BIAA UpdateFebruary 2008
Laura Schiebelhut, BIAA Public Affairs Manager asked me to distribute this update:
President Bush signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (H.R. 4986), containing important wounded warrior provisions related to TBI care which BIAA actively lobbied for last year, into law on Monday.
At the same time, negotiations continued over the development of an economic stimulus package, as the House passed its version of the bill, which represents a compromise with the Bush Administration. This House version does not include increases in federal Medicaid payments to states, which BIAA strongly supports. BIAA will continue advocating for the inclusion of provisions to raise Medicaid reimbursement rates to states as Senate negotiations on the package go forward next week.
Looking ahead, President Bush’s Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2009 will be delivered to Congress on Monday, February 4. Unfortunately, early reports are that funding for government health programs will be dramatically decreased by more than $2 billion.
