LSA Washington – March 9, 2009

A regular publication from the LSA Public Policy Office

Allocation of Recovery Funds Underway

Now is the time to be in conversation with your state agencies and governor's office about implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the "recovery" or "stimulus" package). Federal agencies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), have started announcing the allocation of funds for some programs addressed in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Governors and state agencies will be instrumental in disbursing funding as it is received by the federal government.

ARRA funds released thus far by HHS include $155 million for health clinics and $15 billion in Medicaid funding. HUD has allocated more than 75 percent of their designated funding through the ARRA, including $1 billion for the community development block grant; $1.5 billion for the emergency shelter grant program for homelessness prevention; and $2 billion for project-based rental assistance to be used for project improvements by owners.

HUD and HHS have both set up pages on their websites dedicated to information about the implementation of their funding through ARRA, including information about funding by state. Overall information about the recovery package can be found at www.recovery.gov.

For information on funding for LSA public policy priority issues in the ARRA, please see the February 16 issue of LSA Washington.

--Lisa Hassenstab

LSA Eyes Proposed Itemized Deductions Cap in FY10 Budget

In an effort to identify funding for a 10-year effort on health care reform, the Obama administration proposed a cap on itemized deductions as part of its fiscal year 2010 budget outline. The proposal would institute a cap for itemized deductions of 28 cents on the dollar for those making more than $250,000 a year; the current allowance is 35 cents on the dollar.

The Center for Budget and Policy Priorites has issued a statement on this issue, with analysis showing this cap would impact only those making more than $250,000 a year, about 1.2 percent of the population. The impact on charitable giving is estimated to be a 1.3 percent decrease.

The itemized deduction cap has received scrutiny by nonprofits and lawmakers alike. Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), chair of the Senate Finance Committee, questioned Treasury Secretary Timothy Geitner about the cap in a hearing on March 4, encouraging the Administration to find alternate funding sources. LSA will continue to keep an eye on this important issue and keep LSA members appraised of its status and potential impact.

--Lisa Hassenstab

President Obama Nominates HHS Secretary, Health Reform Director

On March 2 President Obama nominated Kathleen Sebelius, governor of Kansas, as Health and Human Services Secretary. He also nominated Nancy-Ann DeParle, a health policy leader during the Clinton administration, to head the White House Office for Health Reform. Governor Sebelius must be confirmed by the Senate while Ms. DeParle does not. Both women will focus on health care reform, a priority of the Administration and of Congress.

Governor Sebelius is known as an experienced public official who works across party lines. Ms. Sebelius has a strong background in health care reform, focusing on Medicaid as Governor and serving two terms as the Kansas Insurance Commissioner.

Ms. DeParle is an expert on health care, directing the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), now the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). She also serves as a Commissioner on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), which advises Congress on Medicare payment and policy issues.

--Lisa Carr

LSA Members, Congress and Administration Focus on Health Care Reform

There was much focus on health care reform last week as LSA members advocated for long-term services and supports, the Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing on the issue, and the Administration held a summit on health care reform. Thank you to the many of you who participated in the March 3 national call-in day to ensure that long-term services and supports are included in health care reform. We heard that the phone lines were busy with many calling, engaging their management teams, board and staff in advocating. Your advocacy was successful, with Senate Special Committee on Aging Chair, Herb Kohl (D-WI), agreeing that health care reform must include long-term supports and services. To read Senator Kohl’s press statement on this issue, click here.

On Thursday, March 5, President Obama held a White House Summit on Health Care Reform. The Summit included 150 participants, from colleague organizations such as the Catholic Health Association to consumers impacted by the lack of health care. The Administration is giving Congress one mandate, universal coverage, with much latitude in how to reach this goal. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus (D-MT) is committed to complete health care reform by August while President Obama is committed to complete the reform by the end of this calendar year. More information about the Administration’s work on health care reform can be found at www.healthreform.gov.

--Lisa Carr

LSA-DN Public Policy Update

Thank you to all who participated in the March 3 national call-in day to ensure that long-term services and supports are included in health care reform. On Thursday, March 5, President Obama held a White House forum on health care reform. During a televised discussion panel, an LSA-DN national coalition partner articulated the message that health care reform must include long-term services and supports. Panel participants included Senators, U.S. Representatives and members of the Obama Administration. For more information about health care reform, please visit www.healthreform.gov. To learn more about LSA-DN's public policy priorities for health care reform and the latest legislative activity in Washington, D.C., please register for the LSA-DN public policy update conference call on March 26 at 3:00 p.m. ET. For continuous updates on LSA-DN's priorities, please sign up for LSA-DN's e-advocacy website, www.lsadnadvocacy.org.

--Heather Ansley

Advocacy Resource of the Week

Congress will be on spring recess from April 6 through April 17, so now is a great time to schedule an in-district meeting or a site visit with your members of Congress! At a meeting on Capitol Hill last month, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) reminded a roomful of advocates that  while a meeting with your elected officials in DC is always great, an in-district meeting often allows for more time for conversation. As well, elected officials are always looking for opportunities to engage in their communities when they're in their districts, so why not invite them to join you for a site visit? You can find tips on planning a site visit on LSA's website, and LSA public policy staff are happy to offer tips and issue information for your in-district visits.

LSA Annual Conference Corner

Heading to the LSA Annual Conference and want a refresher on how to do Hill visits and what's happening with LSA's public policy priorities? The LSA public policy staff will be hosting two learning sessions on Wednesday, April 29; from 9:45 to 10:45 am we'll be offering advise on how to have a successful visit with your elected officials and their staff during your Hill visits, and from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm we will be holding an issues briefing to get you up to speed on the newest information before you head off to the Hill. Not registered for the conference yet? Registration is quick and easy online!

Upcoming LSA Public Policy Conference Calls

Please join the LSA public policy team and featured speakers for a series of conference calls on LSA's priority issues. To RSVP for the calls, please e-mail the LSA DC office.