Monthly Archives: October 2008
- CHN: Major Victory on Mental Health
The House and Senate managed to reach an agreement on a mental health parity bill and to see it become law before adjourning. The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, H.R. 6983, was signed into law on October 3 as part of the $700 billion bailout package. The passage Read More »
Posted in Health Comments Off - CHN: Child Tax Credit Improvement Enacted in Financial Rescue Bill
On October 3, its final day in session, Congress passed and the President signed into law a major improvement in the Child Tax Credit that will help 13 million low-income children. The provision makes families with earnings of $8,500 or more eligible for a partial Child Tax Credit although they don’t earn enough to owe Read More »
Posted in Tax Policy Comments Off - CHN: Foster Care Bill Passes
The House passed the bi-partisan Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (H.R. 6893) by voice vote on September 17, and the Senate passed it by unanimous consent on September 22. The President is expected to sign the bill. The legislation recognizes the contribution grandparents and other relatives make in raising children Read More »
Posted in Social Services Comments Off - CHN: Premium Assistance for Low-Income Seniors Awaits President’s Signature
Legislation to assist low-income seniors with their Medicare Part B premiums made its way quietly to the President’s desk this fall. S. 3560, introduced by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and ranking member Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA), would increase funding for Medicare’s Qualifying Individuals (QI) program by $45 million. QI provides payment of Read More »
- CHN: Humanitarian Immigrants to Receive Extension of SSI Benefits
On September 30, President Bush penned into law a long-awaited extension of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for refugees and other immigrants here on humanitarian grounds. The bill (H.R. 2608), which originated in the House, passed that chamber in July 2007. However, it was not until August of this year, with some slight modifications, that Read More »
Posted in Immigration, Income Support Comments Off - CHN: Domestic Spending Extended for Six Months; Almost All Flat-Funded
With 24 hours to spare, President Bush signed a continuing resolution extending most domestic spending through March 6, 2009. Unable to agree upon most of the separate appropriations bills, Congress instead passed temporary legislation with almost all spending frozen at this year’s levels. Human needs advocates had worked hard to secure increased funding for a Read More »
Posted in Budget and Appropriations Comments Off
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