Budget & Appropriations: Short Term Funding Bill Expected To Pass This Week,
Averting Government Shutdown
According to press reports, Congress has likely avoided a crisis for now. The surprise
resignation last week of House Speaker John Boehner is widely read as a signal that a
spending bill will pass without controversial provisions such as defunding Planned
Parenthood. The Senate is expected to hold a key procedural vote Monday evening on a
“clean” bill that would fund the government through December 11. Final Senate passage
of the spending bill, expected by Tuesday night, would be quickly followed by the House
vote. However, the specter of a shutdown will likely be revisited in December, when
lawmakers must agree on another funding bill and disagreements over raising the current
caps for domestic spending come to the forefront.
Health Care: The House Begins Process to Repeal Key Provisions of the Affordable
Care Act (ACA)
On Tuesday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to begin the
process of defunding Planned Parenthood for one year and repealing the Prevention and
Public Health Fund that was created by the ACA. Community health centers would receive
approximately $235 million of the savings from stopping federal funding for Planned
Parenthood. The House Ways and Means Committee and Education and the Workforce
Committee are also expected to vote to repeal key features of the ACA, including provisions
requiring individuals and employers to purchase or provide health insurance and some of
the tax provisions that help pay for the law. Once the Budget Committee receives the
recommendations from each of the committees, it will draft a bill for the full House to
consider. President Obama is highly unlikely to sign any legislation repealing key features
of the ACA.
Major Event Last Week
Medicaid: CMS Releases its 2016 Medicaid Managed Care Rate Development Guide
Last week, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its 2016
Medicaid Managed Care Rate Development Guide. This document will assist states in
developing their Medicaid managed care rates for periods beginning on or after January 1,
2016. States and their actuaries are encouraged to follow this guide in the development of
their actuarial certifications. After states submit their proposals, CMS will use this Guide as
well as the regulations found at 42 CFR 438.6 as the basis for the review of 2016 actuarial
certifications. If you have any questions about the guide, please send them to
MMCratesetting@cms.hhs.gov.
ABLE Act: Regulation Comment Period Closed
The comment period for the IRS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for regulations to
implement the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act closed on Monday, September
21, 2015. Most comments have been posted, and other comments will be made available
soon. The Arc’s comments can be viewed here. Thank you to all chapters and members
who have commented. You have participated in an important part of the democratic
process.
Announcements
Marchand Internship: Application for Spring 2016 Session Due Oct. 1
The Paul Marchand Internship Fund will provide $3,000 per semester or summer session
to assist interns interested in pursuing careers in public policy advocacy for people with
intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD). For 38 years, Paul Marchand was a
dedicated disability policy advocate and recognized leader working on behalf of people I/DD
and the larger disability community. Upon his retirement in 2011, The Arc, with substantial
contributions from United Cerebral Palsy, other organizations, and individuals with whom
Paul worked during his decades in Washington, established an internship to honor Paul and
to continue to cultivate disability policy advocates. See application information and FAQs.
Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Fellowship Program Accepting Applications
The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation is seeking applicants for its Public Policy Fellowship.
Applicants should be exemplary professionals, people with disabilities, or family members
of people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. The fellowship prepares mid-
career or more seasoned leaders to assume leadership in the disability public policy arena
at the state or national level. Fellows spend one year in Washington, D.C. in the office of a
Member of Congress, Congressional Committee, or federal agency. Learn more and apply
for the fellowship here. Applications are due October 31, 2015.
Capitol Insider: Next Edition
The Arc’s National Convention starts October 3. As a result, the next edition of Capitol
Insider will be posted on October 12th. In the meantime, we encourage you to follow
@TheArcUS on Twitter, visit The Arc Capitol Insider Blog, as well as The Arc’s Facebook
page for up to date information related to federal policy.
Tony Paulauski Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
815-464-1832 (CELL)
Tony@thearcofil.org
