People

Becerra Goes Before Two Senate Committees for Confirmation

On Tuesday, February 23, and Wednesday, February 24, 2021, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra testified before the Senate HELP and Finance Committees in order to get a confirmation vote before the full Senate.   HELP Committee Chair Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) offered high praise for the former Congressman by saying, “Given the urgency of this

Biden Administration Moves to Remove Medicaid/Work Requirements From Court Docket

On Tuesday, February 22, 2021, the Biden Administration moved to vacate the March Supreme Court hearing to consider whether or not the Trump Administration’s approval of work requirements through Medicaid waivers is legal. The Biden Administration is working to repeal the approval of those work waivers in a dozen states.   On February 12, 2021,

NASADAD Presents Early Intervention Guide: Reaching Youth At Risk for Substance Use and Misuse

On Thursday, February 25, 2021, the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) presented their resource guide, Reaching Youth At Risk for Substance Use and Misuse: Early Intervention Resources and Practices, developed with funding from the Conrad N. Hilton Family Foundation. Adolescent substance use prevention is a priority for the Hilton Foundation and

New Jersey’s Experience in Providing Direct Assistance to Young People

On Wednesday, February 24, 2021, Foster Club and the Juvenile Law Center cohosted a webinar to support state advocates successfully implementing funds from the Consolidated Appropriations Act. This webinar focused on how New Jersey implemented funds from the CARES Act to young people. New Jersey received $2.4 billion block grant to address emergent needs and New

Former HHS Assistant Secretary, Lynn Johnson, Provides Advice for the Biden Administration on Faith-based Agencies

On Wednesday, February 24, 2021, the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and the National Review Institute hosted Lynn Johnson in her first public conversation since leaving Washington. Lynn Johnson served as the Assistant Secretary at HHS’s Administration for Children and Families and discussed a wide array of topics, including extensive paperwork inhibiting agency effectiveness, lack of

Administration Give Priority to Small Businesses for PPP

Last Wednesday, February 24, 2021, the Biden Administration opened a window of February 24 through March 9, 2021, for businesses (including non-profits) of 20 or less employees to apply for a second-round application for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).   The program was extended again this year after last year’s December COVID-19 package was signed

Analysis of State Economies Show Government Job Loss

The COVID-19 reconciliation bill moving through Congress would provide state and local governments with $350 billion in relief, and a new analysis by the Washington Post seems to demonstrate states will need it.   On February 15, 2021, the Post published a story that shows states losing 1.3 million jobs since the start of the pandemic. State

Becerra Hearings This Week, CMS Nomination, More HHS Appointments

The Senate HELP Committee will hold a hearing on the selection of Xavier Becerra to be the next Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. The HELP Committee is one of two committees that review the nomination for HHS. The HELP hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at 10:00 AM (430

HealthCare.gov Special Enrollment Period 2021

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) created an emergency Special Enrollment Period (SEP) due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) that would allow individuals and families to apply and enroll in the coverage they need, after President Biden Executive Order issued last month, January 28, 2021.   Some of the life changes that can qualify

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