On February 24, the public charge rule takes effect nationwide. The public charge rule defines how the Department of Homeland Security decides who is inadmissible to the U.S. because the government thinks they are likely to become a “public charge,” based on the use of certain government benefits. The rule will make it extremely difficult for people with disabilities to immigrate to the United States. It will also discourage those who are already here from using critical public benefits, including the Medicaid-funded home and community based services that many people with disabilities rely on to fully participate in their communities. The Arc and other disability advocacy groups filed amicus briefs in lawsuits attempting to block implementation of the rule. However, the Supreme Court issued an order lifting a nationwide injunction on January 27. While the rule is currently in effect, litigation is ongoing. Learn more.
Monthly Archives: February 2020
Family Support/Employment: House Committee Holds Hearing on Expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act
On February 11, the House Committee on Education and Labor Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing titled “Balancing Work, Health, and Family: The Case for Expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act.” Witnesses were State Representative Sydney Batch (NC); Anthony Sandkamp, owner, Sandkamp Woodworks LLC, Jersey City, NJ; Rachel Greszler, Research Fellow in Economics, Budgets, and Entitlements, the Heritage Foundation; and Elisabeth Jacobs, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Urban Institute. The Arc supports legislation (H.R. 5456) to expand eligibility of job protected leave to include siblings, domestic partners, and others that will be among the issues discussed in the hearing. Visit the Committee website for more information or to access video the day of the hearing. View the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities statement here.
Budget & Appropriations: President’s Budget Request for FY 2021 Released Last Week
On February 10, President Trump released his Budget Request for Fiscal Year (FY 2021). The budget contains about $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and Social Security. Additionally, the budget cuts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or foods stamps by 30% and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs by 15%. Furthermore, the budget cuts many of the discretionary programs that people with disabilities rely on for their health and well-being. Click here to see a listing of discretionary programs and their proposed percentage cuts. See The Arc’s statement.
Medicaid/LTSS: HCBS Infrastructure Improvement Act Introduced in Senate
On February 12, Senator Robert P. Casey (D-PA) introduced the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Infrastructure Improvement Act (S.3277). This bill provides seven-year grants to states to improve the Home and Community Based Services systems by doing at least three of the following:
- Increasing the availability of housing;
- Expanding transportation options;
- Increasing wages, benefits, and support for direct support professionals;
- Expanding competitive integrated employment; and
- Building no-wrong-door application, referral, and counseling systems.
The Arc supports this legislation. Learn more.
Medicaid: Appeals Court Rejects Medicaid Work Requirements
On February 14, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld a lower court ruling that Arkansas’s Medicaid work requirements were arbitrary and capricious. A three-judge panel issued the ruling unanimously. The Department of Health and Human Services has not indicated whether they will appeal the ruling.
The Arc Joins Bipartisan Policy Center Letter Calling for the Filling of Two Social Security and Medicare Trustee Seats
On February 11, Marty Ford, Senior Advisor at The Arc, joined over 100 individuals, including former government officials of both parties, academics, and representatives of organizations with a broad spectrum of viewpoints, in calling on the U.S. Senate to act on the pending nominations for the two public trustees for the Boards of Trustees of the Social Security, Disability Insurance, and Medicare Trust Funds. These positions have been vacant since 2015, leavings the boards without independent voices.
Budget & Appropriations: President’s Budget for FY 2021 Released Today
President Trump released his Budget Request for Fiscal Year (FY 2021). The budget contains many of the same harmful proposals for people with disabilities that it has in past years, primarily cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security as well as many of the discretionary programs that people with disabilities rely on for their health and wellbeing. The Arc will be analyzing the budget for impacts on people with disabilities and issuing a statement shortly.
Family Support/Employment: House Committee to Hold Hearing on Expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act
On February 11, the House Committee on Education and the Labor Subcommittee on Workforce Protections will hold a hearing titled “Balancing Work, Health, and Family: The Case for Expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act.” Witnesses will be State Representative Sydney Batch (NC); Anthony Sandkamp, owner, Sandkamp Woodworks LLC, Jersey City, NJ; Rachel Greszler, Research Fellow in Economics, Budgets, and Entitlements, the Heritage Foundation; and Elisabeth Jacobs, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Urban Institute. The Arc supports legislation (H.R. 5456) to expand eligibility of job protected leave to include siblings, domestic partners, and others that will be among the issues discussed in the hearing. Visit the Committee website for more information or to access live video the day of the hearing.
Medicaid: House Passes Resolution Expressing Disapproval of Medicaid Block Grant Proposal
On February 6, the House of Representatives passed H.Res.826, expressing disapproval of the Administration’s Medicaid block grant guidance. The non-binding resolution calls on the administration to withdraw the guidance, stating that it is illegal and harmful to beneficiaries. Under this guidance, states would be allowed to restrict eligibility, provide limited health care benefits, reduce access to prescription drugs, impose burdensome work requirements, and make other changes that are detrimental to Medicaid beneficiaries. Many people with disabilities, including people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD), are part of the Medicaid expansion population and could be directly impacted. Read The Arc’s statement.
Family Support: House Committee Holds Hearing on Exceptional Family Member Program
On February 5, the House Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing titled “Exceptional Family Member Program – Are the Military Services Really Taking Care of Family Members?” Witnesses included Kelly Hruska, Government Relations Director, National Military Family Association; Michelle Norman, Advocate for Special Needs Family members; and Jackie Nowicki, Director, K-12 Education, U.S. Government Accountability Office. Visit the Committee website for more information and to view archived video of the hearing.