Hill Update
House Passes Expansion of Medicaid
On Saturday, November 7, the House passed H.R. 3962, a health care reform bill. The legislation included an expansion of Medicaid. Under the House bill, everyone earning up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level will be eligible for Medicaid, beginning in 2013. This expansion will cover nearly all people experiencing homelessness. The full Senate has yet to consider its version of the legislation.
Appropriations: Senate Considers FY 2010 VA Funding
Yesterday, the Senate began consideration of the fiscal year (FY) 2010 Military Construction-Veterans' Affairs (VA) appropriations bill, which includes funding for several homeless veterans programs. The legislation includes $75 million for the Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program and $172 million for the Homeless Grant and Per Diem program, $28 million above the FY 2009 level. The legislation also calls for $26 million for a new pilot homelessness prevention program for veterans. In addition, Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) offered an amendment to the legislation which would aid homeless veterans. The amendment would shift $50 million away from military housing assistance and apply it to the renovation of 40-50 vacant building on VA medical campuses across the country. Local organizations would then be able to use these buildings to providing housing and supportive services to homeless veterans. The amendment is expected to be approved next week, after the Senate's Veterans' Day recess.
Appropriations: Senate Approves FY 2010 Second Chance Act Funding
On Thursday, November 5, the Senate passed the FY 2010 Commerce-Justice-Science spending bill. The legislation includes $50 million in funding for Second Chance Act grant programs. The House version, which included $100 million for Second Chance Act grant programs, passed on June 18. The legislation now heads to a conference committee to adopt a compromise version, which must then be passed by each chamber.
Congress Passes Extension of Unemployment Benefits
Last Thursday, Congress provided final approval to H.R. 3548, which will extend unemployment benefits. Unemployed individuals in all 50 states will be able to obtain 14 weeks of federal unemployment benefits beyond the 26 weeks of state benefits normally offered. People living in states with high unemployment rates will be eligible to receive an additional 6 weeks of benefits on top of the 14 week extension. President Obama signed the legislation into law on Friday.
