Health care reform: As you know, the House passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act on Nov. 7. The Senate has merged 2committee bills to create its version of hc reform. The bill draft has not been released. Sen. Reid was waiting for the CBO cost analysis of the bills before authorizing debate. The CBO study is not public but “leaks” indicate that the Senate bills would carry a price tag of about $900 billion—considerably less than the cost of the House Bill--$1.3 trillion. Sen. Reid is meeting with the Democratic caucus tonight to review all the elements of the bill and get a better sense of issues requiring more work. At the present time, 3 Dem. Senators have not indicated to Sen. Reid how they will vote: Landrieu, LA; Nelson, NE; Lincoln, AR.
Maintaining 60 votes is critical for this issue to move forward to avoid a filibuster. Some opponents are threatening to move that the bill be read in its entirety in the Senate and numerous other parliamentary obstructions will be tried. It takes a super-majority in the Senate to stop any such measures.
Sen. Reid has promised that the Senate bill will be posted on the Internet 72 hours before debate begins. It is unlikely that will happen before the Thanksgiving recess. Leadership hopes to pass a bill before the Xmas recess. Normally a conference committee would be the next step but some think this bill will go thru a “ping pong” set up where various bills between the House and Senate will be acted until a final bill is written.
CLASS ACT: Some elements of the CLASS Act (allowing voluntary paycheck contributions to fund long term services and support) are in the both bills. However, in the past week, eight Dem. Senators have indicated that they have “problems” with the provisions. The Long Term Care insurance companies are lobbying the Senate with a vengeance in opposition. CMS issued a report on Monday indicating that only about 3 million Americans would participate initially—a much lower number than earlier projections. Go to www.passthecalssact.org for regular updates on this issue.
Community First Choice Act: A statement of support for the Community choice option is in the House bill. The Senate bill includes this option. If a state chooses this option, the FMAP for that state would increase by 6%--nothing to sneeze at. If a state chooses the CFC option, they would have to adhere to its higher standards (no caps on services, no waiting lists, and no geographic restrictions.) Go to www.passthecommunitychoiceact.org for updates.
Mikulski bill to eliminate MR terminology: This bill was dropped yesterday and has several sponsors in both parties. It is based on a new statute passed in MD in 2009—Rosa’s Law. http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/chapters_noln/Ch_119_hb0020T.pdf for a copy of the new Maryland law. Proponents are seeking House sponsorship now.
After Thanksgiving new alerts will go out regarding action on this bill.
Seclusion and Restraint: there may be a House bill on this issue before the end of the calendar year. The goal is to ensure that any federal law include all kids (not just those with disabilities) in public schools or other facilities receiving federal funds. DPC is working with legislative staff on language to establish some kinds of rules on when seclusion and restraint could be used. There’s some push back from general education lobbyists about the cost of monitoring and reporting. There’s speculation that this bill will pass during the current session.
Employment: Lots of discussion in the House about getting something through before the Xmas recess to boost employment. Ideas include tax breaks for hiring new employees, continuation of the FMAP increases related to high unemployment beyond the original expiration date, action on transportation infrastructure grants (the existing highway bill is up for re-authorization but action has been delayed.) House leaders want members to have something to take home regarding employment before the recess.
H1N1 Flu vaccinations: On Monday, CDC issued new guidelines that include direct care providers, para professionals and other “non licensed” personnel who care for people with disabilities as part of the priority groups for vaccinations. See http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/disabilities/
For more information. Scroll down to the 9th or 10th item on this page for particulars.
Appointments:
Tomorrow the Senate will begin confirmation hearings on EEOC Commissioners. Chai Feldblum has been nominated for the Commission. She is a strong advocate for persons with disabilities but is controversial for her activism in the gay-lesbian community.
Alexa Pitley (sp?)has been appointed as undersecretary in the Dept. of Education for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services—also a strong advocate for people with disabilities. (I’ll check on the correct spelling of her name and send it later.)
Please let me know if you have questions.
Thank you
Marijo Rymer
Executive Director
The Arc of Colorado
1580 Logan--Suite 730
Denver, CO 80203
303-864-9334 ext 11
303-229-9499 (cell)
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