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Federal Update Massachusetts ICC retreat September 23, 2009

Federal Update Massachusetts ICC retreat September 23, 2009. Sharon Walsh, Walsh Taylor Inc Maureen Greer, Emerald Consulting. 1. State Fiscal Reality. 2.

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Federal Update Massachusetts ICC retreat September 23, 2009

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  1. Federal UpdateMassachusetts ICC retreatSeptember 23, 2009 Sharon Walsh, Walsh Taylor Inc Maureen Greer, Emerald Consulting 1

  2. State Fiscal Reality • 2 • At least 27 states have implemented cuts that will restrict low-income children’s or families’ eligibility for health insurance or reduce their access to health care services • At least 24 states plus DC are cutting medical, rehabilitative, home care, or other services needed by low-income people who are elderly or have disabilities, or significantly increasing the cost of these services September 2009

  3. Center for Budget Policy Priorities – www.cpbb.org • 3 • At least 25 states are cutting aid to K-12 schools and early education programs • At least 34 states have cut assistance to public colleges and universities, resulting in reduction in faculty and staff in addition to tuition increases • At least 42 states and the District of Columbia have made cuts affecting state government employees September 2009

  4. Lead Agencies Need SICC Support and Partnership More Than Ever • 4 Challenge to maintain an appropriate balance between quality and compliance in context of major fiscal crisis

  5. Update Topics 5 • Early Childhood Initiative • Healthcare Reform • ARRA Funds • Congressional Activities

  6. Early Childhood Initiative 6

  7. Campaign Policy Position 7 • Expand and Improve Head Start • Expand/create regional training centers • Upgrade teacher compensation and qualifications • Create career lattice • Seamless system of quality control • Fund research to develop programs that serve as a stepping stone to universal preschool

  8. Campaign Policy Position 8 • Expand scope of early childhood to start at birth • Nurse Family Partnership for all first time mothers • Expand Early Head Start from 60,000 to 240,000 • Expand research and program development in the area of infant and early childhood brain development • Expansion and integration of Part C into early childhood efforts

  9. Early Learning Challenge Fund 9 • New Early Childhood appointments in U.S. Departments of Education and HHS • Early Learning Challenge Fund passed by House September 17th by a vote of 253-171 • Included as Title IV of H.R. 3221 The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act • Bill expected in the Senate this Fall • Program will be Jointly administered by Education and HHS • Authorized at $8 Billion for 8 Years • 9

  10. Purposes • 10 To promote standards reform of State programs To establish high standard of quality in programs To fund & implement quality initiatives that improve skills and effectiveness of providers, & improve quality of existing programs, To ensure a greater number of disadvantaged children enter kindergarten with cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills and abilities to be successful in school. To increase parents' abilities to access comprehensive and high quality early learning programs.

  11. Competitive State Grants 11 • Includes 2 different state competitive grants for Birth to Five • Quality Pathways Grants – up to 5 years • Development Grants – up to 3 years • State lead agency established by State • Must coordinate proposed activities with the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care • Must coordinate with Title 1, Head Start, Child Care, Part C and 619 of IDEA • 11

  12. Part C Assurance 12 States applying for a Quality Pathways Grant must include an assurance that the State will continue to participate in Part C of the IDEA for the duration of the grant.

  13. Healthcare Reform 13

  14. President’s PrinciplesSeptember 9, 2009 14 • More Stability and Security • End barriers to coverage with pre-existing medical condition • Limit premium discrimination based on gender and age • Prevent insurance rescission • Cap out of pocket expenses • Eliminate extra charges for preventive care • Protect Medicare for seniors • Eliminate “donut hole” gap in prescription drugs

  15. President’s PrinciplesSeptember 9, 2009 15 • Assure affordable, quality health coverage for all Americans • Create insurance marketplace – The Exchange • Tax credits to individuals and families to help purchase of insurance • Small business tax credits • Public health insurance option • High risk pool until Exchange is created

  16. President’s PrinciplesSeptember 9, 2009 16 • Rein in the Costs of Health Care • No addition to deficit • Requires additional cuts if savings not realized • Implements delivery system reforms that address costs and incentives to improve quality • Commission to identify waste, fraud and abuse • Medical malpractice reform projects • Requires large employers to cover employees • Requires individuals to buy insurance • Hardship exemption

  17. Health Care Reform Process 17 • Senate Finance Committee mark-up is this week • 564 Proposed Amendments • Baucus bill – Gang of 6 - released 9/17 ($856B) • Next step for the Senate –merge HELP and Finance bills • House working this week to merge three versions of the bill • President’s Speech Before Congress 9/9/09 • Major reaction/concern by all sides

  18. Baucus Bill 18 • Creates a minimum health care benefit package • Requires citizens and legal residents to have health insurance • Some exemptions will be granted • Premium credits • Imposes tax on individuals who do not get coverage • Requires businesses with more than 50 employees to provide insurance coverage • Requires businesses with more than 200 employees to automatically enroll them in insurance plans • Temporary high risk Insurance pools until new insurance market rules are in effect

  19. Baucus Bill 19 • Expand Medicaid to all individuals with incomes up to 133% of poverty • Adults between 100-133% FPL have option of Medicaid or federal subsidies through the Exchange • In 2013, expand CHIP eligibility to 250% FPL and enroll them in Exchange programs • Requires states to cover services not included in Exchange plans including EPSDT services as wrap- around benefits • Contains supportive MCH language • Includes $1.5 B for early childhood home visiting programs • Additional needs assessment requirements

  20. Use of ARRA Funds 20

  21. Guiding Principles 21

  22. States Need to be “Shovel Ready” and Avoid “cliff” 22

  23. U.S. Education Secretary Duncan to Governors 23 “Our role is to be a partner and a resource to you as you work to balance your budget…while advancing these essential reforms in our nation’s schools so that every child in America can receive a complete and competitive education – from cradle through career.”

  24. Remember: 24 • Part C received an extra $500 million • MD and NM accessed the optional Part C Birth-kindergarten funds • ARRA funds are treated like all other IDEA funds: • Same Funding Formula; • Same Maintenance of Effort; and • Same Use of Funds.

  25. Use of ARRA Funds – All States 25

  26. Use of ARRA Funds – Health Lead Agencies 26

  27. Use of ARRA Funds – NERRC 27

  28. Comparison Across Categories 28

  29. Other Congressional Activities 29

  30. Funding for FFY’10 • FFY’10 begins Oct 1 and none of the 12 bills are completed - FFY’10 are for July 2010 awards • Continuing Resolution will be necessary probably at current FFY’09 levels • Senator Harkin (IA) and Roberts (KS) introduced Part B Full Funding Bill -S. 1652 • House Part B full funding bill - H.R.3578 by Van Hollen (MD), Platts (PA) and Walz (MN) • Advocacy now for FFY’11 with Administration

  31. 111th Congress • Senator Harkin (IA) has become Chair of Senate HELP Committee • 1st Session likely will work until at least Thanksgiving • 2nd session to begin in January 2010 • November 2010 – Mid-term election of the 112th Congress • January 2011 – 112th Congress Convenes • 31

  32. 111th Congress • SCHIP Reauthorization – Completed • Child Care Block Grant Reauthorization • CAPTA Reauthorization • Developmental Disabilities Act Reauthorization • SAMPSA Reauthorization • Child Nutrition • Ryan White Reauthorization • Institute on Education Sciences Reauthorization

  33. More for the 111th Congress • Seclusion and Restraint - Hearings, Data Collection, Letter from Secretary and Possible Legislation • Bullying – H.R. 2262 – Safe Schools Improvement Act • Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) – Secretary Duncan is beginning a series of meetings this week and planning forums to discuss ESEA proposals • IDEA Reauthorization • 33

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