Get Up to Date on Federal MCH Policy
The next event in the All-Member National MCH Policy Call series will take place on Thursday, June 7, from 2-3 p.m. ET.
Trump Administration Sends Rescissions Package to Congress
Last week, the Trump administration submitted a proposal to Congress to rescind – or cut – $15.4 billion in previously approved federal spending. The proposal would rescind unused funds from prior-year appropriations and reduce budget authority for certain mandatory programs, including $7 billion from the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). AMCHP joined over 500 national, state, and local organizations in sending a letter urging members of Congress to reject any proposed cuts to CHIP budget authority. The rescissions proposal does not include cuts to funding from the recently-passed appropriations legislation for fiscal year 2018. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) introduced the rescissions proposal as legislation (H.R. 3, the Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act) on May 9. The legislation is expected to pass the House, but the prospects for passage in the Senate and timing for consideration in both houses are less certain. AMCHP government affairs staff will continue to monitor this issue closely and provide updates as appropriate.
AMCHP Calls on Congress to Pass Maternal Mortality Bill
In honor of Mother's Day, AMCHP joined several national organizations dedicated to improving maternal health in sending a letter to congressional leadership urging them to pass the bipartisan Maternal Health Accountability Act (S. 1112) / Preventing Maternal Deaths Act (H.R. 1318) as soon as possible. This legislation would help to address the rising rates of maternal mortality across the United States by providing funding to states to establish or expand statewide maternal mortality review committees. AMCHP strongly supports this legislation and will continue to advocate for its swift passage.
House Committee Advances Legislation to Combat Opioid Crisis
On May 9, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed 25 bills to combat the opioid crisis out of committee for consideration by the House of Representatives. This was the first of two legislative markups that the committee plans to hold on the topic this spring. The list of all 25 bills along with short descriptions is available here. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) previously said that he wants the House of Representatives to vote on opioids legislation before Memorial Day, but this vote could move into June.