Angie's Federal Overview

Both the House and Senate are in session for the next three weeks and then in recess the week of Memorial Day.

Rescission Package

Trump Administration sent a rescission package to Congress yesterday, seeking to pull back $15 billion in unobligated funds from prior fiscal years. The Administration has made it clear that they plan to send additional rescission packages to Congress later in the year, potentially targeting FY 2018 funds. We believe there is a likelihood that the package will pass the House if they choose to hold a vote, however it is less certain on the Senate side. The Senate may passively “reject” the rescission package by just not voting on it and letting the time clock run out. The current rescission includes (among other things):

• $7 billion from CHIP - $5 billion of which is expired funds and $2 billion of which is from a contingency fund for states to use if their CHIP enrollment dramatically increases.
• CBO analyzed the CHIP rescission and found that it would have no impact on state budgets or the number of insured children.
• $800 million from CMS Innovation program.
• $107 million from Hurricane Sandy Relief.
• The House is going to introduce legislation this week to take the rescission package straight to the floor, bypassing the normal Appropriations Committee process.
• Click here for an overview of the rescission process.

Opioids

• Today the full Energy and Commerce Committee favorably reported on 25 bills and is scheduled to have another markup next week.
• Chairman Walden said that while they had hoped to have opioid legislation on the House floor before the Memorial Day recess, it looks like it may now have to wait until June.

Other News

• Maryland and Virginia’s marketplace insurers requested very large premium increases, which may signal the rate-setting around the country.
• Attorney General Jeff Sessions traveled to San Diego to announce that undocumented families apprehended at the US border (even those seeking asylum) will be separated – children from their parents.
• Medicaid Waiver News
• Kansas request to impose lifetime limits on Medicaid recipients was denied.
• New Hampshire becomes the 4th state approved to impose work requirements on receipt of Medicaid benefits.
• Immigration Discharge Petition a group of Republican House Members (including Jeff Denham and David Valadao) filed a “Discharge Petition” asking for a vote on a Rule that would bring up a “Queen of the Hill” process by which the House votes on 4 Immigration bills and the one with the most votes wins. The Petition needs to be signed by a majority of House members to trigger the vote (currently 15 Republicans have signed).
• Farm Bill – the House Ag Committee approved their draft bill on party lines, and House Republicans are now trying to count votes to see if it can pass the House. Two issues of interest that are included:
• Grants for Ag Organizations to form Association Health Plans – this is pursuant to the Trump Administration regulation allowing for Association Health Plans, which can be non-ACA compliant.
• Stricter Work Requirements for receipt of SNAP benefits - CBO says will save $9 billion over 10 years because individuals will lose access to benefits.