Provisions of a Senate $80 billion jobs bill expected in Thursday's Democratic press conference with Majority Leader Reid (D-NV), Durbin (D-IL) and Baucus (D-MT) were not forthcoming as Senators said details for a bill would be unveiled Friday or Monday. Reid expects to vote on the first jobs creation bill by end of next week before the Congressional week-long Presidents' Day recess that begins February 12th.
Senate leaders continued to negotiate a bipartisan package of tax incentives and safety-net spending for laid-off workers Thursday, but the must-pass nature of the bill meant it was beginning to attract unrelated legislative freight. The House-passed jobs bill costs $154 billion heavily focused on infrastructure and FMAP extension. However, the Senate jobs bill is to focus on tax credits and tax payroll relief for small businesses, highway funding, and possibly extension of unemployment insurance and COBRA. At this point, it is not expected to include FMAP extension. See related brief on Reid and Rockefeller bill and push to get FMAP in this jobs bill.
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Friday, February 5, 2010
Senate and House Democratic Leaders Continue to Move Health Reform Process Forward
The leadership of both chambers are negotiating a pathway to resume passage of comprehensive health reform that includes significant provisions related to long-term services' issues. House Democrats remain reluctant to pass the Senate bill without assurances of changes.
In order to avoid an expected 60 vote cloture to end a filibuster Democratic leaders are still pursuing a path in which the House would agree to the Senate bill, but make changes through "the reconciliation process" that would require only 51 votes. Given the level of mistrust between the two chambers, the House wants the Senate to vote first on a reconciliation package that would modify the Senate bill's provisions including the so-called "Cadillac tax" on insurance plans costing more than $8,500 for individuals and deeper subsidies for low-income beneficiaries.
Meanwhile the Senate is pivoting to job creation bills while substance and process are worked out. Read more!
In order to avoid an expected 60 vote cloture to end a filibuster Democratic leaders are still pursuing a path in which the House would agree to the Senate bill, but make changes through "the reconciliation process" that would require only 51 votes. Given the level of mistrust between the two chambers, the House wants the Senate to vote first on a reconciliation package that would modify the Senate bill's provisions including the so-called "Cadillac tax" on insurance plans costing more than $8,500 for individuals and deeper subsidies for low-income beneficiaries.
Meanwhile the Senate is pivoting to job creation bills while substance and process are worked out. Read more!
Reid and Rockefeller Introduce Senate Bill to Extend FMAP--Push Next Week to Avert More Job Losses Without FMAP Extension
Senate Majority Leader Reid (D-NV) and Senator Rockefeller (D-WV) introduced legislation Thursday to extend by six-months the temporary federal funding for FMAP in last year's Recovery Act (ARRA). With states expected aggregate budget shortfall at $180 billion and only $40 billion covered by ARRA's FMAP through 2010, the $140 billion expected shortfall would cost a job loss of 900,000 jobs nationally.
ANCOR sent a letter to all Senators Tuesday urging immediate extension of ARRA FMAP funding. In a meeting with Rockefeller's staff last night, ANCOR was told that the bill (yet to have a bill number) has 33 Democratic sponsors. ANCOR asked if the legislation mirrors the House provision included in its job bill passed in December. Senate Finance staff confirmed that it was the same except for adding a provision regarding county pass-throughs. Rockefeller staffer has confirmed that she will be a part of ANCOR's free audio conference on FMAP on Thursday, February 11th.
Senate staff from multiple offices expressed the urgency of immediately including an FMAP extension to avert deeper budget cuts that states are now planning in their 2011 budgets. The temporary extension would be through June 2011. The intention is to include the legislation immediately in the first jobs bill that the Senate is expected to take up next week. Both the National Governors Association and National Conference (NGA) on State Legislatures (NCSL) sent bipartisan letters this week to Congress urging immediate extension of ARRA FMAP funding. ANCOR will have an alert out early next week pending fact sheet being developed by Senate staffers today. Read more!
ANCOR sent a letter to all Senators Tuesday urging immediate extension of ARRA FMAP funding. In a meeting with Rockefeller's staff last night, ANCOR was told that the bill (yet to have a bill number) has 33 Democratic sponsors. ANCOR asked if the legislation mirrors the House provision included in its job bill passed in December. Senate Finance staff confirmed that it was the same except for adding a provision regarding county pass-throughs. Rockefeller staffer has confirmed that she will be a part of ANCOR's free audio conference on FMAP on Thursday, February 11th.
Senate staff from multiple offices expressed the urgency of immediately including an FMAP extension to avert deeper budget cuts that states are now planning in their 2011 budgets. The temporary extension would be through June 2011. The intention is to include the legislation immediately in the first jobs bill that the Senate is expected to take up next week. Both the National Governors Association and National Conference (NGA) on State Legislatures (NCSL) sent bipartisan letters this week to Congress urging immediate extension of ARRA FMAP funding. ANCOR will have an alert out early next week pending fact sheet being developed by Senate staffers today. Read more!
Administration Issues Paul Wellstone Mental Health Parity Interim Final Rule
The administration Wednesday issued interim final rules implementing the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, which requires parity between mental health or substance use disorder benefits and medical/surgical benefits with respect to health care insurance coverage. These interim final regulations are effective on April 5, 2010.
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CMS Issues Clarifying Letter on Ticket to Work Outcome and Milestone Payments to Employment Networks
On Thursday, January 28th, CMS issued a letter to State Medicaid Directors clarifying that Ticket Outcome and Milestone payments to Employment Networks (ENs) under the Ticket to Work program do not conflict with regulatory requirements and do not constitute an overpayment of Federal dollars for services provided because EN payments are payment for an outcome, rather than for a Medicaid service rendered. The letter indicates that State agencies and/or providers interested in participating in the Ticket to Work program as ENs are encouraged to do so.
We know that many organizations have been waiting for this policy clarification in order to make the final decision to become an EN or, if already an EN, to accept Ticket assignments and receive payments. To obtain the EN RFP, visit: http://www.ssa.gov/work/enrfp.html. For assistance with completing the application to become an EN, please contact a CESSI Account Manager at 1-877-743-8237 (v/tty) or visit www.cessi.net/ttw. Existing ENs should contact MAXIMUS at 1-866-949-ENVR (3687) or 1-866-833-2967 (tty) with any questions.
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We know that many organizations have been waiting for this policy clarification in order to make the final decision to become an EN or, if already an EN, to accept Ticket assignments and receive payments. To obtain the EN RFP, visit: http://www.ssa.gov/work/enrfp.html. For assistance with completing the application to become an EN, please contact a CESSI Account Manager at 1-877-743-8237 (v/tty) or visit www.cessi.net/ttw. Existing ENs should contact MAXIMUS at 1-866-949-ENVR (3687) or 1-866-833-2967 (tty) with any questions.
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Tuesday, February 2, 2010
President Obama Includes FMAP Extension in Budget
President Barack Obama's FY 2011 Budget endorses and includes a $28 billion six month extension of Enhanced Medicaid (FMAP). Without this provision, states would have been expected to make dramatic budget cuts this session to make up for the sudden loss of federal revenue that had previously sustained earlier recession budgets.
The FMAP extension had earlier been passed twice (most recently in December 2009) by the U.S. House of Representatives, but was stalled in the Senate with the aftermath of the demise of the current Health Care Reform bill.
Read more!
The FMAP extension had earlier been passed twice (most recently in December 2009) by the U.S. House of Representatives, but was stalled in the Senate with the aftermath of the demise of the current Health Care Reform bill.
Read more!
Monday, February 1, 2010
President Submits FY 2011 Budget Proposal with FMAP Extension, No Medicaid Cuts, and Freeze on Domestic Programs
President Obama submitted a $3.8 trillion budget request to Congress on Monday, while taking in $2.6 trillion in revenues in FY 2011.The budget submission kicks off the annual appropriations' processes in the House and Senate. The budget request includes for the first time federal spending on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as federal spending to cover the adjusted minimum tax. The administration's proposal includes $25.5 billion for a six month extension to the Recovery Act's federal FMAP funding to help cash-strapped states with their Medicaid budgets. No cuts to Medicaid are included in his budget.
The president will request $561 million in the 2011 budget, an 80 percent increase in discretionary funds to support identification of prevention, and enforcement of Medicaid and Medicare programs. The budget includes cuts in some discretionary spending as well as elimination or consolidation of some federal programs (e.g. VR programs, HUD programs) beginning in FY 2011. The proposal includes about $100 billion worth of policies intended to help create more jobs this year. ANCOR will provide a detailed analysis on its website and in WICs Live early next week.
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The president will request $561 million in the 2011 budget, an 80 percent increase in discretionary funds to support identification of prevention, and enforcement of Medicaid and Medicare programs. The budget includes cuts in some discretionary spending as well as elimination or consolidation of some federal programs (e.g. VR programs, HUD programs) beginning in FY 2011. The proposal includes about $100 billion worth of policies intended to help create more jobs this year. ANCOR will provide a detailed analysis on its website and in WICs Live early next week.
Read more!
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