March 2017
Trump Budget Proposal Puts the Public’s Health at Risk
President Trump released his much anticipated budget proposal on March 16th. The proposal calls for a significant increase in military spending to be funded largely by cuts to major agencies. The Environmental Protection Agency and many important health and welfare programs are slated to either lose significant amounts of funding or be defunded all together. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services, which houses the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Federal Drug Administration, and the National Institutes of Health among other public health related agencies would also lose significant funds. While the current Administration considers these cuts “compassionate”, they would greatly endanger public health and threaten services that act to provide services during disease outbreaks and natural disasters.
As this is a proposal, it is important to call your legislators and tell them how much you value these vital services today!
President Trump released his much anticipated budget proposal on March 16th. The proposal calls for a significant increase in military spending to be funded largely by cuts to major agencies. The Environmental Protection Agency and many important health and welfare programs are slated to either lose significant amounts of funding or be defunded all together. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services, which houses the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Federal Drug Administration, and the National Institutes of Health among other public health related agencies would also lose significant funds. While the current Administration considers these cuts “compassionate”, they would greatly endanger public health and threaten services that act to provide services during disease outbreaks and natural disasters.
As this is a proposal, it is important to call your legislators and tell them how much you value these vital services today!
December 2016
21st Century Cures Act Passes the House
By a vote of 392-26, the House passed the 21st Century Cures Act, it now awaits a vote in the Senate. The Cures Act was designed to increase the development and approval of new drugs, build up the nation’s mental health infrastructure, and provide additional funding to put towards combatting the growing opioid abuse epidemic. In addition to this, the Cures Act would provide additional funding to the NIH for it’s scientific research projects and provide ten years of additional support to the FDA to change its current oversight responsibilities.
While this act provides many positive provisions for health and scientific research, to pay for all of the proposed changes, money would be reallocated from the Prevention and Public Health Fund set up by the Affordable Care Act, which has been dwindling due to cuts made during budget appropriations over the last few years.
By a vote of 392-26, the House passed the 21st Century Cures Act, it now awaits a vote in the Senate. The Cures Act was designed to increase the development and approval of new drugs, build up the nation’s mental health infrastructure, and provide additional funding to put towards combatting the growing opioid abuse epidemic. In addition to this, the Cures Act would provide additional funding to the NIH for it’s scientific research projects and provide ten years of additional support to the FDA to change its current oversight responsibilities.
While this act provides many positive provisions for health and scientific research, to pay for all of the proposed changes, money would be reallocated from the Prevention and Public Health Fund set up by the Affordable Care Act, which has been dwindling due to cuts made during budget appropriations over the last few years.
Pennsylvania Makes Birth Control Accessible to New Mothers Under Medicaid
As of December 1st, Pennsylvania Medicaid will begin paying hospitals separately to insert long lasting contraceptives as part of delivery services. Previously, hospitals were reimbursed for births using bundled payment options that did not separately incentivize the prescription of contraceptives to new mothers who might be interested.
In addition to separate payment for long lasting intrauterine devices and subdermal contraceptive implants, this new policy will also set aside federal funding to provide additional training to health care providers on postpartum contraception.
As of December 1st, Pennsylvania Medicaid will begin paying hospitals separately to insert long lasting contraceptives as part of delivery services. Previously, hospitals were reimbursed for births using bundled payment options that did not separately incentivize the prescription of contraceptives to new mothers who might be interested.
In addition to separate payment for long lasting intrauterine devices and subdermal contraceptive implants, this new policy will also set aside federal funding to provide additional training to health care providers on postpartum contraception.
October 2016
Update: Congress Funds Zika Research
After a seven month long stint of bickering Congress allocated $1.1 billion to fund research to fight the devastating Zika Virus. While Congress was arguing over whether or not to defund Planned Parenthood, the Obama Administration had been moving money to keep Zika fighting measures like research and mosquito control going.
This move comes after both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Human services released statements saying they would run out of money to continue their efforts if something was not done. This deal, which excludes language that would defund Planned Parenthood, provides funding for mosquito control, vaccine research, and research into better diagnostic techniques as well as specific funding allocated to provide healthcare to those affected in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories.
After a seven month long stint of bickering Congress allocated $1.1 billion to fund research to fight the devastating Zika Virus. While Congress was arguing over whether or not to defund Planned Parenthood, the Obama Administration had been moving money to keep Zika fighting measures like research and mosquito control going.
This move comes after both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Human services released statements saying they would run out of money to continue their efforts if something was not done. This deal, which excludes language that would defund Planned Parenthood, provides funding for mosquito control, vaccine research, and research into better diagnostic techniques as well as specific funding allocated to provide healthcare to those affected in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories.
US Department of Education Provides Grant to Flint, Michigan
In light of the recent fights in Congress over providing additional funding to those affected by the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, the US Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Healthy Students has awarded the town with a $400,000 grant. The grant is intended to help restore the learning environment that has been and continues to be disrupted.
With this funding, the school district will be able to pinpoint children who have suffered neurologically due to lead exposure and provide them with adequate health care treatments as well as additional educational interventions to mitigate the effects of exposure to improve the health, wellbeing, and education of the public.
In light of the recent fights in Congress over providing additional funding to those affected by the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, the US Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Healthy Students has awarded the town with a $400,000 grant. The grant is intended to help restore the learning environment that has been and continues to be disrupted.
With this funding, the school district will be able to pinpoint children who have suffered neurologically due to lead exposure and provide them with adequate health care treatments as well as additional educational interventions to mitigate the effects of exposure to improve the health, wellbeing, and education of the public.
August 2016
Update: Congressional Inaction on Zika Virus
When asked for $1.9 billion to spend on Zika prevention and research efforts by both public health officials and the oval office, instead of taking immediate action, Congress pushed it to the bottom of the pile and opted to recess for the summer without a plan in place. Instead of funding efforts to protect the health and wellbeing of the expectant mothers and unborn children who have been and will be endangered by the virus, in a bipartisan act, Congress voted to allow US Olympians to receive tax exemption and relief on their medals and earnings from the Rio games.
While a variety of proposals were suggested (both partisan and bipartisan), both Democrats and Republicans have left the door open for the virus to spread and put public health in danger. While Congress has been on recess, the first locally transmitted Zika cases have been reported in Florida, and a child has died from Zika related microcephaly.
As Congress prepares to reconvene in Washington DC after Labor Day weekend it is unclear whether or not the necessary swift action will be taken in light of these recent events.
When asked for $1.9 billion to spend on Zika prevention and research efforts by both public health officials and the oval office, instead of taking immediate action, Congress pushed it to the bottom of the pile and opted to recess for the summer without a plan in place. Instead of funding efforts to protect the health and wellbeing of the expectant mothers and unborn children who have been and will be endangered by the virus, in a bipartisan act, Congress voted to allow US Olympians to receive tax exemption and relief on their medals and earnings from the Rio games.
While a variety of proposals were suggested (both partisan and bipartisan), both Democrats and Republicans have left the door open for the virus to spread and put public health in danger. While Congress has been on recess, the first locally transmitted Zika cases have been reported in Florida, and a child has died from Zika related microcephaly.
As Congress prepares to reconvene in Washington DC after Labor Day weekend it is unclear whether or not the necessary swift action will be taken in light of these recent events.
July 2016
Senate Appropriations Committee passes Labor-HHS-Education bill with significant cuts to public health
On June 10, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year 2017 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill by a bipartisan vote of 29-1. While the bill would provide a boost of $2 billion to the National Institutes for Health, it would also cut other important public health programs. Specifically, the bill would reduce funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by $118 million, the Health Resources and Services Administration by nearly $35 million and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality by $10 million.
Notably, it would eliminate the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health program and cut $30 million each from CDC heart disease and diabetes programs. Additionally, the bill continues to include language that would stifle federal gun violence research — continuing a 20-year trend — and fails to provide any additional funding for this critical research.
On the positive side, the bill fully allocates the Prevention and Public Health Fund for public health and prevention activities and does not contain any significant policy riders aimed at dismantling the Affordable Care Act. Also, the bill would provide some additional resources for efforts to combat the opioid epidemic and antibiotic resistance.
You can view the bill and the accompanying report by visiting the Senate Appropriations Committee website. As of this writing, the House Appropriations Committee has not yet released its version of the health spending bill.
On June 10, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year 2017 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill by a bipartisan vote of 29-1. While the bill would provide a boost of $2 billion to the National Institutes for Health, it would also cut other important public health programs. Specifically, the bill would reduce funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by $118 million, the Health Resources and Services Administration by nearly $35 million and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality by $10 million.
Notably, it would eliminate the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health program and cut $30 million each from CDC heart disease and diabetes programs. Additionally, the bill continues to include language that would stifle federal gun violence research — continuing a 20-year trend — and fails to provide any additional funding for this critical research.
On the positive side, the bill fully allocates the Prevention and Public Health Fund for public health and prevention activities and does not contain any significant policy riders aimed at dismantling the Affordable Care Act. Also, the bill would provide some additional resources for efforts to combat the opioid epidemic and antibiotic resistance.
You can view the bill and the accompanying report by visiting the Senate Appropriations Committee website. As of this writing, the House Appropriations Committee has not yet released its version of the health spending bill.
Congress fails, again, to pass Zika funding
In the early morning hours of June 23, House Republican Leaders brought the conference report for H.R. 2577, the combined FY 17 Military Construction-VA appropriations and Zika funding bills, to the House floor for a vote without any debate. The conference report was agreed to without the support of any of the Democratic House or Senate conferees. The bill passed the House by a mostly party-line vote of 239-171.
The Zika funding portion of the bill would provide $1.1 billion in funding to various federal agencies— including CDC, the National Institutes for Health, the United States Agency for International Development and others— to help combat the Zika virus. Unlike the original version of the bill passed by the Senate earlier in June, which also provided $1.1 billion, but in emergency funding thus requiring no offsetting cuts to other health programs, $750 million of the conference package would be offset by cutting other health programs including funding intended to set up health exchanges in the U.S. territories, the Nonrecurring Expenses Fund at the Department of Health and Human Services and unspent funding from the 2014 Ebola outbreak. The bill contains another controversial provision that would suspend Clean Water Act permits for pesticide applications for 180 days.
In addition, many Democrats have objected to funding restrictions around $95 million in Social Services Block Grants for areas with active Zika transmission such as Puerto Rico that appear to exclude family planning clinics. After the House vote, the White House issued a veto threat for the bill, stating that the funding level is inadequate and that the proposal would come at the expense of cuts to other important health programs. The Senate voted not to invoke cloture on H.R. 2577, the House-passed conference report, with a vote of 52-48 — 60 votes were required to end the debate and move to a final vote.
In the early morning hours of June 23, House Republican Leaders brought the conference report for H.R. 2577, the combined FY 17 Military Construction-VA appropriations and Zika funding bills, to the House floor for a vote without any debate. The conference report was agreed to without the support of any of the Democratic House or Senate conferees. The bill passed the House by a mostly party-line vote of 239-171.
The Zika funding portion of the bill would provide $1.1 billion in funding to various federal agencies— including CDC, the National Institutes for Health, the United States Agency for International Development and others— to help combat the Zika virus. Unlike the original version of the bill passed by the Senate earlier in June, which also provided $1.1 billion, but in emergency funding thus requiring no offsetting cuts to other health programs, $750 million of the conference package would be offset by cutting other health programs including funding intended to set up health exchanges in the U.S. territories, the Nonrecurring Expenses Fund at the Department of Health and Human Services and unspent funding from the 2014 Ebola outbreak. The bill contains another controversial provision that would suspend Clean Water Act permits for pesticide applications for 180 days.
In addition, many Democrats have objected to funding restrictions around $95 million in Social Services Block Grants for areas with active Zika transmission such as Puerto Rico that appear to exclude family planning clinics. After the House vote, the White House issued a veto threat for the bill, stating that the funding level is inadequate and that the proposal would come at the expense of cuts to other important health programs. The Senate voted not to invoke cloture on H.R. 2577, the House-passed conference report, with a vote of 52-48 — 60 votes were required to end the debate and move to a final vote.
May 2016
Update: “A Balanced Budget for a Stronger America” Threatens Healthcare Access for Americans
This March, the House Budget Committee released the Republican budget, “A Balanced Budget for Stronger America”. This budget proposes cuts to federal Medicare spending, a repeal of the Affordable Care Act, and an end to current Medicaid expansion. Since the budget has been proposed, Speaker Ryan has had a difficult time garnering support for it both within his own party and among Democrats, who are strongly opposed to the policy implications that would be attached to the proposed spending cuts and restructuring.
This March, the House Budget Committee released the Republican budget, “A Balanced Budget for Stronger America”. This budget proposes cuts to federal Medicare spending, a repeal of the Affordable Care Act, and an end to current Medicaid expansion. Since the budget has been proposed, Speaker Ryan has had a difficult time garnering support for it both within his own party and among Democrats, who are strongly opposed to the policy implications that would be attached to the proposed spending cuts and restructuring.
240 United States Health Centers to Receive $290 million from Health and Human Services
On May 4th, 2016, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Sylvia Burwell awarded $290 million from the Affordable Care Act’s Community Health Center (CHC) Fund to 240 health centers. The health centers are located throughout 45 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, and are expected to use the money provided for new construction, renovations, or expansions of centers already in place.
By supporting and facilitating construction and renovation efforts, HHS believes that these health centers will be in a position to provide expanded services and improved care to their patients.
On May 4th, 2016, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Sylvia Burwell awarded $290 million from the Affordable Care Act’s Community Health Center (CHC) Fund to 240 health centers. The health centers are located throughout 45 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, and are expected to use the money provided for new construction, renovations, or expansions of centers already in place.
By supporting and facilitating construction and renovation efforts, HHS believes that these health centers will be in a position to provide expanded services and improved care to their patients.
April 2016
“A Balanced Budget for a Stronger America” Threatens Healthcare Access for Americans
In March, the House Budget Committee released the Republican budget, “A Balanced Budget for Stronger America”. This budget proposes cuts to federal Medicare spending, a repeal of the Affordable Care Act, and an end to current Medicaid expansion. If passed, this budget would shut down the healthcare marketplace and end financial assistance for qualifying Americans who currently purchase insurance through the Marketplace. It also would essentially lift the protections currently in place which assure that insurance companies cannot deny or change coverage based on pre-existing conditions. These budget features will lead to 10 million additional people losing coverage, placing additional strain on states who would need to readjust their budgets in order to continue covering people via Medicaid.
In March, the House Budget Committee released the Republican budget, “A Balanced Budget for Stronger America”. This budget proposes cuts to federal Medicare spending, a repeal of the Affordable Care Act, and an end to current Medicaid expansion. If passed, this budget would shut down the healthcare marketplace and end financial assistance for qualifying Americans who currently purchase insurance through the Marketplace. It also would essentially lift the protections currently in place which assure that insurance companies cannot deny or change coverage based on pre-existing conditions. These budget features will lead to 10 million additional people losing coverage, placing additional strain on states who would need to readjust their budgets in order to continue covering people via Medicaid.
January 2016
President Obama signs final 2016 spending measure
On Dec. 18, President Obama signed into law H.R. 2029, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, a $1.15 trillion spending measure to fund the federal government through Sept. 30, 2016. The measure increased funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by $278 million and the Health Resources and Services Administration by $34.8 million. Funding was also restored for most programs in the CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health that were cut in previous House and Senate versions of the fiscal year (FY) 2016 Labor-HHS-Education spending bills. While the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality was cut by roughly 8% below its FY 2015 level, most of its funding was restored after having complete elimination proposed in the original House FY 2016 health spending bill.
The vast majority of the most controversial issues of funding in Congress, including those to block U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s rules targeting climate change, clean air and clean water and a provision to defund Planned Parenthood were NOT included in the final bill. One notable exception from H.R. 2029 is the continued inclusion of language that has effectively blocked the CDC from conducting research into gun violence.
On Dec. 18, President Obama signed into law H.R. 2029, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, a $1.15 trillion spending measure to fund the federal government through Sept. 30, 2016. The measure increased funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by $278 million and the Health Resources and Services Administration by $34.8 million. Funding was also restored for most programs in the CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health that were cut in previous House and Senate versions of the fiscal year (FY) 2016 Labor-HHS-Education spending bills. While the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality was cut by roughly 8% below its FY 2015 level, most of its funding was restored after having complete elimination proposed in the original House FY 2016 health spending bill.
The vast majority of the most controversial issues of funding in Congress, including those to block U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s rules targeting climate change, clean air and clean water and a provision to defund Planned Parenthood were NOT included in the final bill. One notable exception from H.R. 2029 is the continued inclusion of language that has effectively blocked the CDC from conducting research into gun violence.
November 2015
The Restoring Americans’ Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 will repeal the requirement imposed by the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, requiring certain employers to automatically enroll employees into a health plan. The bill will eliminate the requirement for individuals to maintain minimum essential health care coverage. The bill will also terminate funding for the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which provides funding for programs aimed at improving the public’s health and reducing the overall healthcare costs. For one, year no federal money can be paid to entities such as the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and other tax-exempt organizations that provide similar services.
By limiting funding to organizations such as Planned Parenthood, many individuals would be losing access to a number of preventative health services. Terminating the Prevention Fund has serious negative implications to public health as this fund has invested in a multitude of evidence-based intervention programs and research involving tobacco prevention, immunizations and screenings, public health workforce training and much more.
Introduced: 10/16/15 Passed by House: 10/23/15
Act now and tell Congress to support the Prevention Fund!
By limiting funding to organizations such as Planned Parenthood, many individuals would be losing access to a number of preventative health services. Terminating the Prevention Fund has serious negative implications to public health as this fund has invested in a multitude of evidence-based intervention programs and research involving tobacco prevention, immunizations and screenings, public health workforce training and much more.
Introduced: 10/16/15 Passed by House: 10/23/15
Act now and tell Congress to support the Prevention Fund!
October 2015
Feature: Reconciliation Bills Threaten Public Health Infrastructure
Despite continuing political tension, Congress averted a government shutdown by passing a short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) on September 30th, signed by President Obama before budgets for federal agencies were scheduled to deplete. This temporary resolution will extend funding for the majority of federal agencies to continue daily operation until December 11th 2015. The CR did not include any provisions or language related to defunding Planned Parenthood or the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. However, multiple Public Health priorities are being targeted for budget cuts in the reconciliation process.
On September 29th and 30th, the House of Representatives' Ways and Means Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee, and Education and Workforce Committee, separately, passed reconciliation bills. Collectively, these bills will repeal several major factors of the Affordable Care Act, defund Planned Parenthood for one year, and fully cut the Prevention and Public Health fund. This will not only terminate vital heath care services in almost 700 clinics across the nation which specifically serve disadvantaged Americans, but also place an excess service burden on Community Health Centers which will receive redirected funds and patients from the possible dismantling of Planned Parenthood.
All three reconciliation bills will be reviewed and compiled by the House Budget Committee then sent to President Obama, whom has threatened to veto the bill. Congress has roughly two months to collaborate and create a budget for fiscal year 2016, or we face the threat of another government shutdown.
Despite continuing political tension, Congress averted a government shutdown by passing a short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) on September 30th, signed by President Obama before budgets for federal agencies were scheduled to deplete. This temporary resolution will extend funding for the majority of federal agencies to continue daily operation until December 11th 2015. The CR did not include any provisions or language related to defunding Planned Parenthood or the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. However, multiple Public Health priorities are being targeted for budget cuts in the reconciliation process.
On September 29th and 30th, the House of Representatives' Ways and Means Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee, and Education and Workforce Committee, separately, passed reconciliation bills. Collectively, these bills will repeal several major factors of the Affordable Care Act, defund Planned Parenthood for one year, and fully cut the Prevention and Public Health fund. This will not only terminate vital heath care services in almost 700 clinics across the nation which specifically serve disadvantaged Americans, but also place an excess service burden on Community Health Centers which will receive redirected funds and patients from the possible dismantling of Planned Parenthood.
All three reconciliation bills will be reviewed and compiled by the House Budget Committee then sent to President Obama, whom has threatened to veto the bill. Congress has roughly two months to collaborate and create a budget for fiscal year 2016, or we face the threat of another government shutdown.
September 2015
Government Shutdown Looms Without Continuing Resolution
Every year, Congress must pass bills that appropriate money for all discretionary government spending by the end of September. The House and Senate adjourned for their summer recess this year without sending any of the spending bills to President Obama. With only twelve working days scheduled in the month of September, Congress will likely have to pass a continuing resolution until the new spending bills can be agreed upon. A continuing resolution would prevent a government shut down by allowing funds to be appropriated as they had in the previous fiscal year for a designated period of time.
While bills from all sectors have an impact on public health, there are certain bills that will have a more immediate and direct impact on the state of public health. One of these is the labor-HHS-appropriations bill, which designates funding for public health infrastructure. The House version of the bill would increase the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) overall funding while cutting important programs within the agency, including the Climate and Health Program and the Environmental Health Tracking Program. It would also cut funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and eliminate all funding for the Title X family planning program and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). If passed, the Senate bill would cut overall funding for CDC, HRSA and AHRQ while also eliminating CDC's Partnerships to Improve Community Health and Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health Programs.
The American Public Health Association has issued statements opposing both House and Senate versions of the bill and is urging Congress to reappropriate funding to ensure the adequate support of public health programming. Take Action: urge Congress to prioritize public health funding by rewriting the labor-HHS-appropriations bill.
Every year, Congress must pass bills that appropriate money for all discretionary government spending by the end of September. The House and Senate adjourned for their summer recess this year without sending any of the spending bills to President Obama. With only twelve working days scheduled in the month of September, Congress will likely have to pass a continuing resolution until the new spending bills can be agreed upon. A continuing resolution would prevent a government shut down by allowing funds to be appropriated as they had in the previous fiscal year for a designated period of time.
While bills from all sectors have an impact on public health, there are certain bills that will have a more immediate and direct impact on the state of public health. One of these is the labor-HHS-appropriations bill, which designates funding for public health infrastructure. The House version of the bill would increase the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) overall funding while cutting important programs within the agency, including the Climate and Health Program and the Environmental Health Tracking Program. It would also cut funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and eliminate all funding for the Title X family planning program and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). If passed, the Senate bill would cut overall funding for CDC, HRSA and AHRQ while also eliminating CDC's Partnerships to Improve Community Health and Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health Programs.
The American Public Health Association has issued statements opposing both House and Senate versions of the bill and is urging Congress to reappropriate funding to ensure the adequate support of public health programming. Take Action: urge Congress to prioritize public health funding by rewriting the labor-HHS-appropriations bill.