted level;
- $274 million for Direct Service Programs for People with Disabilities, an increase of $40 million above the FY 2022 enacted level
- $14.2 million for the Lifespan Respite Program, an increase of $6.1 million above the FY 2022 enacted level.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — The bill includes a total of $10.5 billion for the CDC, an increase of $2 billion above the FY 2022 enacted level and $231 million below the President’s budget request.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The bill provides a total of $47.5 billion for NIH, an increase of $2.5 billion above the FY 2022 enacted level. This includes:
- An increase of $100 million for research related to opioids, stimulants, and pain/pain management
- An increase of $100 million for health disparities research
- The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) would receive $2.75 billion, funded separately from NIH.
Senate Passes Gun Safety Legislation
Last night, the Senate voted for bi-partisan legislation to address gun safety, known as the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The legislation provides for an enhanced background check process for those purchasing guns under the age of 21; expands and improve mental health and crisis intervention programs for children and families; and closes the “boyfriend loophole” to prevent convicted domestic abusers from purchasing a firearm for five years. The House of Representatives has begun procedural votes today and plans to vote on final passage by this afternoon.
Congress Recesses for July 4th
The House of Representatives and the Senate are to recess today for the fourth of July recess. Members are expected to return to Washington, D.C. July 8. While they are in their home districts is often a good time to talk to members, whether you are able to visit them in their in-district offices or at a fourth of July parade and other events. Please feel free to take advantage of policy materials posted on the BIAA website.