Deadline Looms for Secure Rural Schools
CHIP and Maternal Home Visits Also Extended in "Doc Fix"
A two-year extension of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program has been included as part of a deal (often referred to as the “doc fix”) to replace Medicare’s physician payment formula. Specifically, the SRS provision would cover payments for fiscal year 2014 (retroactive) and fiscal year 2015. It also would require the U.S. Forest Service to provide the fiscal year 2014 payment in a timely manner – within 45 days of enactment.
Update (March 26, 9:42 a.m.): The House just passed the bill (H.R. 2) by an overwhelming vote of 392-37. It has the Administration’s support and now goes to the Senate—they will likely pass it as well, but timing is uncertain—it only takes one Senator to object to quick action and they plan on recessing for two weeks beginning this weekend. Here is a link to a summary.
Status of the Legislation
GOP leaders negotiated the “Doc Fix” package with House Democrats, so the measure does have bipartisan support. However, there are still a few remaining roadblocks. For starters, the proposal is not fully offset, so there will likely be some pushback from fiscal conservatives/budget hawks. In addition, the package includes an abortion rider that could be a concern for some Democrats, although Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)—along with House Pro-Choice Caucus Chairwomen Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Diana DeGette (D-CO)—are encouraging their colleagues to support the legislation. Both parties are currently whipping votes to make sure the measure has enough support to pass the House.
Time is running short as the current Medicare payment formula expires on March 31, and Congress will recess for two weeks at the conclusion of this week’s business. The House is currently on pace to consider the legislation Thursday, leaving very little time for Senate consideration. For their part, Senate Democrats are seeking additional concessions from Republicans in the package, but it’s unclear whether they would be willing to hold up final passage.
Background on SRS
In the previous fiscal year, the SRS program provided more than $32.7 million to 39 California counties. These funds—which are provided to rural counties affected by the steep decline in federal timber harvests—are used to maintain local roads and schools, operate search and rescue missions, and provide many other essential local services.
CSAC has continued to encourage key members of Congress to provide a sustainable, long-term solution to SRS. In particular, the association has urged lawmakers to develop bipartisan legislation that would address active forest management, streamline the environmental review process, and revise the Forest Service’s day-to-day approach to managing the nation’s federal forests. Additionally, Congress should ensure that counties are appropriately compensated under any potential new payment system.
In the absence of such a proposal, CSAC supports an immediate short-term extension of funding to help forest counties and schools avert a major budgetary crisis.
Children’s Health Insurance Program
The legislation also includes a two-year extension of funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP/Healthy Families). Without the enhanced federal funding provided through the program, California’s Health and Human Services Agency estimates a loss of up to $533 million annually in federal funding to provide health services to children.
Home Visiting Program
Finally, the bill contains a two-year extension of funding for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. This program supports pregnant women and families and helps at-risk parents of pre-school children by using evidence-based, cost-effective models that improve maternal and child health, prevent child abuse and neglect, encourage positive parenting, and promote child development and school readiness. California received $22.6 million in FY 2015 funding last month. As of February 2015, 21 California counties participated in the federal program.