The House of Representatives passed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R.1319) on Saturday (219 - 211). The bill now heads to the Senate, where it is expected to face scrutiny from Republicans and moderate Democrats. As written, the bill includes a provision to raise the minimum wage to $15/hour over the next five years and end subminimum wages, including 14(c) waivers for employees with disabilities. Due to a ruling on February 25th by Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth McDonough, the $15 minimum wage and provision to end subminimum wages will not be a part of the package as Senate negotiations begin.
The budget reconciliation process requires only a simple majority of 51 votes or 50 votes and Vice President Harris's tie-breaking vote to pass the bill, as opposed to the 60 votes needed for typical legislation. A vote is expected before the current enhanced Unemployment Insurance (UI) expires on March 14th.
COVID-19 relief issues impacting the disability community:
Issue
Biden Proposal
Budget Reconciliation
Legislation
Funding for Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS)
None.
Budget reconciliation includes 7.35% FMAP increase for HCBS for one year.
Adult dependents included in Economic Impact Payments
Yes.
Yes.
Proposal for legislation from Sen. Smith (D-MN) and Rep. Craig (D-MN).
Funding for Developmental Disabilities (DD) Network
None
None.
None.
Funding tied to individuals with Education in Disabilities Act (IDEA)
None.
None.
Supporting Children with Disabilities During COVID-19 Act (S.240).
Plain language:
Congress is working to pass COVID-19 relief. The goal is to pass it in March.
What it means to you:
Right now, there is some funding for the disability community in the COVID-19 relief proposal. However, continued advocacy will be needed to make sure that funding is passed. Now is the time to contact your Members of Congress and tell them what you need, for example your Home- and Community-Based Services, stimulus payments, or education.
Action steps:
Learn more about the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021:
Various state governments have considered referencing quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) to establish prescription drug prices. The use of QALYs results in discrimination against people with disabilities and/or chronic health conditions, and can impact a person's ability to access affordable medication. AUCD urges state-based advocates to send letters to your state governments explaining why QALYs are harmful to the disability community.
Plain language:
Quality-adjusted life years, or QALYs, are used by country and state governments to decide how much a medication should cost. But using them often results in discrimination against people with disabilities.
What it means to you:
State governments need to hear from you about why people with disabilities are opposed to referencing quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) in prescription drug pricing.
Action steps:
If you are a state-based advocate, fill out and send this template letter to your state Governors, Medicaid Directors, Legislators and/or Policy Boards/Commissions.
Learn more about QALYs from the AUCD Policy Talk post, ‘What is a QALY?'.
COVID-19 Vaccine
On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee recommended the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is unique as a one-dose shot, as opposed to the two-dose Moderna and Pfizer/BionTech shots. It can also be stored in most standard refrigerators, easing the transportation and distribution needs. The Acting Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, Janet Woodcock, completed the final step for approval on Saturday.
Plain language:
There is a third COVID-19 vaccine available. This vaccine will only need one shot.
What it means to you:
Since the new vaccine is approved, you may be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine sooner. It is important to keep checking with your state's Department of Health to see when you are able to get a COVID vaccine and how.
After you receive your first COVID-19 vaccine shot, sign-up for v-safe, an after-vaccination heatlh checker from the CDC.
The Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center and Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities have created a COVID-19 Vaccine Prioritization Dashboard to track the inclusion of people with disabilities in state vaccine prioritization plans.
Educate others on how COVID-19 is impacting the disability community and the need to prioritize individuals with disabilities in state COVID-19 vaccination plans:
Appointments and confirmations to staff the new administration continue. To date the following Cabinet Level positions have received Senate confirmation:
Secretary of the Treasury: Janet Yellen
Secretary of Defense: Lloyd Austin
Director of National Intelligence: Avril Haines
Secretary of State: Antony Blinken
Secretary of Transportation: Pete Buttigieg
Secretary of Homeland Security: Alejandro Mayorkas
Secretary of Energy: Jennifer Granholm
Secretary of Agriculture: Tom Vilsack
Secretary of Veterans Affairs: Denis McDonough
Cabinet Level positions expected to receive Senate confirmations soon:
Secretary of Education: Miguel Cardona
Attorney General: Merrick Garland
Secretary of Interior: Deb Haaland
Secretary of Labor: Marty Walsh
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Xavier Becerra
Additional White House appointment announcements include:
Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, an experienced health policy staffer, as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
James Kvaal, current president of the Institute for College Access & Success, as Under Secretary of Education.
Plain language:
President Biden continues to appoint people who will serve our country during his administration.
What it means to you:
The transition creates new leaders in federal agencies. The work of these agencies will create changes in federal policy that impacts the lives of people with disabilities and their families.
Action steps:
Continue to follow news from the Biden Administration at whitehouse.gov.
U.S. Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education released guidance to states on assessing student learning during the pandemic. The Department is urging states to view end-of-year assessment data as helpful information for parents and educators to target resources and support, as opposed to accountability measures. The federal government advises flexibility on assessment timelines, in-person vs. remote options, and shortening state assessments when possible. The Department is also allowing states to request a waiver for the accountability and school identification requirements mandated by the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Plain language:
The U.S. Department of Education is helping states figure out how to test students during COVID-19.
Check out more COVID-19 resources for schools, students, and families from the Department of Education.
AUCD Disability Policy Fellowship
The application is now open for the AUCD 2021-2022 Disability Policy Fellowship. The purpose of the Fellowship is to provide significant experiences in national level activities related to policy and legislative development, advocacy, program development, technical assistance, and AUCD administration. This is a paid full-time, one-year position beginning June 2021. The position offers a competitive salary and has the option to be located either in-person at the AUCD Silver Spring office or remote.
Applicants should submit a letter of interest explaining their reasons for wanting to become a Fellow, what they hope to get out of the fellowship, and how they plan to use the knowledge and skills gained. Please include a current resume and at least three letters of reference. A recent writing sample will be accepted but is not required. Please send all documents as attachments via e-mail only to: Rylin Rodgers, Director of Public Policy, at [email protected].
Plain language:
The application for the AUCD 2021-2022 Disability Policy Fellowship is now open. You need to apply by March 30th.
For questions, contact Public Policy Director Rylin Rodgers at [email protected], or current Disability Policy Fellow Lauren Blachowiak at [email protected].
Disability Policy Seminar
The Disability Policy Seminar and the pre-DPS events for the AUCD network will be entirely virtual this year.
The AUCD events will be virtual on March 19 and April 16. You may register for those free events now.
Disability Policy Seminar will be April 19, 2021 to April 22, 2021. The cost to students and self-advocates is $135, and $225 for all others. Registration is now open!
The Disability Policy Seminar offers the opportunity for passionate advocates, self-advocates, experts, and professionals in the field to come together and learn about key federal issues that affect them most. After a wide range of sessions offering training and learning, participants will learn how best to engage with their Members of Congress and be given opportunities to do so. You are welcome to register for both the AUCD events and the Disability Policy Seminar or for either.
Plain language:
The Disability Policy Seminar will be a virtual event from April 19, 2021 - April 22, 2021. You can register now!
The AUCD Prevents will be virtual on March 19 and April 16. You may register for those free events now.
On this week's vintage #TWL, Liz talks with Sarah Mueller, the 2019-2020 AUCD Policy Fellow, about the Disability Policy Seminar and how to prepare for it.
A network of interdisciplinary centers advancing policy and practice for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities.
Prescription drug pricing
COVID-19 Vaccine
Biden-Harris Administration
U.S. Department of Education
AUCD Disability Policy Fellowship
Disability Policy Seminar
