Federal news
Bill passed
H.R.1319 — American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 [became Public Law No. 117-2 on 3/11/2021]
Specifically, the bill provides funding for [see full list of provisions at the above link]
- schools and institutions of higher education;
- COVID-19 vaccinations, testing, treatment, and prevention;
- mental health and substance-use disorder services;
- programs for health care workers, transportation workers, federal employees, veterans, and other targeted populations;
- scientific research and development;
- state, territorial, and tribal capital projects that enable work, education, and health monitoring in response to COVID-19; and
- health care providers in rural areas.
The bill also includes provisions that
- provide premium assistance for certain health insurance coverage; and
- require coverage, without cost-sharing, of COVID-19 vaccines and treatment under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Pandemic Aid Package Includes Relief From High Premiums [Kaiser Health News, 3/9/21]
The just-passed COVID relief bill has “strengthen[ed] the Affordable Care Act with some of the most significant changes to insurance affordability in more than a decade.” The temporary changes pave the way for the possibility of a permanent revision of the ACA.
KHN has more on how the new law affects health in their podcast episode, Expanding the ACA in an Unpredicted Way.
What the American Rescue Plan Act Means for Libraries [American Libraries, 3/12/21]
“Act provides historic levels of new funding for IMLS, E-Rate, and other programs.”
HHS data highlights negative effects of work requirements [Roll Call, 3/11/21]
“…efforts by states to seek work requirements or capped funding result in reduced enrollment and access to care.”
State news
Our Illinois legislators are back at work, and there are many bills and amendments being proposed right now. They are looking at everything from amending the Election Code to creating a Vegetable Garden Protection Act. For a listing and a summary, visit https://legiscan.com/IL/legislation.
A couple of recent articles from the State Journal-Register:
- Illinois lawmakers look to address state’s mental health care needs
- Illinois House adopts new rules under Welch