Legislative Update - July
The Brain Injury Association has requested I post this latest update:
In This Issue:
Appropriations Update
Health Care Reform Update
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The Policy Corner is made possible by the Centre for Neuro Skills, James F. Humphreys and Associates, and Lakeview Healthcare Systems, Inc. Brain Injury Association of America gratefully acknowledges their support for legislative action.
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Appropriations Update
Today, July 17, 2009, the House Appropriations Full Committee acted on legislation that would fund labor, health and education programs for Fiscal Year 2010. The overall numbers for this year's reported bill are as follows:
Bill Total
2009 Comparable: $155.049 billion
President's Request: $160.706 billion
Committee Mark: $160.654 billion
Currently, further details regarding TBI Act and TBI Model Systems of Care funding have not been released, however, look for a special edition of Policy Corner on Monday, July 27, 2009 for a special appropriations report. BIAA will continue to monitor the appropriations process closely and will be sure send out grassroots action instructions when the bill is scheduled for floor action.
Health Care Reform Update
This week the Senate, Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee approved its draft Health Care Reform measure, and the Finance Committee is expected to begin consideration next week.
In the House, the Education and Labor Committee approved its section of the bill (HR 3200) after a very long session lasting through the night on Thursday. The Ways and Means Committee also finished action on its portion of the legislation early Friday, while the Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to continue its proceedings on Monday.
BIAA will continue to monitor the situation closely as the House is hoping to send their bill to the floor before the August recess.