February 28, 2011 | Vol. XVI No. 3
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Compromise or Shutdown?
It's the Final Countdown...
The FY2011 budget battle looms large this week as Congressional members return to DC after a week in their home districts. Prior to adjournment for President's Day recess, the House of Representatives advanced deep spending cuts with the passage of H.R. 1. Intended to fund the government for the remainder of FY2011, the measure contains $61 billion in reductions for a myriad of federal programs, including a $1.0 billion reduction to Community Health Centers. The attached chart compares current funding levels, cuts proposed by H.R. 1, and the President's budget proposal for FY2012 for a range of programs important to HCH projects and people experiencing homelessness. |
What Happens Now?
To the Senate: H.R. 1 now goes to the Senate where it will be heavily amended or replaced with an alternative draft. Given that Senate leadership and the President both find the House cuts unacceptable, we anticipate that the Senate's version will contain fewer reductions. Nonetheless, it remains unclear precisely which program cuts will be retained or reversed. Therefore, your continued advocacy is especially important.
Toward a Continuing Resolution: To avoid a government shutdown, an additional Continuing Resolution (CR) is needed. Because the current CR only funds the government through Friday, March 4, there is very little time for lawmakers to forge the compromise needed to arrive at consensus. If a new CR is not passed, the government will shut down at midnight on Friday.
A short-term CR currently is being negotiated by Senate and House leadership. The exact stipulations have not been worked out, but the House proposal of a two-week funding extension with $4 billion in cuts is gaining ground. The proposed cuts are reported to target programs such as earmarks and other areas the President has recommended. These proposed cuts seem to have bipartisan support. Though the emerging consensus is encouraging because it would avoid a government shutdown and not reduce health center funding, the collapse of this compromise remains a very real possibility. |
What Would a Shutdown Mean to HCH Grantees and Clients?
If a shutdown were to happen on March 4, we understand that "essential government functions" would continue, to include SSI, SSDI, and Medicaid payments. HRSA health center funds could be interrupted if the staff needed to process reimbursements are furloughed or the reimbursement account runs out of funds. It is recommended that projects draw down needed resources prior to Friday, March 4. |
TAKE ACTION
Much hangs in the balance this week. By Friday, we will either reach a long-overdue compromise or experience a government shutdown. You can help to underscore the importance of health center funding for families and communities by taking the following actions:
- Call your Senators and Representative. The Congressional switchboard will connect you to their offices: 1-877-210-5351.
- Ask them to reject cuts to health centers (use the materials below to emphasize the jobs that will be lost and the patients who will turn to emergency rooms)
- Urge them to protect health centers in any short- or long-term funding proposals to avoid a government shutdown.
Additional materials for your call:
National HCH Council funding request
National Association of Community Health Center talking points
NACHC impact of cuts state by state |
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Dan Rabbitt, Health Policy Organizer
National Health Care for the Homeless Council
drabbitt@nhchc.org | 443-703-1337 | www.nhchc.org
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HEALTH CARE AND HOUSING ARE HUMAN RIGHTS
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