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By Amy Goldstein, MSN News

A federal judge in Washington threw a significant roadblock into the Trump administration’s efforts to require poor people on Medicaid to be compelled to work in exchange for health benefits, rejecting a Kentucky program for a second time while saying that rules in effect in Arkansas “cannot stand.”

The twinned opinions, in a pair of states that have been national leaders in the move towards Medicaid work requirements, cast doubt on the Trump administration’s approvals of efforts to re-envision the public insurance program. The opinions undo the permission the U.S. Health and Human Services Department had given those two states, telling the agency it must reconsider their applications with an eye towards the effect on poor people who depend on the coverage… Read full article here.

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This alert contains information from both the National Council for Behavioral Health and the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association (AMRPA).

On Monday, President Trump unveiled his Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 budget request — calling for a $4.7 trillion decrease in federal spending and detailing his Administration’s priorities for next year. The document revives efforts to block grant Medicaid and restrict eligibility, maintains spending to combat opioid addiction, and outlines other major health care priorities. As with most presidential budgets, this proposal stands little chance of being enacted into law as written. Instead, the President’s budget proposal will act more as a messaging tool to Congress, which is currently working to develop and pass a budget for FY 2020 over the next few months.

It is important to note that it is the role of Congress, not the President, to design and pass the federal budget. As with the President’s previous two budgets, this year’s ambitious spending cuts are unlikely to gain traction in Congress. Regardless, they present a starting point for the budget and appropriations processes and outline President Trump’s priorities as he navigates a divided Congress. It remains to be seen if any of the President’s recommendations (detailed below) will be taken up by Congressional appropriators as they move through the budget process.

Among the highlights of the President’s budget request for the Health and Human Services Department (HHS) for FY 2020:

Medicaid – Particularly notable among Medicaid proposals in the President’s budget are a requirement for all states to institute work requirements as a condition of enrollment and to eliminate the Medicaid expansion contained in the ACA. Earlier Kaiser Family Foundation estimates have found that a nationwide rollout of Medicaid work requirements could cost between 1.4 and 4 million individuals their health care coverage. Furthermore, the budget calls for Medicaid spending to be redirected into block grants or for per-capita caps to be imposed.

Although Congressional Republicans and the Administration have previously proposed to convert the Medicaid program to block grants through Graham-Cassidy and similar legislation, the Administration has recently given indications that it could attempt to implement block grants for some states through 1115 waiver authority. The budget also calls once again for passing legislation similar to the Graham-Cassidy bill, however, the chances for legislation that would make major changes to Medicaid and/or the Affordable Care Act passing the Democratic-controlled House are nonexistent.

Opioid Crisis — The budget would keep funding for a response to the opioid epidemic relatively flat. The Administration calls for the continuation of the $1.5 billion in State Opioid Response (SOR) grants, the same amount as FY 2019. The budget also asks for $1 billion for the NIH’s opioid and pain research programs, to set minimum standards for drug utilization review (DUR) programs, and $221 million to support and grow the behavioral health workforce. Of the funding to support the behavioral health workforce, $4 million would be set aside to train providers to prescribe medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorders. Additionally, the Administration proposes to continue funding Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment block grants at $1.85 billion.

ONDCP – Trump’s fiscal 2020 budget blueprint for the third year in a row proposes slashing the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy’s (ONDCP) budget by more than 95 percent by moving the office’s two major grant programs into other federal agencies. The $100 million Drug Free Communities program would be folded into the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) while the $254 million High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas grant would be transferred to the Department of Justice.

Mental Health — The President’s budget calls for $723 million (a $13 million increase) for the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant and $150 million for Children’s Mental Health Services, all level funding from FY 2019. Importantly, the President once again endorsed Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) model to care for people with serious mental illness and addiction, calling for level funding for CCBHC expansion grants at $125 million. In response to the Parkland school shooting, the budget also includes $133 million for school violence prevention efforts, which include school safety programs as well as trainings within schools for school personnel to better recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness in students, such as Mental Health First Aid.

In total, SAMHSA sees its budget reduced by $62 million to $5.5 billion total. Some of that savings comes from regional substance abuse prevention and treatment programs and programs that provide advocacy for individuals with mental illnesses. Notably, the proposal eliminates the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration grants, a program that supports providers in implementing integrated care. The National Council will advocate for continued funding of this important program that improves care for individuals with co-occurring behavioral and physical health conditions.

NIH Funding — The budget rolls out the President’s initiative to end the HIV epidemic, a hallmark of his 2019 State of the Union address. HHS would receive $291 million for the initiative, including $140 million to the CDC for diagnosis and testing. The NIH would see an overall budget cut of approximately $5.5 billion.

Post-acute care providers – Unified PAC Payment System. The Budget proposes to “address excessive payment for post-acute care providers by establishing a unified payment system based on patients’ clinical needs rather than the site of care.” The Budget table shows savings from the reform beginning in FY 2020. The HHS Budget-in-Brief explains that the proposal will provide lower annual Medicare payment updates to SNFs, HHAs, and IRFs beginning in FY 2020 through FY 2024. In FY 2025, HHS would implement a unified post-acute care payment system for SNFs, HHAs, IRFs, and LTCHs. The payment rates would be budget neutral in FY 2025, risk adjusted, and established prospectively annually. According to HHS, the episode grouping and pricing would be based on the average cost for providing post-acute care services for a diagnosis, similar to the DRG methodology for inpatient hospitals. The proposal provides the Secretary with authority to adjust payments based on quality of care, geographic differences in labor and other costs, as well as other factors as determined appropriate.

Additional details on the President’s HHS budget request are outlined in the Department’s budget-in-brief document.

Questions, contact RCPA Director of Government Affairs Jack Phillips.

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(From DHS news room)

Wolf Administration: Trump-Proposed Cuts to Federal Health Programs Jeopardize Access to Life-Saving Health Care

Harrisburg, PA – The Wolf Administration today spoke out against potential cuts contained in President Trump’s proposed federal budget, which would significantly change Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act. In total, these programs help more than 5.5 million older, working, and low-income Pennsylvanians access routine and life-saving health care.

Under President Trump’s proposed budget, Medicaid expansion, which currently covers nearly 700,000 Pennsylvanians, would be eliminated. Medicaid would also be converted from an entitlement program that provides coverage to all who are eligible to block grant allocated to states based on a per-person funding cap.

“Medicaid allows more than 2.8 million Pennsylvanians to access health care coverage that would otherwise be unaffordable or inaccessible. Changing the program to a block grant system and eliminating the Medicaid expansion would result in significant losses of coverage and more people being unable to access the care they need to stay healthy,” said Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller.

The federal budget also proposes a nationwide work requirement for able-bodied, working-age Medicaid recipients, requiring them to find work, train for work, or volunteer in order to maintain coverage. This requirement would be similar to what is in place for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients, a program the Wolf Administration is currently redesigning to address barriers to employment and encourage better long-term employment outcomes for TANF recipients.

“A work requirement doesn’t get a person a job — let alone a family sustaining job. It jeopardizes their access to health care and other essential needs, and without the investment needed to assist them to address the factors that can hold them back, they continue to be stuck in a cycle of poverty and poor health,” said Secretary Miller. “Governor Wolf is redesigning Pennsylvania’s employment and training programs to better address the barriers that prevent people from obtaining family-sustaining jobs. The federal government should follow this work rather than creating another barrier to good health.”

The President’s proposed budget also encourages implementing the ACA replacement proposed by Senators Bill Cassidy and Lindsey Graham, which would end protections against inflated pricing for older consumers, tax credits for plans purchased through the health insurance exchange, and essential health benefits, among others. The plan was previously called a step backwards by the Wolf Administration in 2017.

“Pennsylvania’s uninsured rate is at an all-time low of just 5.5 percent, down from more than double digits before the Affordable Care Act took effect. Governor Wolf and I continue to strive to ensure all Pennsylvanians have access to coverage that is both affordable and comprehensive. Unfortunately, this budget would move in the opposite direction,” Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman said. “We need to build upon the progress we have made, and not look to policies like those contained in President Trump’s budget proposal that could jeopardize the coverage gains we have made and the health care programs millions of Pennsylvanians rely on.”

Commissioner Altman noted for 2019, the aggregate statewide premium for individual ACA plans fell by 2.3 percent, a new insurer entered the state, and consumers in 30 counties had more options than in 2018, all indicating Pennsylvania’s individual health insurance market is moving toward stabilization.

“Under the Older Americans Act, the Department of Aging is responsible for serving as a visible and effective advocate on behalf of older Pennsylvanians,” said Acting Secretary of Aging Robert Torres. “President Trump’s proposed budget is the antithesis of what our seniors need and deserve.”

The budget proposes a 20% decrease in funding to the National Family Caregiver Support Program, a 26% percent decrease in funding to the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, and the elimination of funding for the Senior Community Services Employment Program and Elder Falls Prevention.

The administration called on President Trump and Congress to work together on federal health plans that break down barriers to work without jeopardizing vulnerable Pennsylvanians’ access to health care.

“Although this proposal is unlikely to pass Congress in this form, the spirit of this proposed budget still presents a cruel agenda that would jeopardize access to quality health care, making it more difficult for millions of Pennsylvanians,” said Secretary Miller. “Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act are lifelines, and the federal government must recognize the important role they play in many lives and strengthen these programs so they may continue to help people live healthy, productive lives for years to come.”

MEDIA CONTACT:   Ali Fogarty – 717.425.7606
Ron Ruman, PID – 717.787.3289
Drew Wilburne, Aging – 717.705.3702

# # #

RCPA will be monitoring the federal budget in conjunction with our national associations and will inform members about any important updates. Further questions may be directed to Jack Phillips.

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Recently, the Federal Department of Labor (DOL) announced its new proposed overtime rule. The DOL is proposing to raise the overtime threshold from the current level of $23,600 ($455/week) up to $35,308 ($679/week).

In 2016, President Obama’s overtime proposal would have taken the threshold to $47,476 ($913/week), and Governor Wolf’s 2018 proposal would take it to $47,892 ($921/week). Unlike previous proposals, the rule is not expected to include an automatic escalator.

More information about the proposed rule is available online. The DOL encourages any interested members of the public to submit comments about the proposed rule electronically at this website, in the rulemaking docket RIN 1235-AA20. Once the rule is published in the Federal Register, the public will have 60 days to submit comments for those comments to be considered.

Questions, please contact Jack Phillips, Director of Government Affairs.

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Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA-3), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-5) introduced the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act of 2019 (HR 873 / S 260). This Act provides states, service providers, subminimum wage certificate holders, and other agencies with the resources to help workers with disabilities transition into competitive, integrated employment. The Transformation to Competitive Employment Act is legislation designed to strengthen and enhance the disability employment service delivery systems throughout states while subminimum wages, which are currently allowed under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, are phased out over a six-year period. Currently, under Section 14(c), employers that obtain a certificate are permitted to hire individuals with disabilities at less than minimum wage. The Act would include some grant money to assist states and certificate holders in transforming their organizations.

Chairman Scott’s press release lists the organizations supporting the bill: “American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE), Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), Autism National Committee, Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), Autism Society of America, Center for Public Representation (CPR), Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination (CPSD), Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR), Disability Rights California, Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF), Disability Rights Florida, Disability Rights Iowa, Disability Rights New Mexico, Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service, Inc., National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS), National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), National Disability Institute (NDI), National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC), National Federation of the Blind (NFB), National Rehabilitation Association, TASH, Inc.”

ACCSES, on the other hand, strongly supports a full array of employment options for people with disabilities, including Section 14(c), and will continue to advocate for providers and people who chose this option. Contact Carol Ferenz, RCPA IDD Division Director, with any questions.

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Midterm Election Results: Split Decision Nationally, Good Night for PA Democrats in State Races

Yesterday was a mixed bag of results nationally for both parties. The Democrats took control of the House Representatives, while the Republicans maintained control of the Senate. After a cursory look at the federal election results in Pennsylvania and nationwide, it looks like the blue wave did materialize like some had predicted. Nationally, the Democrats gained a little better than the historic average of 28 seats for the party out of power during a presidential mid-term election. The Democrats in Pennsylvania took advantage of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court-drawn congressional map and congressional retirements to flip seats in the Southeast. The breakdown of the PA Congressional Delegation prior to last night was 13-5 in favor of the Republicans; after last night, the PA Congressional Delegation breakdown will be 9-9 between Democrats and Republicans.

In the Senate, Incumbent Senator Bob Casey had an easy time dispatching his challenger Lou Barletta. Nationally, the Republicans held control of the Senate and added 3 to 4 seats to their majority. The Senate still has races that are “too close to call” in Montana and Arizona, and in Mississippi there will be a run-off election on November 27, because no one received more than 50% of the vote.

Turning back to Pennsylvania, Governor Tom Wolf defeated his opponent Scott Wagner by a 17% point margin, ensuring him 4 more years in the Governor’s mansion. In the General Assembly, the Senate Democrats were able to pick up 4-5 seats (one seat is “too close to call”). The PA Democrat Senate picked up at least 3 seats in the Southeast and one in the Southwest. The race in Bucks County between Incumbent State Senator Tommy Tomlinson and Democrat Challenger Tina Davis is “too close to call” with Senator Tomlinson leading by 500 or less. Incumbent State Senate Republicans Tom McGarricle (R – Delaware County) and John Rafferty (R – Montgomery) lost to their Democrat challengers. In the Southwest (Allegheny County – District 38), Democrat Lindsey Williams defeated Republican Jeremy Shaffer, who won the primary against the Incumbent Republican Senator Randy Vulakovich by a margin of 50.22% to 49.78%. When the PA Senate returns in January, the Republicans will maintain control of the Senate by a margin of 29 – 21 or 30 – 20 (depending on the outcome of the Tomlinson v. Davis race in Bucks County).

New members of the PA Senate are as follows:

  • Steve Santarsiero (D – Bucks). He defeated former State House Republican Marquerite Quinn
  • Maria Collet (D – Bucks/Montgomery). She defeated retiring State Senator Stewart Greenleaf’s son
  • Tim Kearney (D – Delaware). He defeated Incumbent State Senator Tom McGarrigle
  • Kristin Phillips-Hill (R – York). She won Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Scott Wagner’s open seat
  • Judy Ward (R – Blair/Fulton). She won the seat vacated by Republican State Senator John Eichelberger
  • Lindsey Williams (D – Allegheny). She defeated Republican Jeremy Shaffer, who won the primary against the Incumbent Republican Senator Randy Vulakovich
  • Katie Muth (D – Berks/Chester/Montgomery). She defeated incumbent State Senator John Rafferty

The Democrats also had a good night in state House races. The Democrats picked up 10 seats in the PA House. Again as in the PA Senate, House Democrats picked up most of their seats in the collar counties of Philadelphia. The Republicans had 121 of the House’s 203 seats to defend. Out of those 121 seats, 20 seats were open because of Incumbent Republican retirements. Democrats won 5 of the open seats, which were held by Republicans, and they unseated 8 Republican incumbents; however, the Democrats also lost 3 of their own seats to Republicans for a net gain of 10. The Republicans will still maintain control of the PA House of Representatives by a margin of 111 – 92.

New members of the House are as follows:

  • 2nd District – Democrat Robert Merski (OPEN)
  • 15th – Republican Joshua Kail (OPEN)
  • 21st – Democrat Sara Innamorato
  • 29th – Republican Meghan Schroeder (OPEN)
  • 30th – Republican Lori Mizgorski (OPEN)
  • 34th – Democrat Summer Lee
  • 39th – Republican Michael Puskaric (OPEN)
  • 40th – Republican Natalie Mihalek (OPEN)
  • 44th – Republican Valerie Gaydos (OPEN)
  • 53rd – Democrat Steven Malagari (OPEN)(PICK-UP)
  • 54th – Republican Robert Brooks (OPEN)
  • 61st – Democrat Laura Hanbidge (PICK-UP)
  • 62nd – Republican James Struzzi (OPEN)
  • 68th – Republican Clinton Owlett (OPEN)
  • 71st – Republican James Rigby (PICK-UP)
  • 74th – Democrat Dan Williams (OPEN)(PICK-UP)
  • 76th – Republican Stephanie Borowicz (OPEN)(PICK-UP)
  • 79th – Republican Louis Schmitt (OPEN)
  • 80th – Republican James Gregory (OPEN)
  • 82nd – Republican Johnathan Hershey (OPEN)
  • 93rd – Republican Paul Jones (OPEN)
  • 105th – Republican Andrew Lewis (OPEN)
  • 112th – Democrat Kyle Mullins (OPEN)
  • 143rd – Democrat Wendy Ullman (OPEN)(PICK-UP)
  • 144th – Republican Todd Polinchock (OPEN)
  • 146th – Democrat Joseph Ciresi (PICK-UP)
  • 150th – Democrat Joseph Webster (OPEN)(PICK-UP)
  • 153rd – Democrat Ben Sanchez (OPEN)
  • 155th – Democrat Danielle Otten (PICK-UP)
  • 157th – Democrat Melissa Shusterman (PICK-UP)
  • 158th – Democrat Christina Sappey (PICK-UP)
  • 162nd – Democrat David Delloso (OPEN)(PICK-UP)
  • 163rd – Democrat Michael Zabel (PICK-UP)
  • 165th – Democrat Jennifer Omara (PICK-UP)
  • 167th – Democrat Kristine Howard (PICK-UP)
  • 175th – Democrat Mary Isaacson (OPEN)
  • 177th – Democrat Joseph Hohenstein (OPEN)(PICK-UP)
  • 178th – Republican Wendi Thomas (PICK-UP)
  • 181st – Democrat Malcolm Kenyatta (OPEN)
  • 184th – Democrat Elizabeth Fiedler (OPEN)
  • 193rd – Republican Torren Ecker (OPEN)
  • 197th – Democrat Danilo Burgos (OPEN)
  • 199th – Republican Barbara Gleim (OPEN)

Analysis

On the national level, it will be interesting to see whether the Democrat Speaker of the House (presumably, Nancy Pelosi) will be able to manage the various factions of the Democrat caucus. As you may recall, Speaker Paul Ryan had the same issues with the Republican caucus. Look for the President, Senate, and House to work together on issues of infrastructure and other smaller initiatives. The big issues of health care, immigration, the deficit, the passage of a budget, and tax cuts will probably not be resolved and be left as issues for the 2020 election.

At the state level, the Governor can pursue large initiatives such as raising the minimum wage, tax increases, pension reform, and other such issues because he will not be on the ballot in four years; however, both chambers of the General Assembly are still controlled by Republicans by comfortable margins, so the Governor’s initiatives will be tempered by a more conservative General Assembly.

RCPA looks forward to our continued working relationship with the Governor, returning members of the General Assembly, and we look forward to meeting and working with the newly elected members.

For all election results from the Pennsylvania Department of State, please check here.

Questions, contact RCPA Director of Government Affairs Jack Phillips.

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E&C #SUBHEALTH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | September 27, 2018
Contact: Press Office | (202) 226-4972

#SubHealth Convenes Hearing Titled “Better Data and Better Outcomes: Reducing Maternal Mortality in the U.S.”

Live Webcast
Click here to watch the hearing beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET.

Opening Statement of Health Subcommittee Chairman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.
Good morning. Thank you to everyone for joining us this morning to discuss a topic that is important to each and every one of us, maternal mortality. This is a subject matter that has been brought to the forefront by Members of this Subcommittee, actions of State Legislatures, and the media. Having spent nearly three decades as an OB/GYN, I believe it should be a national goal to eliminate all preventable maternal mortality – even a single maternal death is too many.

All too often do we read about stories of seemingly healthy pregnant women who are thrilled to be having a child, and to everyone’s surprise, suffers severe complications, or death during pregnancy, birth, or post-partum. The death of a new or expecting mother is a tragic event that devastates everyone involved, but in many cases these are preventable scenarios.
Read more…

Opening Statement of Chairman Greg Walden
Today the Subcommittee on Health is holding a discussion on the critical issue of maternal mortality. In fact, we will examine as issue that is literally a matter of life and death for women all across the country. Thank you, Dr. Burgess, for calling this hearing. As someone with decades of real-world experience as an OB/GYN, you know better than most how important this issue is.

This is a difficult topic, and one that is close to my heart. Far too many mothers die because of complications during pregnancy and the effects of such a tragedy on any family is impossible to comprehend.
Read more…

Witness Testimony and Additional Background 
Click here to view the hearing background memo and witness testimony on the Energy and Commerce Committee website.

# # #

ENERGYCOMMERCE.HOUSE.GOV

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On July 30, 2018, President Trump signed HR 6042 which delays the requirement for personal care service providers to utilize an electronic visit verification (EVV) system. This action changes the deadline by one year, to become effective January 1, 2020. HR 6042 was signed into law in order to delay reduction in the Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for personal care services furnished without an EVV system, and also requires more stakeholder input into the implementation process. For questions, contact Carol Ferenz, RCPA IDD Division Director.

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July 26 marked the 28th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law in 1990 by President George Bush. The White House released the following proclamation:

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 25, 2018

Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 2018
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

On the 28th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we celebrate this historic legislation, which echoed our Nation’s founding promise to recognize and secure the equal rights of all men and women. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to cultivate further opportunities for all Americans to live full and independent lives, and recognize the many contributions enabled by expanded participation of Americans with disabilities in our society.

President George H.W. Bush signed the ADA into law on July 26, 1990. It has transformed the lives of millions of Americans living with disabilities by promoting their equal access to employment, government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and public transportation. Today, people of all ages with disabilities are better able to thrive in the community, pursue careers, contribute to our economy, and fully participate in American society.

Our Nation must continue to build upon this foundation and continue to further the participation of the more than 56 million Americans living with disabilities. My Administration continues to encourage research that will lead to advancements in technology, medicine, and other fields and better enable independent living. We are also expanding and promoting equal education and employment opportunities for Americans with disabilities to live and work. In this regard, in June of last year, I signed an Executive Order to develop more apprenticeship programs for all people, including those with disabilities. Additional training will encourage better involvement from businesses and allow people with disabilities to contribute meaningfully to a wide variety of industries.

As we commemorate the anniversary of the ADA, we recommit ourselves to fostering an environment in which all Americans have the opportunity to pursue the American Dream.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 26, 2018, as a day in celebration of the 28th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities that celebrate the contributions of Americans with disabilities and to renew our commitment to achieving the promise of our freedom for all Americans.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third.

DONALD J. TRUMP

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