Capitol Insider
Major Events Last Week
Budget & Appropriations – House Package Introduced To Cut Mandatory Programs
The House of Representatives continues to discuss the development of the FY 2017 Budget Resolution. The Majority leadership of key House Committees are promoting plans to cut entitlement programs. Cuts to these programs (which include Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security) are being offered as a way to gain support from Members of Congress who are opposed to the $30 billion increase in discretionary spending limits that would be allowed in the FY 2017 House Budget Resolution. As part of this effort, a package of bills has been introduced:
- H.R. 4725, The Common Sense Savings Act. This bill would cut $25 billion over 10 years by shifting Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) costs to states and repealing the Prevention and Public Health Fund that created in the Affordable Care Act.
- H.R. 4722, A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require inclusion of the taxpayer’s social security number to claim the refundable portion of the child tax credit).
- H.R. 4723, The Protecting Taxpayers by Recovering Improper Obamacare Subsidy Overpayments Act This bill would recover health insurance subsidy overpayments due to underreported income estimates in health insurance exchange plan applications.
- H.R. 4724, The End the Duplicative Social Services Block Grant (SSBG). The $1.7 billion annual SSBG supports a number of efforts, including services for persons with disabilities. Learn more here.
Major Events Ahead
Budget & Appropriations – House Set To Markup Entitlement Cut Legislation
The House Energy and Commerce Committee begins its markup session today on two spending reduction measures, including the Common Sense Savings Act (H.R. 4725). This bill would cut $25 billion over 10 years by shifting Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) costs to states and repeals the Prevention and Public Health Fund. On Wednesday, the House Ways and Means Committee, is expected to take up H.R. 4723 that would recover health insurance subsidy overpayments due to underreported income estimates in health insurance exchange plan applications.
Announcements
Disability Policy Seminar—Early Bird Registration Extended
Early bird registration for the 2016 Disability Policy Seminar has been extended until midnight Wednesday, March 16. After early bird registrations ends the costs will increase to attend the Seminar in Washington DC on April 11-13. The program features sessions on the home and community based settings rule, Medicaid, education policy, and voting rights. Online registration ends April 6 so do not miss the opportunity to hear the latest on the issues and meet with your elected officials.
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