109th Congress, 1st Session (September 2005)
The 109th Congress has had a remarkable session so far this year. Both houses agreed on a budget resolution—the first time in three years and on time too—paving the way for a speedier appropriations process. In June, the House passed the appropriations bill for Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (HR 3010). In July, the Senate passed a bill out of committee. After recess, the full Senate must vote on the bill, and then Congress must convene a conference committee comprised of representatives from both houses to iron out the differences in the two versions. A final version must then be introduced and passed by both houses before going to the President (see DC Insider appropriations dejargonator: http://apiahf.org/policy/oped/ij050324.htm)
W ork continues on the many reauthorization bills due this year. However, only a few bills have actually been introduced or even drafted as of the August recess. The Senate agenda for the fall will likely be taken up by the Supreme Court nomination, which will create a bottleneck for any legislation coming from the House. This makes reauthorizations unlikely this session.
Below is a summary of Congressional action for January through July 2005. Congress is scheduled to reconvene on September 6, 2005, the day after Labor Day.
APPROPRIATIONS (HR 3010)
Annual appropriations bills set the spending levels for all government programs. Spending for health and related programs is contained in the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education-and Related Agencies bill (HR 3010). The budget resolution passed in April requires $10 billion in cuts over 5 years in this bill. The administration and many lawmakers have decided that this $10 billion will have to come from Medicaid. The budget resolution also created a commission to make recommendations on how to cut that $10 billion. HHS Secretary Leavitt decided to name the commission himself rather than turn it over to the Institute of Medicine as some Republican lawmakers had requested (see DHHS press release). By September 1, the commission will outline recommendations to Congress for Medicaid to achieve $10 billion in reductions in spending growth during the next five years as well as ways to begin meaningful long-term enhancements that can better serve beneficiaries. A full copy of the commission's charter is available at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/faca/mc/default.asp.
REAUTHORIZATIONS
Authorizing legislation creates government programs with a suggested funding level for a specific period of time (i.e., “authorization of appropriations as appropriate for fiscal years 2006-2010”). Several government programs are due or overdue for reauthorization. Programs can continue to exist after the authorization expires as long as the President provides funding in his budget and Congress approves that funding. Below are reauthorizations that are on the table for the 109 th Congress.
- National Institutes of Health
- Ryan White CARE Act
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Violence Against Women Act
- National Higher Education Act
NEW PROGRAMS
For questions or feedback, email Gem P. Daus at gdaus@apiahf.org
