Major Events Last Week
Medicaid
The full Senate began consideration of a tax extenders bill. The bill includes the six month extension of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's temporary increase in the federal share of Medicaid spending (FMAP). It is unclear if the Senate has the 60 votes needed to pass the bill. Many Senators have expressed concern about the growing deficit and the need to pay for additional spending.
ADA/Olmstead
The U.S. Department of Justice reached settlement agreements under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with Smyth County, Virginia and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to improve access to their facilities, programs and services, including polling places and emergency services. Lancaster County was ordered to pay $1,000 to a veteran who was denied access to the court system. Title II applies to state and local governments. For additional information, see:
Technology
The House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet held a hearing on HR 3101, the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009, sponsored by Representative Edward Markey (D-MA.). The bill would enable people with disabilities to fully use broadband services and equipment and provide better access to video programming devices such as remote controls, menus on DVD players, etc. Read testimony and download the video at:
Major Events Ahead
Medicaid
The Senate is tentatively scheduled to vote on the tax extenders bill this week, though it is unclear if it will have the 60 votes needed to move forward. As of press time, the Senate bill includes the six month extension of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's temporary increase in the federal share of Medicaid spending (FMAP). While the majority of Senators have previously voted for the extension, negotiations continue as the Senate tries to find enough votes to avoid a filibuster and pass the bill.
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