The new Biden Administration arrived in the nation’s capital with ambitious plans to work cooperatively with Congress in dealing with the many problems associated with the coronavirus pandemic. The president’s American Rescue Plan is a centerpiece of that effort. Major committees on Capitol Hill have responded positively and have begun to set in motion legislation to achieve several important objectives aimed at combining individual bills into a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, which the House Budget Committee “marked up” and passed today, combining the individual Committee proposals into a single reconciliation bill that will be taken up on the House floor at the end of the week, with enactment expected in mid-March.
As described in the previous issue of this newsletter, reconciliation legislation is a fast-track process that can be passed by a simple majority without having to be filibustered in the Senate. Some limitations exist in this approach because budget reconciliation cannot be used for any and all federal legislation. Instead, bills must contain provisions that affect revenue and spending, with no extraneous items allowed, according to a restriction known as the “Byrd Rule.”
The House Education and Labor Committee’s portion of the reconciliation bill provides $170 billion to K-12 and postsecondary education, with $40 billion dedicated to higher education to make necessary COVID related improvements on campus and provide additional student supports. Funding will be provided to institutions via the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) created in the CARES Act
The House Energy and Commerce Committee bill includes more than $46 billion for COVID-19 national testing efforts and $20 billion to improve vaccine distribution. Additional funds will be used to incentivize states to expand their Medicaid programs, allow new mothers to stay on the program for up to a year, and eliminate a cap on Medicaid drug rebates beginning in 2023.
House Ways and Means Committee legislation has features that include capping the cost of coverage in the individual health insurance market through increasing Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits for 2021 and 2022. ACA plans would be available at no cost for individuals making up to 150% of the federal poverty level and also for unemployment insurance beneficiaries. The bill includes additional direct payments of $1,400 to individuals and an extension of temporary federal unemployment benefits.
Proposed legislation by the House Oversight and Reform Committee provides $340 billion to state and local government jurisdictions. Aid would be split with states receiving 60% of funding and localities obtaining the other 40%. This funding can be utilized for a host of different COVID related needs as determined by state and local officials, including further assistance to postsecondary institutions.
The House Small Business Committee would add $7.25 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and also create a new program to support the restaurant industry.
The Senate is expected to take up the House passed bill next week, with the House’s increase of the federal minimum wage to $15 in 2025 the item most at risk of being eliminated. In separate news, the important Senate Committee on Health, Education Labor & Pensions will have Patty Murray (D-WA) serve as chairperson and Richard Burr (R-NC) as ranking member.
More February 2021 TRENDS Articles
PALIMSEST
Discusses how this term can be viewed metaphorically in considering how topics are updated and revised in successive issues of the newsletter TRENDS. Read More
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN AND COVID-19
Lists how separate components of various congressional bills are combined into overall reconciliation legislation. Read More
HEALTH REFORM DEVELOPMENTS
Looks at how an incoming new Administration goes about reversing policies established by the previous set of office holders. Read More
DEVELOPMENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Points out some ramifications associated with making it free to attend public institutions, reduce student debt, and control the spread of coronavirus on campus. Read More
QUICK STAT (SHORT, TIMELY, AND TOPICAL)
Sexual Orientation Disparities In Risk Factors For Adverse COVID-19-Related Outcomes
Instant Death More Common In Absence Of Physical Exercise
Identifying Candidates For Drug Repurposing For SARS-CoV-2
Affordable CRISPR App Reveals Unintended Mutations At Site Of CRISPR Gene Repair Read More
OBTAINABLE RESOURCES
Voluntary Support Of Education
National Healthcare Quality And Disparities Report
50-State Survey Of Telehealth Commercial Insurance Laws Read More
THE PRODOME: DIAGNOSIS, DISADVANTAGE, AND BIOMEDICAL AMBIGUITY
Examines how the prodome as an emerging phase of illness can create problems for patients, their families, and health care institutions. Read More
IMPLICATIONS OF GENETIC TESTING FOR SUICIDE RISK
Pertains to a discussion regarding the possibility that polygenic risk scores eventually may be used regarding suicide death and some concerns once any product is commercialized and marketed directly to consumers. Read More