Current Public Policy Issues

Advocacy Update: HUD Issues Funding Notices
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has issued funding notices for the Section 811 Supportive Housing Program for Persons with Disabilities and for a demonstration project to provide assistance with intergenerational housing units using the Section 202 program. Learn more in the May 22 issue of LSA Washington.

Advocacy Alert: Thursday, June 19 1 pm EDT Conference Call: "Future of Affordable Housing Public Policy"
Join LSA, CHHSM's public policy partner, for a briefing from Shelia Crowley, president of the National Low Income Housing Coalition on this year's expected Congressional action on the National Housing Trust Fund Act, Section 202 and Section 811 reform legislation and housing appropriations for FY 2009. To register for the call, please email advocacy@lutheranservices.org by noon on June 19 and specify that you are making reservations for the "Housing" call.

Advocacy Alert: Thursday, June 19, 3:30 pm: "LSA Disability Network Public Policy Update"
Join Healther Ansley, LSA's director of policy and advocacy, for an update on public policy initiatives that address the needs of people with disabilities. To register for the call, please email advocacy@lutheranservices.org by noon on June 19 and specify that you are making reservations for the "LSA Disability Network" call. This call is sponsored by the LSA Disability Network Public Policy Project.

Advocacy Alert: Thursday, May 15, 2 pm EDT Conference Call: "Intersections of State and Federal Child Welfare Public Policy."
Join LSA, CHHSM's advocacy partner, for a briefing on this timely topic. R.S.V.P. to Lisa Carr by 5:00 pm EST on Wednesday, May 14 to receive call-in instructions.

Advocacy Alert: Legislation that would place a moratorium on Medicaid regulations has been introduced in the House and the Senate.
Learn more here (PDF, 82K)

Advocacy Alert: Thursday, February 21, 2 pm EST Conference Call: "What Is The Future of Long-Term Care Financing?"
Join LSA, CHHSM's advocacy partner, for a briefing on this timely topic. R.S.V.P. to Lisa Carr by 5:00pm EST on Wednesday, February 20 to receive call-in instructions.

Back by popular demand!
Advocacy Conference Call:
Innovative Strategies for Advocacy
Thursday, February 28, 2 pm EST
Register for this free webinar here: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/862680034
Stephanie D. Vance, the "Advocacy Guru" of Advocacy Associates, LLC will be speaking on new approaches to old-fashioned advocacy, offering insights into using cool new web 2.0 tools for advocacy. And to prove she can "walk the walk and talk the talk" she's offering this program in a webinar format. In the program, we'll look at how some groups are successfully incorporating blogs, podcasts and social network techniques into their advocacy work.

Participants will learn specific approaches that can invigorate advocacy effort, how to steer clear of common obstacles and the five keys to applying these techniques to grassroots advocacy campaigns. Through the magic of the Internet we'll show you how to set up blog, establish a wiki, explore Facebook, record a podcast and investigate the techniques YOU care most about -- using free and easy online tools!

How do we know these techniques work? Stephanie Vance uses them every day in her work helping nonprofits understand how to advocate effectively using the newest techniques. She is author of Government by the People: How to Communicate with Congress and the fabjob.com guide, Get a Job on Capitol Hill. Stephanie's experience in Congressional affairs reflects her deep understanding of the advocacy process. She's worked in a prominent DC law firm, lobbied for National Public Radio and worked in various Congressional offices, holding positions as Legislative Director and Staff Director. In addition, she holds a Masters Degree in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University and a Master's Degree in Liberal Studies at Georgetown University.

Her work on congressional communications stems from a deep and abiding belief that government is effective only when citizens are active participants. Are you ready to be an active and effective participant in government? If so, please join us for this session!

Advocacy Alert: December 20, 2 pm EST Conference Call on Innovative Strategies and Tools in Advocating on the State and Federal Level
Join LSA, CHHSM's advocacy partner, for a briefing on innovative strategies and tools for advocacy. R.S.V.P. to Lisa Carr by 5:00pm EST on Wednesday, December 19 to receive call-in instructions.

Kathy Saile to Leave LSA, Direct Domestic Policy for the Catholic Bishops
Kathy Saile, the Associate Director of Public Policy for LSA for the past three years has accepted a position as Director of Domestic Social Development for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. LSA is CHHSM's advocacy partner. Kathy's last day at the LSA office will be October 5. Read the whole article in the September 20 issue of LSA Washington here, (PDF, 108K) and send good wishes to Kathy at LSA's Public Policy Office, 122 C Street NW, Suite 125, Washington DC 20001 or via email at ksaile@lutheranservices.org.

Advocacy Alert: September 20, 2 pm EDT Conference Call on Outlook for FY2008 Federal Spending
Join LSA, CHHSM's advocacy partner, for a briefing on the outlook for FY2008 spending as the federal budget process draws toward its close. R.S.V.P. to Kathy Saile by 5:00pm EDT on Wednesday, September 19 to receive call-in instructions. Read more in the current issue of LSA Washington. (PDF, 64K)

Advocacy Alert: Section 202 Supportive Housing Bill Introduced
Legislation to streamline and simplify the development and preservation of affordable supportive senior housing has been introcued in the House of Representatives. Drafted by the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA), the new legislation seeks to make reforms to the new construction grant process; expand refinancing and preservation efforts of existing Section 202 properties; and expand access to assisted living facilities. Learn more in the current issue of LSA Washington. (PDF, 64K)

Advocacy Alert: August 16, 2 pm EDT Conference Call on SCHIP, Medicare and Health Care Reform
Join LSA, CHHSM's advocacy partner, for a briefing that will include news on SCHIP reauthorization as it makes its way through conference committee, pending changes to Medicare and Medicaid, and proposals to cover uninsured adults. R.S.V.P. to Kathy Saile by 5:00pm EDT on Wednesday, August 15 to receive call-in instructions. Read more in the current issue of LSA Washington.

LSA Washington Testifies on Affordable Housing
On July 19, CHHSM's advocacy partner, Lutheran Services in America (LSA), testified before the House Financial Services Committee. The hearing, at which LSA was represented by David Roberts, president and CEO of Lutheran Homes Society and president of LSA-Ohio, focused on H.R. 2895, the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007. Read the press release here, (PDF, 28K) and read Roberts's testimony here. (PDF, 48K)

LSA's testimony came about through the work of Associate Director of Public Policy Kathy Saile, who is a national leader in advocacy for affordable housing.

Advocacy Alert: July 19 Conference Call on Becoming a More Effective Advocate
Join our LSA partners Kathy Saile, Associate Director of Public Policy; Lisa Carr, Director of Public Policy; and Andrew Morris, LSA Disability Network Public Policy Liaison as they present the new LSA Public Policy Advocacy Toolkit. Advocates from Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota and Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois will also present their advocacy models.

R.S.V.P. to Kathy Saile by 5:00pm on Wednesday, July 18 to receive call-in instructions.

CHHSM Signs on to SCHIP Reauthorization Letter
CHHSM has joined our advocacy partner Lutheran Services in America and more than seventy other organizations in signing a letter to members of Congress asking for reauthorization of SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program). SCHIP is a federal-state program that provides health insurance to children whose families have low incomes but earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. The letter also asks that states be provided with the tools they need to use SCHIP to cover more children and that Congress establish a new child health quality initiative. Read the letter here. (PDF, 24K)

CHHSM Signs on to Letter Supporting the Public Good IRA Rollover Act of 2007
CHHSM has signed on to a letter "Public Good IRA Rollover Act of 2007," supporting legislation that would continue the current IRA Charitable Rollover that has enabled Americans, through transfers from IRAs to charities, to make millions of dollars of new contributions to nonprofits that benefit people. Read the sign on letter here.

Resources for SCHIP Reauthorization Advocacy
The Coalition for Human Needs reports that, "Members of Congress, state officials and advocates hope to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), a popular and successful joint federal-state program that provides health insurance to children whose families have low incomes but earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. The program, which was created in 1997 by the Balanced Budget Act, is up for reauthorization for the first time this year. Many view the reauthorization process as an opportunity to make improvements in SCHIP and Medicaid, its larger companion program, so that they reach more eligible children.

Read the rest of the article here and check out these additional resources for SCHIP advocacy from the Center on Budget & Policy Priorities:

Improving Children's Health: A Chartbook about the Roles of Medicaid and SCHIP (2007Edition)
This chartbook summarizes current knowledge about the health insurance coverage and health needs of low-income children in the United States and the roles that Medicaid and SCHIP play in improving children's health care access and health status.

SCHIP Reauthorization: President's Budget Would Provide Less than Half the Funds that States Need to Maintain SCHIP Enrollment (2/22/07)
This report discusses the President's funding proposal for SCHIP.

Fourteen States Face SCHIP Shortfalls this Year Totaling Over $700 Million (2/22/07)
New estimates show that 14 states lack sufficient federal funding to maintain current enrollment levels in the State Children's Health Insurance Program through the end of fiscal year 2007.

Freezing SCHIP Funding in Coming Years Would Reverse Recent Gains in Children's Health Coverage (2/22/07)
This report analyzes how the successes of the SCHIP program are now threatened.

LSA Washington, DC Advocacy Days March 6 and April 17
On March 6, LSA members are invited to join the LSA Public Policy Advisory Committee in a full day of briefings on health and human service policy issues being considered by Congress and the Administration. Lunch will feature a keynote address by a congressional leader. The day will close with a congressional reception on Capitol Hill - an excellent opportunity to meet informally with members of Congress and their staff. Participants are encouraged to schedule meetings with members of Congress on March 7. Please contact Lisa Carr at lcarr@lutheranservices.org if you are interested in attending. There is a $50 charge to cover meeting materials, room rental and lunch. On April 17, LSA is hosting an Advocacy Day in Washington, DC, a day before the LSA Annual Conference. More information can be found in the LSA Annual Conference registration brochure at www.lutheranservices.org.

Federal Budget Advocacy Trainings Now Online
Earlier this month, Martha Coven of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and Deborah Weinstein of the Coalition on Human Needs presented two advocacy trainings on the federal budget. The slides and the audio from those presentations are now online; read and listen here.

Advocacy Update: Research Report on the Health of Children in Foster Care

CHHSM's advocacy partner, Lutheran Service in America, has provided this research report titled "The Health of Children in Foster Care: Where Policy Meets Practice," by David Rubin, MD, MSCE, Director of Research and Policy at Safe Place: Center for Child Protection and Health, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. View a PowerPoint overview of the report here. (MS Powerpoint, 118K)

Advocacy Update: Congress Delays SCHIP Funding Shortfalls by Several Months

Just prior to adjournment, Congress approved legislation (H.R. 6164) that includes a modest provision that partially addresses the federal funding shortfalls projected for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) in 17 states this fiscal year. Read the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities briefing here. (PDF, 123K)

Advocacy Alert

CHHSM's advocacy partner, Lutheran Services in America, will host a conference call, titled "Post-Election Analysis and What to Expect from the 110th Congress," on November 14 at 3 pm EST. Please RSVP to Kathy Saile at ksaile@lutheranservices.org to reserve a place and to receive Power Point slides before the call. To join the call, dial 1-800-917-9796 and use passcode 591652. F or more updates on current public policy issues, read the October 24, 2006 issue of LSA Washington.

Advocacy Alert

The House and Senate have unanimously passed the Child and Family Services Improvement Act of 2006 (S. 3525). The bill reauthorizes the following programs: Promoting Safe and Stable Families, Child Welfare Services (Title IV-B part 1), Mentoring Children of Prisoners, and Court Improvement through 2011.

The Child and Family Services Improvement Act creates two new grant programs: one that will issue competitive grants to state and tribal child welfare agencies and faith and community-based organizations to provide family-based substance abuse treatment, and the other will provide formula grants to states to help them achieve monthly caseworker visits to at least 90 percent of children in foster care by 2011.
September 28, 2006

Advocacy Alert

CHHSM's advocacy partner, Lutheran Services in America, is hosting a 2006 series of informative conference calls about issues that concern health and social service providers. The fourth and final call in the series is September 19 at 4:00 pm Eastern, when Lisa Carr, Kathy Saile and Andrina Fiene from Lutheran Services in America will give an Appropriations update. To join the call, please call 1-913-312-9348 and the passcode 591652. Please RSVP for the call by emailing your contact information to lcarr@lutheranservices.org.

Advocacy Alert

In February 2006, The IRS issued a new fact sheet entitled "Election Year Activities and the Prohibition on Political Campaign Intervention for Section 501(c)(3) Organizations." For analysis of the IRS guidelines and a link to the fact sheet, read the July 24 issue of LSA Washington.

Advocacy Alert

The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) was signed into law by President Bush on February 8, 2006. The DRA makes a number of changes to entitlement programs including Medicaid, child welfare and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). CHHSM's advocacy partner, Lutheran Services in America, has prepared an analysis of the DRA's affect on the people we serve. Read it in the May 26 issue of LSA Washington. (PDF, 72K)

Senate Passes Budget Reconciliation Bill

On Wednesday, December 21 the Senate passed the budget reconciliation bill by a vote of 51-50 with Vice President Cheney breaking the tie vote. All Senate Democrats and five Republican members voted against the bill. The Republican Senators are DeWine (R-OH), Snowe (R-ME), Collins (R-ME), Smith (R-OR), and Chafee (R-RI). Because the Senate made significant technical changes to the 774- page bill approximately three hours before the vote took place, the bill must go back to the House for consideration. The House is scheduled to return from its holiday break at the end of January and to consider the budget reconciliation bill in early February.

CHHSM's advocacy partner LSA reports that "the conference agreement on the budget reconciliation bill was far worse than the House or Senate bills." For a summary of the conference agreement, by issue, please see the December 22 issue of LSA Washington. (PDF, 82K)

Budget Talking Points for Mom

Has all of the talk about budget reconciliation bills and conference committees left you a bit puzzled? To clear up the confusion, the Coalition on Human Needs has produced "Budget Talking Points Even a Mother Could Love," a simple Q&A on the 2006 Federal budget process. Read them here (PDF,33K) and use them as you continue to let your legislators know how you'd like them to reconcile the budget.

House Passes Budget Reconciliation Bill

The House of Representatives narrowly adopted the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (H.R. 4241) by a vote of 217 to 215. The bill was passed at almost 2:00 am on Friday, November 18 after many hours of negotiating. The budget reconciliation bill cuts nearly $11 billion from the Medicaid program. Thank you to the many advocates who contacted their representatives about this legislation. The vote was very close as a result of many phone calls, meetings and faxes to members of Congress. All of the Democrats and 14 Republicans in the House voted against the bill. The Republicans who voted against the bill are Representatives Gerlach (PA), Johnson (CT), Johnson (IL), Jones (NC), Leach (IA), McHugh (NY), Ney (OH), Paul (TX), Ramstad (MN), Shays (CT), Simmons (CT), Smith (NJ), Sweeney (NY) and Wilson (NM).

In order to gain support for the bill, the House Rules Committee approved modifications affecting Medicaid eligibility and cost-sharing. The bill was modified to maintain the current $3 copayment for Medicaid services for beneficiaries over 100 percent of the poverty level. However, the bill also allows states to raise the cost-sharing requirements up to five percent of a family's annual income. The bill also included changes to the asset transfer provision. The amount of home equity that would make an individual ineligible for Medicaid coverage was raised from $500,000 to $750,000. The bill did not include a change in the Medicaid penalty date for improper asset transfers.

The Senate approved its version of the budget reconciliation bill on November 3 by a vote of 52 to 47. The Senate bill (S. 1932) cuts Medicaid and Medicare by $10 billion with little cuts directly impacting beneficiaries. The House and Senate will now select members to be on a Conference Committee and they will work out the differences between the House and Senate bill. The House is currently in recess and is scheduled to return on December 5 for a two-week session. The Senate will not return until the week of December 12 and is scheduled to be in session for a week or less.

For more information, contact Lisa Carr, Director of Public Policy, at 202-626-7945 or at lcarr@lutheranservices.org.

House Passes an Affordable Housing Fund and Threatens Non-Profits' Advocacy Rights

On October 26, the House of Representatives passed the "Federal House Financing Reform Act" (H.R. 1461) by a vote of 331-90. The bill primarily addresses reforms to government-sponsored entities (GSE's) such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. However, debate on the House floor was focused on a provision in the bill that creates two Affordable Housing Funds with three and a half percent of net profits from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In a compromise with conservative Republicans, Chairman Oxley (R-OH) of the House Financial Services Committee, agreed to add language affecting nonprofit organizations rights to participate in advocacy and nonpartisan election activities that are currently allowed by law.

The compromise provision prohibits nonprofit organizations from applying for the affordable housing funds if they participate in or have participated in the last twelve months in lobbying within permissible limits or nonpartisan election activities. These activities include nonpartisan voter registration; transportation of the elderly and disabled persons to and from the polls in private vehicles; use of the organization's space as a polling station; providing assistance to shut-ins and nursing home residents to apply for absentee ballots; and Get-Out-the-Vote efforts. Nonprofit organizations that are affiliated with organizations that participate or have participated in the last twelve months in said activities would also be barred from applying for the funds. "Affiliation" is defined broadly and includes having overlapping board members; sharing physical space, employees, supplies, Internet or other public communications; or transferring more than 20 percent of the organization's funding to, or receiving 20 percent of the organization's funding from, another organization. This prohibition applies to lobbying and nonpartisan election activities funded with a nonprofit organization's private monies.

The first key vote on the bill was on the manager's amendment, which contained the language limiting nonprofit organizations involvement in lobbying and nonpartisan election activities that is currently allowed by law for 501(c)(3) organizations. The amendment passed 210 to 205.

The debate on the anti-advocacy provision centered on nonprofit organizations using the Affordable Housing Fund grants to support "political activities". Opponents of the anti-advocacy provision pointed out that the language in the bill specifically says that Affordable Housing Fund grants are to be used solely to produce, preserve and rehabilitate housing that is affordable to extremely low and very low-income families. Opponents of the anti-advocacy provision also argued that language in the manager's amendment would prohibit faith-based groups from applying for the grants by limiting the funds to applicants whose primary purpose is housing. None of the prohibitions on lobbying or nonpartisan election activity would apply to for-profit organizations that would receive Affordable Housing Fund grants. The bill was also amended to focus Affordable Housing Fund grants for the first two years of the program within the Gulf Coast region. There is a great need to rebuild affordable housing post-Hurricane Katrina.

The Senate's version of the GSE reform-bill (S. 190) does not include an Affordable Housing Fund or anti-advocacy provisions. The Senate has overwhelmingly rejected similar anti-advocacy provisions in the past. There is currently no action on the Senate bill. If S. 190 passes the Senate, then the House and Senate would have to conference the bill and pass a compromise bill of the House and Senate versions. The White House issued a statement that it has concerns with the House bill, although the statement did not address the nonprofit provision.

For more information, contact Kathy Saile, Associate Director Public Policy, at ksaile@lutheranservices.org or 202-626-7932.

Advocacy Alert: Emergency Medicaid Assistance for Hurricane Victims

September 28, 2005

The Senate is considering legislation that would assist victims of Hurricane Katrina with Medicaid assistance. The bill could be amended to assist victims of Hurricane Rita as well. Senators Grassley (R-IA) and Baucus (D-MT), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, have introduced S. 1716, the Emergency Health Care Relief Act. Read more in the September 26 issue of LSA Washington. (PDF, 57K)

CHHSM's advocacy partner, Lutheran Services in America, provides education materials on federal programs and budget priorities. On this page, find links to LSA's 2005 budget priorities and issue briefs on a variety of federal programs.

Advocacy Alert

July 29, 2005

Medicaid Reform Focuses on National Governors Association Proposal

Thank you to the many advocates who contacted their elected officials regarding Medicaid cuts in the FY 2006 budget resolution. Members of Congress reported hearing loud and clear that the large cuts they proposed were unwise. Instead of cutting Medicaid by $20 billion that was voted on by the House, the House and Senate agreed to cut Medicaid by $10 billion. The Medicaid cut was approved by a vote of 214-211 in the House and 52-47 in the Senate, largely along party lines. The cuts will be part of the budget reconciliation process with the specific cuts to Medicaid voted on September 16. The cuts will not take place, however, until October 2006.

The budget resolution also called for the creation of a Medicaid Commission. Although intended to be bipartisan, Commission members are appointed by HHS Secretary Leavitt. The Commission is to recommend by September 1, 2005 what parts of Medicaid should be cut and will make further recommendations on how to reform the program by December 31, 2006. The Commission held its first meeting on July 27 and will meet on August 17 and 18 to consider specific proposals and vote on recommendations.

There is concern that the Commission will not have enough time to adequately consider the implications of the cuts in the less than 40 days they have allotted.

The House and Senate are holding hearings on Medicaid in order to better understand the program and areas of reform. The Senate Finance Committee recently held hearings on fraud and abuse and a New York Times series last week is further encouraging Congress to examine this area more closely. The Senate Select Committee on Aging and the House Energy and Commerce Committee have also been holding hearings.

Medicaid is a joint federal/state program and thus Congress is very interested in what changes Governors would like to see to the program. On June 15, 2005 the National Governors Association testified before Congress and released a paper that outlined their plan for Medicaid reform.

The National Governors Association would like additional flexibility to streamline Medicaid and has suggested seven areas of reform. The areas include prescription drug improvements; asset policy; cost sharing; benefit package flexibility; comprehensive waiver reforms; judicial reforms; and commonwealths and territories. A description of the NGA plan is found on their website at www.nga.org. (Link will open a new browser window.)

Advocacy groups have voiced concern that the NGA plan would hurt beneficiaries through cost sharing, changes to the benefit packages, and judicial reforms. There is little detailed information available on the NGA plan but the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has released a paper on concerns with cost sharing and Families USA has released a paper on the NGA plan in general. For more information, go to www.cbpp.org and www.familiesusa.org. (Links will open a new browser window.)

—LSA Washington, July 29, 2005

Charitable Deduction for Non-Itemizing Taxpayers Advocacy Opportunity

The United Way of America is circulating a letter to national, state and local nonprofit organizations which asks Congress to reinstate the charitable deduction for taxpayers who do not itemize their tax returns. This proposal is similar to a deduction that was available to non-itemizing taxpayers from 1982-1986. The proposal is included in S. 6, the CARE Act, introduced by Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA). The proposal would allow single tax filers who use the standard deduction to deduct contributions over $250 up to a ceiling of $500. Joint filers who use the standard deduction could deduct contributions over $500 up to a ceiling of $1000. To maximize the new giving, the deduction applies only to that portion of annual contributions that exceeds the specified floor ($250 for single filers, $500 for joint filers). While the non-itemizer deduction has already been included in the Senate CARE Act, its fate in the House is unclear. While President Bush has included it in previous budgets submitted to Congress, he did not include it in his most recent budget request for FY 2006. Press reports state that the President chose not to request the deduction this year in part because of a lack of demonstrated support from the nonprofit community. We are working to correct that impression. There is no deadline for the letter. It will be open for organizations to sign on until Congress acts. To sign on your organization, contact Jenn Novesky, Senior Associate for Public Policy at the United Way of America.

—LSA Washington, July 29, 2005

Issue Briefs

As public policy debates unfold in Washington, CHHSM provides issue briefs and alerts to aid the advocacy of its members.

Housing Issues

CHHSM Issue Brief: Affordable Housing
March 2005 (PDF, 244K)

Health Insurance

CHHSM Issue Brief: Health Care Coverage
March 2005 (PDF, 244K)

Medicaid

CHHSM Issue Brief: Medicaid
March 2005 (PDF, 232K)

Medicare

CHHSM Issue Brief: Medicare
March 2005 (PDF, 228K)

Workforce Issues

CHHSM Issue Brief: Workforce Shortage
March 2005 (PDF, 248K)

Child Welfare

CHHSM Issue Brief: Child Welfare
March 2005 (PDF, 244K)