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Viewing: Budget and Spending
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April 21, 2020
NAMD Letter to Congress on Fourth Coronavirus Response Package
On April 13, The National Association of Medicaid (NAMD) sent a letter to Congressional leaders requesting urgent action to address resource gaps for critical Medicaid providers during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
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March 30, 2020
DOL Defines Health Care Provider for FFCRA Leave Provisions
The US Department of Labor recently issued an FAQ document regarding the expansions of paid sick and family leave in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The document indicates that state governors have the authority to designate Direct Support Professionals as health care providers for the purposes of the exemption from these provisions, which amend the Family and Medical Leave Act to extend these benefits more broadly during the COVID-19 national emergency. DOL will be issuing implementing regulations.
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March 30, 2020
President Signs Largest Stimulus Package in History
The President has signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES), a $2.2 trillion bill largely focused on economic stimulus related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
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February 11, 2020
President Releases 2021 Budget Proposal
President Trump has proposed a record $4.8 trillion budget for the 2021 fiscal year. The document provides a window into the White House’s policy priorities, although Congress ultimately holds the “power of the purse,” and in fact the Senate Budget Committee chair, Republican Mike Enzi of Wyoming, has already indicated that he won’t hold a hearing on the Trump budget.
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December 18, 2019
Permanent MFP Included in Drug Pricing Bill but Five Month Extension Likely
Senators Chuck Grassley (R—IA) and Ron Wyden (D—OR), Chair and Ranking Member of the Finance Committee, have introduced an updated version of their prescription drug bill, which includes a permanent reauthorization of Money Follows the Person (MFP). The revised Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 (PDPRA) now includes a “health extenders” package renewing several health-related programs that Congress must pass before the end of the year to prevent their expiration, and both MFP and spousal impoverishment protections receive a permanent extension in the legislation