News Archive
The House passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R.6201). The bill is now being considered in the Senate. The bill includes a 6.2% federal medical assistance percentage increase to support Medicaid funding to the states. There are some provisions that … Continue reading →
The post House Approves Coronavirus Relief Bill appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On March 11, the House passed the Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 (H.R.4334) with Senate amendments. This bill reauthorizes the Older Americans Act, including the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). The NFCSP provides information to caregivers about available … Continue reading →
The post Family Support: House Approves Reauthorization of Older Americans Act With Senate Amendments appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On March 11, the House Committee on Education and Labor’s Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing on the Healthy Families Act (H.R.1784). This bill provides for paid and unpaid sick leave for employees to meet their own medical needs … Continue reading →
The post Family Support/Employment: House Committee Holds Hearing on Paid Sick Leave Legislation appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On January 14, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a proposed rule that erodes the protections of the Fair Housing Act. The proposed rule is a big step back from efforts to fight housing discrimination and segregation … Continue reading →
The post Housing: Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Comments Due Today appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On March 12, the Department of Education (ED) released three guidance documents regarding responses to COVID-19: one relating to flexibility in accountability standards under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, another relating to student privacy protection under the Family Educational … Continue reading →
The post Education: Education Department Releases Guidance Documents Relating to COVID-19 Outbreak appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
New data from the Department of Education indicate that the percentage of students with disabilities identified with autism has increased from 4.97% in 2008 to 10.51% in 2018. Students with autism were less likely to drop out than students with … Continue reading →
The post Education: ED Reports Doubling of Students Identified with Autism appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On March 6, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a final rule prohibiting electrical stimulation devices (ESDs). These devices have inflicted painful abuse on residents of the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center in Canton, Massachusetts for decades. The rule takes … Continue reading →
The post Rights: FDA Issues Long Awaited Final Rule Banning Electric Shock Devices appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) and Representatives Kathleen Rice (D-NY), Sean Maloney (D-NY), John Katko (R-NY), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act (S.3369/H.R.6045). This bill directs the Office of … Continue reading →
The post Direct Support Professionals: Bipartisan Legislation Creating Separate Code for DPSs Introduced in the House and Senate appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On March 6, the Senate passed the Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 (H.R.4334). This bill reauthorizes the Older Americans Act, including the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). The NFCSP provides information to caregivers about available services, assistance in … Continue reading →
The post Family Support: Senate Approves Reauthorization of Older Americans Act appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On March 11, the House Committee on Education and Labor’s Subcommittee on Workforce Protections will hold a hearing on the Healthy Families Act (H.R.1784). This bill provides for paid and unpaid sick leave for employees to meet their own medical … Continue reading →
The post Family Support/Employment: House Committee to Hold Hearing on Paid Sick Leave Legislation appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On January 14, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a proposed rule that erodes the protections of the Fair Housing Act. The proposed rule is a big step back from efforts to fight housing discrimination and segregation … Continue reading →
The post Housing: Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Comments Due March 16 appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On February 24, the Senate passed the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2019 (S.995) by unanimous consent. The Lifespan Respite Care Program, through grants to states, helps build coordinated state lifespan respite systems, helps family caregivers pay for respite … Continue reading →
The post Family Support: Senate Approves Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that the Department of Education report annually on the progress made toward the provision of a free appropriate public education to all children with disabilities and the provision of early intervention services … Continue reading →
The post Education: 41st Annual Report to Congress on IDEA Implementation Released appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On February 24, the public charge rule takes effect nationwide. The public charge rule defines how the Department of Homeland Security decides who is inadmissible to the U.S. because the government thinks they are likely to become a “public charge,” … Continue reading →
The post Immigration: Public Charge Rule Takes Effect appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On February 11, the House Committee on Education and Labor Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing titled “Balancing Work, Health, and Family: The Case for Expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act.” Witnesses were State Representative Sydney Batch (NC); … Continue reading →
The post Family Support/Employment: House Committee Holds Hearing on Expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On February 10, President Trump released his Budget Request for Fiscal Year (FY 2021). The budget contains about $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and Social Security. Additionally, the budget cuts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or foods stamps by … Continue reading →
The post Budget & Appropriations: President’s Budget Request for FY 2021 Released Last Week appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
President Trump released his Budget Request for Fiscal Year (FY 2021). The budget contains many of the same harmful proposals for people with disabilities that it has in past years, primarily cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security as well … Continue reading →
The post Budget & Appropriations: President’s Budget for FY 2021 Released Today appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On February 11, the House Committee on Education and the Labor Subcommittee on Workforce Protections will hold a hearing titled “Balancing Work, Health, and Family: The Case for Expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act.” Witnesses will be State Representative … Continue reading →
The post Family Support/Employment: House Committee to Hold Hearing on Expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On February 6, the House of Representatives passed H.Res.826, expressing disapproval of the Administration’s Medicaid block grant guidance. The non-binding resolution calls on the administration to withdraw the guidance, stating that it is illegal and harmful to beneficiaries. Under this … Continue reading →
The post Medicaid: House Passes Resolution Expressing Disapproval of Medicaid Block Grant Proposal appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On February 5, the House Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Military Personnel held a hearing titled “Exceptional Family Member Program – Are the Military Services Really Taking Care of Family Members?” Witnesses included Kelly Hruska, Government Relations Director, National Military … Continue reading →
The post Family Support: House Committee Holds Hearing on Exceptional Family Member Program appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On February 13 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET, the Coalition on Human Needs (CHN) will host a webinar on the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. While the proposals in this budget are not expected to be enacted … Continue reading →
The post CHN to Hold Webinar on President’s FY 2021 Budget appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
The RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council will hold its second meeting on February 11 and 12 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. ET. The virtual meeting is open to the public and can be accessed on the Council’s webpage. This council … Continue reading →
The post Public Online Meeting of RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council to Take Place This Week appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On January 30, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released new guidance allowing states to cap their federal Medicaid funding for the low-income adult population in exchange for greater flexibility to limit coverage. States would be allowed to … Continue reading →
The post Medicaid: CMS Releases New Block Grant Guidance appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On January 28, the House Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing titled “Legislative Proposals for Paid Family and Medical Leave.” Witnesses were Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Ann Wagner (R-MO), and Elise Stefanik (R-NY); Joan Lunden, former host of … Continue reading →
The post Employment/Family Support: House Committee Holds Hearing on Paid Leave appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On February 5 at 2:00 p.m., the House Committee of Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties will hold a hearing titled “A Threat to America’s Children: The Trump Administration’s Proposal to Gut Fair Housing Accountability.” … Continue reading →
The post Housing: House Committee to Hold Hearing on Fair Housing Rule appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
The Administration on Community Living (ACL) is seeking public input for the development of a national strategy on family caregiving. Advocates are encouraged to comments on issues relating to caregiving, such as paid leave, tax credits, and respite options. Please … Continue reading →
The post Input for National Family Caregiver Strategy Due February 7 appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Last week, The Arc unveiled its new Census 2020 resource page. The resources include videos and written materials for people with disabilities and community organizations. The census helps to direct billions annually in federal funding. Census data is used by … Continue reading →
The post The Arc Releases Census Resources appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has extended its deadline for comments on its proposed rule to expand the use of continuing disability reviews (CDR). Currently, SSA reviews eligibility for Old Age Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) and Supplemental Security Income … Continue reading →
The post Social Security: SSA Extends Comment Period on CDR Rule appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Elected for Inclusion: A Presidential Forum on Disability has been postponed due to the timing of the January Democratic presidential debate and other factors. The Arc remains committed to engaging candidates about issues of importance to people with disabilities, is … Continue reading →
The post Presidential Forum on Disability Postponed appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On December 18, the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declared parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) unconstitutional and sent the case back to the lower court to determine which parts of the law will remain in effect. Many … Continue reading →
The post Health: Appeals Court Rules Part of ACA Unconstitutional appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
All 12 Fiscal 2020 spending bills were passed by both chambers of Congress and signed by the President on December 20, the day the previous short-term funding bill was set to expire. The $1.3 trillion spending package included a few … Continue reading →
The post Budget & Appropriations: Funding Bills for Remainder of FY 2020 Enacted; Low Income Tax Credits Not Included appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Late last month, Congress approved and President Trump signed a five-month extension of the Money Follows the Person (MFP) Program as part of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (H.R.1865). However, Congress did not approve a permanent reauthorization. MFP has … Continue reading →
The post Medicaid/LTSS: Congress Approves MFP Extension appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On December 17, Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Kamala Harris (D-CA), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) introduced the Family Medical Leave Modernization Act (S.3071/H.R.5456). This bill expands the … Continue reading →
The post Family Support/Employment: Family Medical Leave Modernization Act Introduced in House and Senate appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On December 19, President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act of 2020 (S.1790), which includes a provision providing 12 weeks of paid parental leave for federal employees caring for newborns, newly adopted children, or foster children. However, the bill … Continue reading →
The post Family Support/Employment: President Signs Defense Bill Providing Paid Parental Leave for Federal Employees appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On January 8, the House Energy and Commerce Committee Health Subcommittee will mark up seven bills, including the Protecting Patients Transportation to Care Act (H.R.3935). This bill clarifies that non-emergency medical transportation is a mandatory benefit under Medicaid. Visit the … Continue reading →
The post Health: House Subcommittee to Mark Up Medicaid Transportation Bill appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On December 16, advocates are holding a national call-in day to urge Congress to pass a permanent Money Follows the Person (MFP) reauthorization before funding runs out at the end of the year. On December 6, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) … Continue reading →
The post TAKE ACTION! TODAY Is National Call-In Day for MFP Reauthorization appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Congressional appropriators have signaled progress in a plan to fund the government through the remainder of fiscal year (FY) 2020, which began on October 1. Last week, Appropriations leaders announced an agreement in principle on all 12 appropriations bills. According … Continue reading →
The post Budget & Appropriations: Action on FY 2020 Appropriations Expected This Week appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Representatives John Larson (D-CT) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL) introduced the Know Your Social Security Act (S.2989, H.R.5306). This bill requires the Social Security Administration to provide each beneficiary an annual Social … Continue reading →
The post Social Security: Bipartisan Social Security Bill Introduced in House and Senate appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On December 11, the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R.2500) with a provision providing 12 weeks of paid parental leave for all federal employees. However, the bill does not provide paid leave for personal medical issues or to … Continue reading →
The post Employment/Family Support: House Passes Bill Providing Paid Parental Leave for Federal Employees appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On December 6, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced a bipartisan agreement to permanently reauthorize the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) spousal impoverishment protections as part of the larger Drug … Continue reading →
The post Medicaid/LTSS: Senators Announce Bipartisan Agreement to Permanently Reauthorize MFP appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Public Schools Week will take place February 24-28, 2020. In preparation for this week, advocates are encouraged to take the Pledge for Public Schools. Public schools educate 9 in 10 students across the country, including millions of students with disabilities. … Continue reading →
The post Education: Advocates Encouraged to Take Pledge for Public Schools appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On December 3, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on the use of mediation, due process complaints, and state complaints in Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Within those states, very high-income school districts were more likely … Continue reading →
The post Education: GAO Report Finds Race, Income Disparities in Pursuing IDEA Remedies appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On November 21, President Trump signed H.R.3055, a continuing resolution (CR) that funds the government through December 20. The additional four weeks of funding will allow lawmakers to negotiate over the line item amounts and a few controversial funding line … Continue reading →
The post Budget & Appropriations: President Signs Short-Term Funding Bill appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On November 23, lead Congressional appropriators reached a deal on topline spending levels for the 12 annual spending bills for FY 2020. This agreement can pave the way for enacting the spending bills by the December 20 deadline and avoid … Continue reading →
The post Budget & Appropriations: Appropriators Reach Agreement on Topline Funding Levels for Remainder of FY 2020 appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Next month, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will host two webinars regarding recent Notices of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Section 811 Housing. The first HUD webinar will relate to the FY 2019 811 Project Rental Assistance Supportive … Continue reading →
The post Housing: Upcoming Webinars on Housing Funding Opportunities appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
The House is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a funding stopgap measure to prevent a government shutdown. The measure would extend the current continuing resolution (CR) from November 21 to December 20. The continuing resolution (CR) comes as lawmakers continue … Continue reading →
The post Budget & Appropriations: House to Vote on Short Term Spending Bill to Avert Shutdown appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
Last week, the National Center for Special Education in Charter Schools (NCSECS) released the Key Trends in Special Education in Charter Schools in2015-2016: Secondary Analysis of the Civil Rights Data Collection. This report analyzes the Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) … Continue reading →
The post Education: NCSECS Releases Report on Civil Rights Data Collection appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On November 6, the National Council on Disability (NCD) released a report titled “Quality-Adjusted Life Years and the Devaluation of Life with Disability.” The report details the use of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) in the evaluation of treatment coverage. QALYs … Continue reading →
The post Health/Rights: NCD Releases Report on Quality-Adjusted Life Years appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On Thursday, November 14, The Arc and partner organizations will host a call-in day in support of the ABLE Age Adjustment Act. For the past five years, Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts have allowed millions of people with … Continue reading →
The post Tax: Advocates Host Call-In Day for ABLE Age Adjustment Act appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
On October 29, the Department of Transportation (DOT) will host the Access and Mobility for All Summit. The summit provides an opportunity for the public to learn about DOT and government-wide efforts to improve access to transportation for people with … Continue reading →
The post Transportation: Department of Transportation to Host Access and Mobility for All Summit appeared first on The Capitol Insider.
