Legislative News InBrief
March 2, 2007
Vol. VII, Issue 10
2007 Disability Policy
Seminar
Record attendance of approximately 600 is expected at
the Disability Policy Seminar which runs Sunday through Tuesday (March 4-6).
The final program is now available. Seventeen fact sheets on various issues are also available online.
If you are planning to attend, reading these fact sheets prior to arrival can
help make the Seminar less overwhelming. The fact sheets are great resources
for others who are not able to attend. You are also encouraged to share these
fact sheets with members of Congress during Hill visits.
Please note that there has been a change in the room for the AUCD Legislative Affairs meeting. The meeting will now take place at Noon on Sunday, March 4, in the Capitol Room. AUCD also has organized a panel on Autism scheduled for 4:15 p.m. on Sunday. The panel of congressional staff and other experts will discuss the Combating Autism Act and the need for additional legislation to deal with services.
Appropriations
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health
and Human Services held hearings this week on proposed FY 2008 appropriations
for programs under its jurisdiction. HHS Secretary Michael O. Leavitt testified
before the committee on Tuesday, February 27. Several members asked questions
regarding funding for SCHIP. Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-WI) stated
that a supplemental appropriations bill for military operations in
Iraq and Afghanistan will
include money for states anticipating SCHIP shortfalls. There appears to be
growing bi-partisan support for SCHIP. The winter meeting of the National Governors Association
produced bi-partisan lobbying efforts on the Administration and
Congress for additional funding.
Direct Support
Professionals
Representative Lois Capps (CA) introduced a bill to
increase wages for direct support professionals who provide services to
individuals with disabilities under Medicaid on March 1, 2006 with the
co-sponsorship of Rep. Lee Terry (NE). The bill (H.R.1279) will amend title XIX
of the Social Security Act to provide funds to states to enable them to increase
the wages paid to targeted direct support professionals in providing services to
individuals with disabilities under the Medicaid Program. The bill now moves to
the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Medicaid and School Services
Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR),
along with 16 Senate cosponsors, and Representatives John Dingell (D-MI) and Ed
Whitfield (R-KY) and 9 House cosponsors introduced the Protecting Children's
Health in Schools Act of 2007 (S. 578/H.R. 1017). The Act clarifies that schools
can use Medicaid funding for some transportation and certain administrative
claims, and tightens reporting and documentation requirements to avoid abuse.
The legislation was introduced in response to the Administration's FY 2007 and
2008 budgets which proposed to make major cuts through revised regulations for
Medicaid services provided to eligible children in special education
classes.
Disability Policy
Briefing
On Tuesday, February 27, the law firm of Powers, Pyles,
Sutter & Verville PC (PPSV) hosted a Disability Policy Briefing. Senator
Harkin (D-IA) shared an insider's view of his priorities as they relate to
disability-related legislation. He outlined an ambitious agenda, calling upon
the disability community to join him in building support for ADA Restoration,
the Community Choice Act (previously MiCASSA), and the Promoting Wellness for
Individuals with Disabilities Act. The briefing also included a panel
discussion featuring Connie Garner, Disability Policy Director to the Committee
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; Alice Weiss, Health Counsel of the
Senate Finance Committee; Melissa Bartlett, Minority Counsel, House Energy
& Commerce Health Subcommittee; and Marty Ford, Chair of the Consortium for
Citizens with Disabilities. The panel members discussed a wide range of issues
touching on Medicare, Medicaid, the Budget, Social Security, Employment, IDEA,
and the ADA.
Autism Awareness
Month
A resolution designating April 2007 as "National Autism
Awareness Month" and supporting efforts to increase funding for research into
the causes and treatment of autism and to improve training and support for
individuals with autism and those who care for individuals with autism
(S.RES.78) was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee without amendment on
March 1, 2007. The resolution now goes to the full Senate for ratification.
The resolution was sponsored by Senator Chuck Hagel (NE) and cosponsored by
Senators Thomas Carper (DE), Russ Feingold (WI), and Debbie Stabenow (MI).
EPSDT Issue
Brief
A new Kaiser Family Foundation issue brief on EPSDT, co-authored by AUCD's Bob Williams, discusses the challenges and implications for young people with disabilities
when they become adults and lose their Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic,
and Treatment (EPSDT) benefits.
FY2008 Budget Request for
Aging
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) has issued a
report on funding levels for programs in the Older Americans Act from 2002
through the President's FY 2008 Budget Request. View the report (pdf).