[Nfbkabs] FW: AUCD Legislative News In Brief
Shannon Caldwell
sjgc at mis.net
Mon Oct 15 17:05:38 CDT 2007
FYI
Please act as you see fit.
Shannon Caldwell
Legislative Liaison Officer NFBKL
-----Original Message-----
From: HDI Consumer Advisory Council [mailto:HDI-ADVISORY-BOARD at LSV.UKY.EDU]
On Behalf Of Kleinert, Harold
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2007 4:51 PM
To: HDI-ADVISORY-BOARD at LSV.UKY.EDU
Subject: FW: AUCD Legislative News In Brief
Dear Consumer Advisory Council Members:
For your information - please act as you see fit, given the critical issues
for people with disabilities and their families under current consideration.
Harold
From: Joe Caldwell [mailto:jcaldwell at AUCD.ORG]
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2007 4:25 PM
To: AUCD1; LDT; List - coca
Subject: AUCD Legislative News In Brief
*AUCD Legislative News In Brief
October 15, 2007
Vol. VII, Issue 38
Congressional Schedule
The Senate is back following a week-long Columbus Day recess. The Senate
plans to take up the FY 08 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education
appropriations bill later this week. House leaders also hope to override
the President's recent veto of the bill to reauthorize and expand the State
Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). House and Senate leaders
report plans to send all 12 annual appropriations bills to the President by
Nov. 16. However, most Hill staff acknowledge that the President's veto
threats will make that deadline difficult and that Congress will likely
remain in session until just before the Christmas holiday.
Appropriations
The Senate is expected to take up the Labor, Health and Human Services and
Education (L-HHS-ED) appropriations bill this week. The full House has
already passed their version. Appropriations staff are already trying to
work out the differences between the two bills so that they can quickly
conference the two bills and send it to the President. There is much at
stake for people with disabilities in the outcome of this year's
appropriations process. The House and Senate bills contain some small but
important increases for programs that support our mission of full
integration of people with disabilities. If our community cannot pull
together and help educate Congress and the President about the need for this
funding, many programs could see level funding or significant cuts.
President Bush continues to threaten to veto the bill because it provides
$11 billion more than the Administration's proposed budget.
AUCD signed onto a large stakeholder coalition letter to the Senate urging
Senators to pass the bill. The letter states that the President's misplaced
priorities in his FY 08 budget request continues or deepens cuts for most of
the programs in the Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations bill. The FY
06 L-HHS-ED appropriations bill was cut by $1.6 billion. Congress worked to
restore some of those cuts in the FY 07 budget resolution but many programs
still remain far below their FY 2005 level, and others lost all funding.
AUCD will be sending an alert to the Network this week regarding action
needed to help ensure adequate funding in the final L-HHS-ED appropriations
bill.
SCHIP
Congress will attempt to override the Presidential veto of the SCHIP
reauthorization bill this week. It requires a 2/3 majority in both the
House and Senate to override a veto. The House is scheduled to vote this
Thursday. The vote is expected to be very close. Democratic leaders in the
House say they need 15 Republicans who voted against the bill, in addition
to the 45 who supported it. You can see how your Representative previously
voted on final passage of the children's health bill at the following link:
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll906.xml
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=7iDlpVEs24IwFEYvzm92
PfDMfAGq%2BQW%2F> . AUCD sent out an Action Alert last week that included
key targets: http://www.aucd.org/template/capwiz.cfm. The Coalition on
Human Needs is sponsoring a call-in day on Tuesday. Individuals can call
the Capitol Switchboard toll-free at 1-800-965-4701 and urge their
Representatives to vote for the SCHIP bill.
No Child Left Behind
The House continues to work on legislation to reauthorize the No Child Left
Behind Act. Last month AUCD signed onto comments prepared by the CCD
Education Task Force on the House Education and Labor Committee's initial
draft: http://www.aucd.org/template/page.cfm?id=491. CCD has become
increasingly concerned about potential attempts to further exclude
individuals with disabilities from assessments or attempts to use the IEP as
an accountability measure. Last week, AUCD signed onto a CCD letter to the
Committee strongly opposing the use of IEPs as a measure of student progress
in NCLB. CCD also visited members of the Committee to educate them about
the contents of IEPs and why they are not designed as appropriate measures
for NCLB. CCD remains very concerned about the possibility of this issue
being offered as an amendment down the road when the bill is introduced and
marked up.
Mental Health Parity
Last week the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee approved mental
health parity legislation, H.R. 1424. The bill is scheduled for
consideration by the full committee tomorrow. The House Education and Labor
Committee approved the measure in July and the Ways and Means Committee
approved it in September. The Health Subcommittee markup mirrored those in
the two other House committees that have considered the bill sponsored by
Representatives Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Jim Ramstad (R-MN). Republicans
tried unsuccessfully to substitute the House bill with language that passed
the Senate last month. That bill is sponsored by Senate Health, Education,
Labor and Pensions Chairman Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Senator Pete Domenici
(R-NM). Both bills aim to require most health insurance companies to cover
mental health and substance abuse disorders on par with medical and surgical
benefits.
New Hampshire Disability Presidential Candidate Forum
AUCD is co-sponsoring a presidential candidate forum on disability issues
along with over 20 other national disability organizations:
http://www.aucd.org/docs/events/pres_primary07.pdf. The forum will take
place November 2 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Approximately 700
individuals with disabilities, family members, and other New Hampshire
voters are expected to attend. The event will also be nationally webcasted
live. Disability organizations in states, particularly the other early
primary states (Iowa, South Carolina, and Nevada), are being encouraged to
organize viewing events. AUCD has submitted questions for the candidates on
issues including disability research, training, autism services, transition
and post-secondary education, and family support. Each candidate will
receive a block of time to discuss their vision of national disability
possibility and answer questions. Democratic and Republican leaders will
also provide keynote speeches. So far, Senator Dodd is the only candidate
who has committed to attend the forum. Last week, AUCD contacted every
campaign and sent personal invitations to all Democratic and Republican
presidential candidates.
AUCD 2008 Public Policy Fellowship
AUCD is accepting applications for the 2008 AUCD Leadership Fellowship in
Disability. The fellowship offers a significant experience in national
level activities related to policy and legislative development, advocacy,
program development, technical assistance, and association administration.
Applications are due October 26 but will continue to be accepted until the
position is filled. The fellowship is expected to begin in January of 2008,
but earlier start dates are possible. For more information:
http://www.aucd.org/template/opportunity.cfm?opportunity_id=145
<http://www.aucd.org/template/opportunity.cfm?opportunity_id=145&id=158&pare
nt=158> &id=158&parent=158
AUCD Legislative Affairs Committee
The Legislative Affairs Committee will meet at the upcoming Annual Meeting
on Sunday, Nov. 11 at 5:30 p.m. The Committee will also host a briefing for
all members on current federal legislative issues. The briefing is
tentatively scheduled for Monday, Nov. 12 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Watch for
updates on these events in upcoming issues of In Brief.
For copies of this and previous issues of Legislative News In Brief please
visit the Public Policy Page of the AUCD website:
http://www.aucd.org/template/page.cfm?id=27
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AUCD Legislative News In Brief
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FYI
Please act as you see fit.
Shannon Caldwell
Legislative Liaison Officer NFBKL
-----Original Message-----
From:
HDI Consumer Advisory Council [mailto:HDI-ADVISORY-BOARD at LSV.UKY.EDU]
On Behalf Of
Kleinert, Harold
Sent:
Monday, October 15, 2007 4:51 PM
To:
HDI-ADVISORY-BOARD at LSV.UKY.EDU
Subject:
FW: AUCD Legislative News In Brief
Dear Consumer Advisory Council Members:
For your information – please act as you see fit, given the critical issues for people with disabilities and their families under current consideration.
Harold
From:
Joe Caldwell [mailto:jcaldwell at AUCD.ORG]
Sent:
Monday, October 15, 2007
4:25 PM
To:
AUCD1; LDT; List - coca
Subject:
AUCD Legislative News In Brief
cid:image001.gif at 01C80F55.EDF8EE10 AUCD Legislative News
In Brief
October 15, 2007
Vol. VII, Issue 38
Congressional Schedule
The Senate is back following a week-long Columbus Day recess. The Senate plans to take up the FY 08 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bill later this week. House leaders also hope to override the President’s recent veto of the bill to reauthorize and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). House and Senate leaders report plans to send all 12 annual appropriations bills to the President by Nov. 16. However, most Hill staff acknowledge that the President’s veto threats will make that deadline difficult and that Congress will likely remain in session until just before the Christmas holiday.
Appropriations
The Senate is expected to take up the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (L-HHS-ED) appropriations bill this week. The full House has already passed their version. Appropriations staff are already trying to work out the differences between the two bills so that they can quickly conference the two bills and send it to the President. There is much at stake for people with disabilities in the outcome of this year’s appropriations process. The House and Senate bills contain some small but important increases for programs that support our mission of full integration of people with disabilities. If our community cannot pull together and help educate Congress and the President about the need for this funding, many programs could see level funding or significant cuts. President Bush continues to threaten to veto the bill because it provides $11 billion more than the Administration’s proposed budget.
AUCD signed onto a large stakeholder coalition letter to the Senate urging Senators to pass the bill. The letter states that the President’s misplaced priorities in his FY 08 budget request continues or deepens cuts for most of the programs in the Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations bill. The FY 06 L-HHS-ED appropriations bill was cut by $1.6 billion. Congress worked to restore some of those cuts in the FY 07 budget resolution but many programs still remain far below their FY 2005 level, and others lost all funding. AUCD will be sending an alert to the Network this week regarding action needed to help ensure adequate funding in the final L-HHS-ED appropriations bill.
SCHIP
Congress will attempt to override the Presidential veto of the SCHIP reauthorization bill this week. It requires a 2/3 majority in both the House and Senate to override a veto. The House is scheduled to vote this Thursday. The vote is expected to be very close. Democratic leaders in the House say they need 15 Republicans who voted against the bill, in addition to the 45 who supported it. You can see how your Representative previously voted on final passage of the children's health bill at the following link: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=7iDlpVEs24IwFEYvzm92PfDMfAGq%2BQW%2F http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll906.xml
. AUCD sent out an Action Alert last week that included key targets: http://www.aucd.org/template/capwiz.cfm http://www.aucd.org/template/capwiz.cfm
. The Coalition on Human Needs is sponsoring a call-in day on Tuesday. Individuals can call the Capitol Switchboard toll-free at 1-800-965-4701 and urge their Representatives to vote for the SCHIP bill.
No Child Left Behind
The House continues to work on legislation to reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act. Last month AUCD signed onto comments prepared by the CCD Education Task Force on the House Education and Labor Committee’s initial draft: http://www.aucd.org/template/page.cfm?id=491 http://www.aucd.org/template/page.cfm?id=491
. CCD has become increasingly concerned about potential attempts to further exclude individuals with disabilities from assessments or attempts to use the IEP as an accountability measure. Last week, AUCD signed onto a CCD letter to the Committee strongly opposing the use of IEPs as a measure of student progress in NCLB. CCD also visited members of the Committee to educate them about the contents of IEPs and why they are not designed as appropriate measures for NCLB. CCD remains very concerned about the possibility of this issue being offered as an amendment down the road when the bill is introduced and marked up.
Mental Health Parity
Last week the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee approved mental health parity legislation, H.R. 1424. The bill is scheduled for consideration by the full committee tomorrow. The House Education and Labor Committee approved the measure in July and the Ways and Means Committee approved it in September. The Health Subcommittee markup mirrored those in the two other House committees that have considered the bill sponsored by Representatives Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Jim Ramstad (R-MN). Republicans tried unsuccessfully to substitute the House bill with language that passed the Senate last month. That bill is sponsored by Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chairman Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM). Both bills aim to require most health insurance companies to cover mental health and substance abuse disorders on par with medical and surgical benefits.
New Hampshire Disability Presidential Candidate Forum
AUCD is co-sponsoring a presidential candidate forum on disability issues along with over 20 other national disability organizations: http://www.aucd.org/docs/events/pres_primary07.pdf http://www.aucd.org/docs/events/pres_primary07.pdf
. The forum will take place November 2 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Approximately 700 individuals with disabilities, family members, and other New Hampshire voters are expected to attend. The event will also be nationally webcasted live. Disability organizations in states, particularly the other early primary states (Iowa, South Carolina, and Nevada), are being encouraged to organize viewing events. AUCD has submitted questions for the candidates on issues including disability research, training, autism services, transition and post-secondary education, and family support. Each candidate will receive a block of time to discuss their vision of national disability possibility and answer questions. Democratic and Republican leaders will also provide keynote speeches. So far, Senator Dodd is the only candidate who has committed to attend the forum. Last week, AUCD contacted every campaign and sent personal invitations to all Democratic and Republican presidential candidates.
AUCD 2008 Public Policy Fellowship
AUCD is accepting applications for the 2008 AUCD Leadership Fellowship in Disability. The fellowship offers a significant experience in national level activities related to policy and legislative development, advocacy, program development, technical assistance, and association administration. Applications are due October 26 but will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. The fellowship is expected to begin in January of 2008, but earlier start dates are possible. For more information:
http://www.aucd.org/template/opportunity.cfm?opportunity_id=145&id=158&parent=158 http://www.aucd.org/template/opportunity.cfm?opportunity_id=145&id=158&parent=158
AUCD Legislative Affairs Committee
The Legislative Affairs Committee will meet at the upcoming Annual Meeting on Sunday, Nov. 11 at 5:30 p.m. The Committee will also host a briefing for all members on current federal legislative issues. The briefing is tentatively scheduled for Monday, Nov. 12 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Watch for updates on these events in upcoming issues of In Brief.
For copies of this and previous issues of Legislative News In Brief please visit the Public Policy Page of the AUCD website: http://www.aucd.org/template/page.cfm?id=27 http://www.aucd.org/template/page.cfm?id=27
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