LIHEAP
Funds Released
On February 22, 2008, the administration announced distribution of $40 million
in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) contingency funds to 11
states. States receiving funds were those in which at least 20% of low-income
families use home heating oil. A total of approximately $120 million in LIHEAP
contingency funding remains available for future use.
The allocations are available at:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/news/press/2008/liheap_allotments_40m.html.
CMS Issues
Host of Final, Proposed Rules
In today's Federal Register, the Centers for Medicare &Medicaid
Services (CMS) published the final rule on Medicaid provider taxes
(CMS-2275-F). The rule implements a provision of the Tax Relief and Health Care
Act of 2006 that lowered the permissible provider tax rate to 5.5% from
January 1, 2008, until October 1, 2011. In addition, the rule revises the
indirect hold harmless threshold and clarifies language regarding permissible
classes of health care services that may be taxed. Provisions of the rule take
effect on April 22, 2008. However, CMS indicates it will not consider a
state to be out of compliance with the revision to the definition of
permissible classes until October 1, 2009.
CMS also issued two new proposed rules implementing provisions of the Deficit
Reduction Act. CMS-2232-P is intended to provide states with the ability to
offer alternative benefit packages called "benchmark plans," design
specific benefit packages that target the needs of different populations and
provide wrap-around and additional benefits.
CMS-2244-P addresses new flexibility granted to states to adjust premiums and
cost-sharing policies for certain populations.
Comments on the benefit-design and cost-sharing regulations are due March 24,
2008.
The State Flexibility in Benefit Packages NPRM can
be viewed at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidGenInfo/Downloads/CMS2232P.pdf.
The Premiums and Cost Sharing NPRM can be viewed at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidGenInfo/Downloads/CMS2244P.pdf.
The provider tax regulation can be viewed at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidGenInfo/Downloads/CMS2275F.pdf.
CMS Publishes
Funding Levels, Deadlines for SHIP Grants
On February 15, 2008, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
released information on the funding levels and deadlines for submitting program
plans and budgets for 2008 State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) Basic and Supplemental Funding Awards. For FY
2008, Congress approved $39.3 billion for SHIPs. The
Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 provided an additional $15
million. The grants fund state efforts to support a network of local programs
to help beneficiaries understand and use their Medicare benefits. Program
narratives and budgets are due April 1, 2008. Additional information is
available at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Partnerships/10_SHIPS.asp.
CRS
Releases Estimates of Administration Medicaid/SCHIP Proposals
Yesterday the Congressional Research Service (CRS) released a report analyzing
the administration's budget proposals for Medicaid and SCHIP (attached).
Merck Settles With Govt Over Medicaid Rebates
In one of the biggest
Congress Clears Stimulus Bill
The Senate yesterday approved an economic stimulus package (H.R. 5140). Senate
changes to the House-passed bill expand
eligibility for tax rebates to include low-income senior citizens, disabled
veterans and survivors of veterans. Following Senate passage, the bill moved
back to the House, where it passed. The bill now goes to the president for his
signature.
House Passes Higher Ed Bill
On Thursday, the House approved the College Opportunity and Affordability Act
(H.R. 4137), which reauthorizes the Higher Education Act (HEA). The House bill includes a "maintenance of effort" (MOE) mandate
on states (see FFIS Issue Brief 07-55). In July, the Senate
approved its version of the reauthorization (S. 1642), which does not include
the mandate. The Higher Education Act extension expires March 31, 2008.
House Approves Mental Health Parity Extension
Thursday, the House passed H.R. 4848, extending for one year the mental health
parity law. The measure would continue the 1996 law (P.L. 104-204) that
prohibits health plans that offer health coverage from establishing different
lifetime or annual dollar limits for mental health treatment than those imposed
for treatment of other illnesses.
New TANF
Final Rule
The Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) final rule, which
implements the statutory changes enacted in TANF reauthorization in the
Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, was published today in the Federal
Register. The link to the 58-page document: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/08-455.pdf.
Since June 29, 2006, state TANF programs have been subject to an interim final
rule. The final rules goes into effect on October 1, 2008, and states can use
the current definitions of maintenance of effort (some MOE definitions are
changed under the final rule) to get credit for the caseload
reduction credit through 2009.
President's
FY 2009 Budget Released
The president's
budget for FY 2009 was released today. The attached chart shows its impact
on major grant programs of interest to state and local governments.
DHS Announces Application Guidance
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced
the release of application guidance for 14 federal grant programs, as well
as an overview
and fact sheet.
Senate
Stimulus Vote Moved to Next Week
Senator Reid announced last night that the Senate will not vote on a
stimulus package until next week. The Senate is expected to take up a
series of amendments including the Senate Finance Committee plan; an proposal that includes funding for unemployment benefits,
mortgage revenue bonds and food stamps; an amendment to expand heating and
cooling assistance and a vote to extend rebates to low-income seniors and
disabled veterans.
Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Transportation Commission Report
Yesterday, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee heard testimony
from the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission.
The Commission recommends reducing the number of programs in the federal
surface transportation bill to 10 (from approximately 108 currently
authorized). It also recommends new revenue, including a gas tax increase,
increased tolling, congestion pricing and other user-related fees.
Senators to Seek Emergency Funding for Byrne Grants
Yesterday, a bipartisan group of senators said they would seek $660 million to
fund the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement grants program,
possibly through a FY 2008 emergency war spending bill, which is expected in
March. The Byrne grant program was cut by 67% in the FY 2008 omnibus
appropriations bill, from $520 million to $170 million.