Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), along with 22 other co-sponsors (11 Republicans, 10 Democrats, 1 Independent), released a bill to continue cost-sharing reductions payments under the Affordable Care Act for two years. The bill also partially restores federal funding for consumer outreach and enrollment assistance. Additionally, it makes changes to the Section 1332 waiver process, making it easier for states to get waivers of certain parts of the law, provided certain standards are maintained. For more information, read The Arc’s blog post.
Monthly Archives: November 2017
Budget & Appropriations – Senate Passes FY 2018 Budget Resolution, Setting the Stage for Tax Cuts and Possible Program Cuts
On October 19, the Senate passed its FY 2018 Budget Resolution by a near party line vote of 51 to 49. Passing the measure (H. Con Res 71, as amended) is a critical step toward the Administration’s current top priority to cut taxes. Though the budget resolution is not a legally binding document, it provides a blueprint for federal spending and revenues for the next decade and authorizes certain committee and Congressional action for this fiscal year. The Senate budget resolution provides instructions to the Finance Committee and appropriate House committees allowing them to develop legislation that increases the deficit by up to $1.5 trillion over 10 years. That legislation would only require a simple majority (50) in the Senate to pass during FY 18.
In addition to taxation, the Finance Committee has jurisdiction over Medicaid, Medicare, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, and other health and human services programs. The Senate budget assumes over $5 trillion in program cuts, including a nearly 30% cut in inflation adjusted dollars to non-defense discretionary (NDD) programs. Fortunately, however, 60 votes will be needed in the Senate to change the caps for defense and NDD programs established by the Budget Control Act of 2011. According to press reports, the House is likely to pass the Senate’s budget, making a conference between the two chambers unnecessary. This could result in tax cut legislation being developed within the next month. Click here for an analysis on how tax cuts that add significantly to the deficit may affect programs for people with disabilities.
Budget & Appropriations – House to Take Up FY 2018 Budget Resolution
This House of Representatives returns from recess this week and is expected to take up the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 budget resolution that the Senate adopted last week. The House Rules Committee meets on the measure tomorrow to establish the terms and conditions of legislative debates on the floor.
Family Support/Employment – The Arc to Host Webinar on Paid Family and Medical Leave from the Disability Angle
People across the United States are talking about the need for paid family and medical leave. New research by The Arc and the Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality (GCPI) highlights how access to paid leave can promote economic security and stability for people with disabilities and their families. Join us on Monday, October 23 at 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time at http://bit.ly/2xrvEQF to learn more! Presenters will include Kali Grant, GCPI; T.J. Sutcliffe, The Arc; Erika Hagensen, North Carolina; and Lauren Agoratus, New Jersey.
Social Security – Social Security Administration Announces Cost of Living Increases for 2017
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a two percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits in 2018. The Social Security Act provides for annual COLA increases based on inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Because the CPI-W rose modestly over the last year, the 2017 COLA will increase benefits modestly. According to SSA, the average monthly Social Security benefit for a retired worker will increase by $27, from $1,377 in 2017 to $1,404 in 2018. The average monthly benefit for a Social Security “disabled worker” beneficiary will increase by $24, from $1,173 in 2017 to $1,197 in 2018. In addition, the SSI Federal Payment Standard will increase from $735 per month in 2017 to $750 per month in 2018. Important work incentive thresholds for Social Security and SSI beneficiaries with disabilities will also increase, including the Substantial Gainful Activity level and the Trial Work Period earnings level. View SSA’s fact sheet for more details on the 2018 Social Security COLA.
Health – President Announces Changes in ACA Implementation
On October 12, President Trump issued an executive order aimed at weakening protections in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The order instructs agencies to identify and consider ways in which plans can be offered that do not meet the ACA’s requirements. These changes, if implemented, have the potential to drive up the cost of plans that provide adequate benefits and coverage for people with disabilities and chronic health conditions. See The Arc’s statement here.
Later that day, the White House announced that it would stop cost-sharing reduction payments. The ACA requires insurance companies to substantially reduce out-of-pocket expenses for beneficiaries with incomes under 250% of the poverty level and provides for reimbursement from the federal government. According to the Congressional Budget Office, this decision is likely to increase the number of uninsured Americans, premiums, and the federal deficit. For more information, see The Arc’s blog post.
Budget & Appropriations – Senate Expected to Vote on FY 2018 Budget Resolution, Helping to Set the Stage for Tax Cuts and Possible Program Cuts
The full Senate is expected to take up its fiscal year (FY) 2018 Budget Resolution this week. The Senate Budget provides instructions to the Finance Committee to allow the Committee to develop legislation that increases the deficit by up to $1.5 trillion over the next decade. In addition to taxation, the Finance Committee has jurisdiction over Medicaid, Medicare, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, and other health and human services programs. The Senate Budget also assumes, but does not require, trillions of dollars in cuts to mandatory programs and proposes a cut of nearly 30% in inflation adjusted dollars to non-defense discretionary programs by 2027. It also includes an amendment by Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) that was passed by the Senate Budget Committee for implementing work requirements for all means-tested federal “welfare” programs.
If the measure passes as expected, it will set up a conference with the House to iron out the substantial differences between the two budgets. If both chambers are able to pass the same version, it would allow for legislation that can be passed by a simple majority (51) in the Senate. If the House defers to the Senate version, as is presently being reported, any resulting tax cut legislation that exceeds $1.5 trillion over ten years could result in cuts from mandatory programs (such as Medicaid, Medicare, and Supplemental Security Income) to make up the difference. Click here for an analysis of the Senate 2018 Budget Resolution.