From the Officers and Staff of CCAP

Dear  

Congressional budget negotiators reached a budget deal on Dec. 10, setting overall federal spending for FY 2014 at $1.012 trillion, up from the $967 billion level that would have been required if sequestration spending cuts were imposed in January. The proposal also sets FY 2015 levels at $1.014 trillion. The deal averts another government shutdown on Jan. 15, when the stopgap measure adopted in October was scheduled to run out. The U.S. House approved the agreement on Dec. 12 on a 332-94 vote, and the Senate is expected to vote the week of Dec. 16.

On Dec. 7, the administration published in the PA Bulletin a proposal for requesting a federal waiver from Medicaid rules that embodies Gov. Corbett's Healthy Pennsylvania proposal for expanding health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act. A waiver is needed because the proposal would use federal funds to purchase private health insurance for qualified individuals, rather than expand eligibility for Medicaid, and therefore requires approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. A detailed description of the service packages that will be available is included in the proposal, such as the creation of a tiered approach based on need, inclusion of a co-payment, and a work search requirement. The proposal also preserves benefits for most vulnerable populations, including those with disabilities.

A public comment period is open for 30 days, and six statewide public hearings have been scheduled during the same time, as well as two webinars on Dec. 16 and Jan. 8. The full schedule of hearings and registration details can be viewed at www.dpw.state.pa.us/healthypa. Based on comments received, the state will develop and submit a final waiver application to the federal government, which will in turn review it to ensure all waiver requirements are met and publish the proposal for a 30-day public comment period on the Medicaid.gov website. 

The House Human Services Committee amended and reported a bill on Dec. 10 establishing standards for recovery housing for individuals with drug and alcohol problems, which are intended to offer a stable living environment when such an environment does not exist in the community.

The House Consumer Affairs Committee recently held two hearings on HB 1608, legislation introduced by Rep. Warren Kampf (R-Chester) that would relax the regulatory framework on traditional telephone utilities.

At the Dec. 12 hearing, Barry Hutchins, with the Lycoming County Department of Public Safety, shared his support for creation of a more competitive market, but noted all Pennsylvanians must continue to have fair and unimpeded access to E-911 services at current levels of reliability. In addition, Hutchins suggested that exchanges be mapped to allow the impact on 911 centers and public safety access points to be more easily evaluated.