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Deficit Issue Remains Unresolved; House and Senate Currently Pushing Separate Plans
With the potential of a national credit downgrade and default occurring as early as August 2, Congress and President Obama remain sharply divided over proposals to reduce the national debt. Currently, Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) are pushing through two separate deficit plans - neither of which are expected to pass in the other chamber. Last night, Speaker Boehner failed to solicit enough support from the Republican caucus to pass his bill and subsequently delayed a highly-anticipated vote. House leadership will continue soliciting support today; the outcome is uncertain. Majority Leader Reid indicated that the Senate will wait until the House completes its work before pursuing a course of action.
Boehner's plan would raise the debt ceiling by $900 billion - a level offset by $915 billion in spending cuts over 10 years. Most of these savings would be achieved from caps placed on discretionary spending, including health programs. Reid's plan would raise the debt ceiling by $2.2 trillion while calling for an equal amount in spending cuts. Reid's "cuts" include discretionary spending caps and the assumption of reduced future war expenditures in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Given the political stalemate, it remains unknown when final deal will be reached, what it will encompass, and how medical professions will be affected. APA continues to monitor developments closely and will provide updates when warranted. |
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APA Comments on Community Mental Health Center CoPs
The APA has filed a regulatory comment with CMS expressing its support for the six conditions of participation CMS proposes to require for community mental health centers (CMHCs) providing partial hospitalization services under Medicare. This marks the first time any standardized conditions of participation have been proposed across the board for CMHCs. The APA commends CMS for proposing minimum standards all CMHCs being reimbursed under Medicare must achieve. These standards promote the well-being of patients receiving health care services through CMHCs. Click here to read the comments. |
Senate Bills to Combat Stimulants
On July 28, the Senate Judiciary Committee 'reported out' three measures to combat the manufacture and sale of stimulants. S.409, Combating Dangerous Synthetic Stimulants Act of 2011, S.605, Dangerous Synthetic Drug Control Act of 2011 and S.839, Combating Designer Drugs Act of 2011. These measures are intended to curb the synthetic stimulants market (bath salts and carbonated beverages) by classifying derivatives of certain chemicals as Schedule I drugs and therefore under the purview of the DEA. Almost all federal legislation is at a stand-still until budget and appropriations matters are resolved. When the full Senate is ready to act on each bill, DGR will advise. |
House VA Bills in Subcommittee
In the House Veterans Affairs Health Subcommittee this week, two bills were advanced to improve care and access to treatment. H.R. 1855, the "Veterans' Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitative Services' Improvements Act of 2011", introduced by Rep. Tim Walz (MN) and H.R. 2074, the "Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention Act", introduced by Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle (NY). Both measures were in response to recent General Accountability Office reports detailing methods to address issues in the VA particularly during the transition period from active duty DOD medical coverage to discharged VA care. |
