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March 18, 2024 | Vol. MMXXIII | Issue 87
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Budget and Appropriations
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On March 1st, President Biden signed the Extension of Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act (H.R. 7463). The continuing resolution extended funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. The Agriculture, Military Construction/VA, Energy/Water, and Transportation/Housing and Urban Development bills were extended through March 8th. The Labor/Health/Human Services/Education (LHHS), Defense, State/Foreign Operations, Commerce/Justice/Science, Financial Services, Interior/Environment, Legislative Branch, and Homeland Security bills were extended through March 22nd. The first set of bills were signed into law by President Biden by the deadline and the second set of bills are continuing to be negotiated.
While FY 2024 is still being completed, the process for FY 2025 has begun. Following the State of the Union, President Biden released his FY 2025 budget. Many programs that provide direct services to people with disabilities, such as Medicaid’s Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) and special education were proposed to get
increases. The Budget proposes to invest $150 billion over ten years for HCBS and proposes to provide $14.4 billion for special education. The budget also proposes to level fund many other programs for people with disabilities including the programs under the Developmental Disabilities and Bill of Rights Act, including the University Centers for Excellence at $43 million and the Autism and Developmental Disabilities program (that includes the Leadership in Education and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program) at $56 million.
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Plain Language
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Congress is working to finish writing the bills about the budget before they expire in March to fund the government for the rest of this year. Congress has also already begun work to fund the government for next year, FY 2025. The President has released his FY 2025 budget.
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Action Steps
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Call and educate your Members of Congress on the importance of passing the appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2024 by the deadlines. You can reach your Members of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.
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House of Representatives Introduces the Health Equity for People with Disabilities Act
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On February 29th, Representative Payne (D-NJ-10) and Representative Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1) introduced the Health Equity for People with Disabilities Act (H.R. 7503). The bill will amend the
Public Health Services Act to ensure community health centers serve people with disabilities within the existing medically underserved groups and medically underserved areas. The bill provides community health centers with quality improvement grants to reduce barriers to healthcare for people with disabilities by improving staff skills and ensuring accessibility of medical equipment. The bill was previously introduced by Senator Casey in the Senate on April 19th, 2023 (S. 1219).
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Plain Language
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On February 29th, Representative Payne (D-NJ-10) and Representative Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1) introduced the Health Equity for People with Disabilities Act (H.R. 7503). This bill would give money to health
centers that see patients with disabilities. Senator Casey introduced this bill in the Senate on April 19th, 2023 (S. 1219).
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Action Steps
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Read the bill text. Call and educate your Members of Congress on the importance of providing grants to health centers that provide care to people with disabilities. You can reach your Members of
Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.
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House of Representatives Introduces the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
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On February 29th, Senator Durbin with 49 Democratic and Independent co-sponsors introduced the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (S. 4). The bill will restore and enhance previous protections that were promised in the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The bill also provides protections for people with disabilities, ensuring that they do not face discrimination when voting. Representative Sewell (D-AL-7) with 215 Democratic co-sponsors introduced the bill (H.R. 14) in the House of Representatives on September 19th.
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Plain Language
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On February 29th, Senator Durbin (D-IL) introduced the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (S. 4). The bill will make sure that every person who is allowed to vote is able to cast their ballot for local, state, and federal elections. The bill includes protections for people with disabilities so that polling places are accessible. Representative Sewell (D-AL-7) introduced the bill in the House of Representatives on September 19th (H.R. 14).
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Action Steps
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Read this announcement from the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Read the bill text. Call and educate your Representatives on the importance of ensuring everyone can vote in elections. You can reach your Members of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.
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Reminder: U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Ensure People Who Use Wheelchairs Can Travel Safely on Airplanes
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On February 29th, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary, Pete Buttigieg, announced a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would “ensure airline passengers who use
wheelchairs can travel safely and with dignity.” The NPRM would set new standards for prompt, safe, and dignified assistance, mandate enhanced training for airline employees and contractors who physically assist passengers with disabilities and handle passengers’ wheelchairs and specify actions that airlines must take to protect passengers when a wheelchair is damaged during transport. DOT is accepting comments until April 28th.
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Plain Language
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On February 29th, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced possible new rules that would make sure wheelchair users are safe when travelling on airplanes. Comments are being accepted on this rule until April 28th.
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Action Steps
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Read the announcement from DOT. Read more about the NPRM and submit comments. You can submit comments until April 28th.
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Register for the White House Office of Public Engagement Aging and Disability Communities Call
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The White House Office of Public Engagement regularly hosts calls to discuss any federal updates that will affect the older adults and people with disabilities. The next call is March 21st, at 2:00 pm EST. Register.
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Check out the latest episode of Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy for All
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"Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy for All" is a YouTube video series highlighting current issues and hot topics in disability policy. Past guests of Tuesdays with Liz include US Senators and Representatives, AUCD’s President Elect, and key members of the disability community.
Liz Weintraub is AUCD's Senior Advocacy Specialist and the host of "Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy for All."
Liz has extensive experience practicing leadership in self advocacy and has held many board and advisory positions at state and national organizations, including the Council on Quality & Leadership (CQL) and the Maryland Development Disabilities Council.
Find the full playlist on YouTube or check out the latest episode featuring the U.S. Department of Transportation's Disability Policy Advisor, Kelly Buckland.
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