|
Budget and Appropriations
On March 9th, President Biden released his budget for FY 2024. The budget serves as the blueprint for what programs he wants Congress to fund in FY 24. The budget contains many proposals for key investments to improve services and supports for people with disabilities. For example, the proposal includes increased funding for home and community-based services by $150 billion dollars (see page 31) and increased funding for special education and early intervention by $16.8 billion for Part B and $932 million in Part C grants (see page 26).
- The University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) were proposed to receive $46,173 million (AUCD’s request is $47,173 million).
- The Autism and Developmental Disabilities program was proposed to receive $57,344 million (AUCD’s request is $58,344 with at least $40 million for the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities programs (LEND))
- The Model Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities were proposed to receive $15,180 million (AUCD’s request is $15,180 million)
- The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (that funds the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers) were proposed to receive $1,749,078 (level funding from last year)
- The Center for Birth Defects, Developmental Disabilities, Disabilities and Health was proposed to receive $223,000 million (an increase from last year of $17 million)
Members of the House of Representatives are circulating “Dear Colleague” letters in support of increased funding the UCEDDs and LENDs in FY 24.
- Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE-At Large) is circulating a letter in support of increased funding for the UCEDDs, and other programs in the Developmental Disabilities and Bill of Rights Assistance Act, including the Protection and Advocacy program for Developmental Disabilities, State Councils on Developmental Disabilities and Projects of National Significance.
- Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) is circulating a letter of support for increased funding for research and training related to autism in the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This letter supports increased funding for the Autism and Developmental Disabilities program that includes funding for the LEND programs.
The deadline for Representatives to submit requests for funding (including Dear Colleague letters) to the Committee is March 24th at 6:00 pm ET. The deadline for the UCEDD letter is Mar. 22nd. The deadline for the LEND letter is Mar. 24th. The deadline for Senators to submit requests for funding to the Committee is April 13th.
The House Labor, Health Human, Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee has also announced that it will hold a public witness hearing on March 23rd. The deadline to submit written testimony is March 23rd. See the guidelines on the website.
Plain Language
The appropriations committees are in charge of deciding how much money different federal programs get, like the AUCD programs. Representatives and the Senators on the committee are beginning to decide how to fund federal programs in 2024. See the Senators on the appropriations committee. See the Representatives on the appropriations committee.
Action Steps
Call your Members of Congress and educate them on the importance of funding AUCD’s programs and other programs for people with disabilities next year. Inform them that letters of support for the UCEDDs and LENDs are circulating in the House of Representatives and the deadlines. Inform them of the successes of the programs so they will consider signing-on in support. You can reach your Members of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.
The Comprehensive Access to Resources and Education (CARE) for Long COVID Act Introduced in the House and the Senate
On March 15th, Senator Kaine (D-VA), and 10 Democratic co-sponsors and Representative Beyer (D-VA-8th), and Representative Bergman (D-MI-1st) introduced the Comprehensive Access to Resources and Education (CARE) for Long COVID Act ( S.801 / H.R.1616) Many adults and children are still living with long-term effects of COVID-19. This bill will work to improve the lives of those affected by Long COVID. Specifically, the bill will accelerate Long COVID research, improve the understanding of Long COVID treatment efficacy and disparities, educate Long COVID patients and medical providers through efforts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop and disseminate information on common symptoms and treatment for Long COVID and related conditions; facilitate interagency coordination to educate the public, including employers and schools, on the impact of Long COVID and the rights associated with employment, disability status, and education for individuals with Long COVID; and develop partnerships between community-based organizations, social service providers, and legal assistance providers to help individuals with Long COVID access needed services.
Plain Language
On March 15th, Senator Kaine (D-VA), Representative Beyer (D-VA-8th), and Representative Bergman (D-MI-1st) introduced the Comprehensive Access to Resources and Education (CARE) for Long COVID Act. Long COVID is when somebody gets COVID-19, and continues to feel sick for weeks, months, or years after having COVID. This bill will help scientists and health care workers understand the best ways to treat Long COVID and support people with Long COVID.
Action Steps
Read a one-pager on the bill. Call your Senators and Representatives and educate them on the importance of supporting people with Long COVID. You can contact your Senators or Representatives by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.
The Home and Community Based Services Access Act Introduced in the House and Senate
On March 9th, Senator Casey (D-PA) and Representative Dingell (D-MI-6th) introduced the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Access Act (S. 762 / H.R. 1493). The bill is cosponsored by 17 Democratic Senators and 1 Democratic Representative.
This bill would amend the Social Security Act to require and expand HCBS under Medicaid. Specifically, the bill will increase Medicaid funding for HCBS; provide grant funding for states to expand their capacity to meet the needs of people who prefer HCBS; make steps to improve the stability, availability, and quality of direct care providers to help address the decades-long workforce shortage crisis; provide states with resources so that caregiving workers—who are disproportionately women of color—have stable, quality jobs and a living wage; provide training and support for family caregivers; and create better evaluation measures to assess the quality of HCBS being provided.
Plain Language
On March 9th, Senator Casey (D-PA) and Representative Dingell (D-MI-6) introduced the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Access Act. This bill would improve access to and give states more money so that more people can receive HCBS.
Action Steps
Read a one-pager on the bill. Call your Senators and Representative and educate them on the importance of expanding HCBS for people with disabilities. You can contact your Senators or Representatives by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.
Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Seeks Input on the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act
The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee is seeking input from public health officials, health care providers, and other relevant stakeholders on policies the Committee should consider for the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA). The Committee is specifically looking at the effectiveness of existing programs, how to improve the ability of states and localities to respond to public health crises, any gaps in activities or authorities in the PAHPA framework, and ways to bolster partnerships between the federal government, states and localities, the private sector, and non-government stakeholders. PAHPA is set to expire on September 30th, 2023. For more information, read this letter from Senate HELP Committee.
Plain Language
The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee will have to update the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) by the end of September. The Committee is looking for comments on any changes that need to be made. For more information, read this letter from the Senate HELP Committee.
Action Steps
Read this letter for more information on submitting comments. Submit comments to [email protected] no later than close of business on Wednesday, March 29, 2023.
New Bills Around Air Travel Safety and Accessibility Introduced in House and Senate
On February 28th, Representative Dina Titus (D-NV-1st) and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act (S. 545 / H.R .1267). The Act updates the original Air Carrier Access Act of 1986. Specifically, this bill will require the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to assess civil penalties for Air Carrier Access Act violations and refer patterns of discrimination to the U.S. Department of Justice; grant individuals with disabilities a private right of action in civil court; require the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to formulate standards to address effective boarding and deplaning, visually accessible announcements, in-flight entertainment, seating accommodations, lavatories, and stowage options for assistive devices; (within five years after the standards are finalized, airlines would need to operate aircraft that comply with them); and ensuring all covered gates, counters, ticketing areas, and customer services desks are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
On February 14th, Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced the Prioritizing Accountability and Accessibility for Aviation Consumers Act (S. 400). This bill will require the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to publish an annual report on the number of disability-related complaints, and an overview of how these complaints were addressed.
Plain Language
On February 28th, Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV-1) and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act. This bill will make sure that people with disabilities have equal rights while flying on airplanes.
On February 14th, Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced the Prioritizing Accountability and Accessibility for Aviation Consumers Act. This bill will help show everyone the number of issues people with disabilities have on airplanes and in airports.
Action Steps
Read one pager for the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act. Read the one pager for the Prioritizing Accountability and Accessibility for Aviation Consumers Act. Call your Senators and Representative and educate them on the importance of accessibility of airports and airplanes for people with disabilities. You can contact your Senators or Representatives by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.
Federal Policy Updates for State Advocates
The Coalition on Human Needs is hosting a new meeting called The Federal Connection. The meetings will be twice-monthly Zoom meetings and an email group for state advocates to share federal policy updates. Sign up for the meeting invite and listserv. The Coalition on Human Needs will send recordings and all information shared from meetings after the Zoom meetings.
Policy related “How To” materials can be found on our website here. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find the resources!
Tuesdays with Liz: Did you know that Liz has a YouTube Channel?
'Tuesdays with Liz' is a weekly video series highlighting current issues in disability policy. It is hosted by Liz Weintraub, a long-time disability advocate, and produced by AUCD.
You can help spread her message by:
- Subscribing to the Tuesdays with Liz YouTube Channel!
- Liking videos on the channel
- Making comments on the channel
 
For more from AUCD, follow @AUCDNews and like AUCD on Facebook
For definitions of terms, please see AUCD's List of Policy Definitions
|
