Legislative Update
The House of Representatives returned to session this week, and promptly voted to pass a revised version of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (H.R. 4986) to replace the version (H.R. 1585) vetoed by President Bush late last month. Important wounded warrior provisions related to TBI care remain unchanged in the new version, which is expected to be enacted into law shortly.
In addition, President Bush this week approved $3.7 billion in emergency funding for veterans health care which was deemed “contingency” spending in the fiscal 2008 omnibus appropriations bill passed in December.
Also this week, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held its first hearing of the year focused on the critical importance of Medicaid as a source of health care, including long-term care, for Americans with disabilities.
Looking ahead, both chambers will observe the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday. The Senate will return to session on Tuesday, along with the House, but the House is then expected to be out on Thursday and Friday due to an annual Democratic policy retreat.
Stay tuned for upcoming BIAA News Flashes detailing ongoing efforts to urge the House to take up TBI Act reauthorization legislation.
