November 2006

Public Health Funding Update
Congress reconvened on November 13 for one week and is in recess until December 4.  A continuing resolution was passed to fund the government until December.  A continuing resolution allows programs in bills not completed by the start of the new fiscal year to continue while appropriations bills are completed (including Labor, Health and Human Services and Education). Programs will continue at the FY 2006 level or the FY 2007 level proposed by the House or Senate, whichever is lowest.

There are several possible options for the remaining appropriations bills to fund government programs in Fiscal Year 2007.  The remaining bills could be combined in one omnibus bill, several “mini-bus” bills could be passed combining various departments or a long-term continuing resolution could be passed to fund the government until the new Congress convenes in January.  There is still a vast difference between the bills that have been passed in the House and the Senate to fund the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education. It is unclear at this time whether a solution will be found to fill this gap.

The President’s Budget will be released early in 2008.  As in past years, the President’s Budget is expected to contain extensive cuts to non-defense discretionary programs.  The Democrats in Congress will develop their own budget plans which are not expected to mirror the President’s Budget.  NACCHO will keep you informed as to how the President’s Budget affects public health programs.

Mid-term Election Recap
On November 7, midterm Congressional elections were held, and the results may be quite significant for public health.

When the 110th Congress convenes in January, Democrats will be in the majority in the House and the Senate.  What this will mean for health concerns is not entirely clear at this time, but a few conclusions are likely.  The Democratic majority will face the same budget constraints that have been the case for several years.  Bringing the deficit down has already been expressed as a priority by Democratic leaders.  However, the Democrats have traditionally been more supportive of social programs such as public health, and many incoming members of Congress included concerns about health issues as part of their campaign message.

Several significant changes will occur in committee leadership. Barring any unforeseen changes,  Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) and Rep. David Obey (D-WI) will become chairmen of the respective Appropriations Committees in the Senate and the House.  Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) will chair the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) will chair the House Energy and Commerce Committee. 

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