DOL Regulations on Health Plans The Trump Administration continued its assault on the Affordable Care Act. On Friday, January 5, the Department of Labor published a proposed regulation to broaden the definition of group health plans for small businesses. The regulation is seen by ACA advocates as an attempt to circumvent some of the provisions
During the break (December 21), Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded 25 guidance memoranda over a range of programs including the JJDPA. Sessions stated that, “Congress has provided for a regulatory process in statute, and we are going to follow it. This is good government and prevents confusing the public with improper and wrong advice… we
The House attached an earlier CHIP reauthorization on their latest CR—a CR that is likely to fall flat. The House bill is similar to a CHIP reauthorization that passed earlier this fall by a largely partisan vote. The bill (HR 3922) extends CHIP for five years. Democrats opposed the bill because of the way it
Democratic leaders sent mixed messages all last week on the fate of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and whether or not it would be a line in the sand for their votes in any end-of-the-year packages. In addition to the previous week’s letter by 34 House Republicans calling for action on DACA by
As a result of last year’s 21st Century Cures Act, a new Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC) has issued its set of recommendations. The full report: The Way Forward: Federal Action for a System That Works for All People Living With SMI and SED and Their Families and Caregivers addresses how the government
Shaquita Ogletree On December 13, 2017, the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth held a congressional briefing to discuss recruiting and retaining quality foster parents. The briefing focused on CHAMPS – children need amazing parents. The campaign promotes the need for state and local agencies to establish a new partnership between foster parents and child welfare
On Monday, December 4, the Every Child Deserves a Family Campaign was launched to promote best interests of all children in foster and adoption systems. The campaign is headed up by the Family Equality Council and includes a coalition of nearly two dozen founding organizations including the Child Welfare League of America. The goal of
As leaders met at the White House it became no clearer whether young people effected by the President’s repeal of DACA will get relief by the end of 2017. On Tuesday, December 5 a letter was sent to the Speaker by 34 House Republicans calling for action on DACA by the end of this year.
The Senate and House have now approved similar tax bills. There are several provisions within this legislation that could have a major impact on children and families. CWLA is most concerned about the following: The Senate version of this legislation would undercut health insurance coverage. According to the Congressional Budget Office, 4 million people next
On Thursday, November 30, HHS released the latest data on child welfare and it now shows that there are 437,465 children in foster care as of September 30, 2016. This is the fifth straight year of increases going from 396,966 in 2012 to 437,465 in 2016. Likely the 2017 numbers are even higher. That is