capitol hill report: HOUSE VOTE NEAR ON COVID-19 RELIEF BILL
February 22, 2021
$1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Package Takes First Steps Forward
Key committees in the House of Representatives took the first steps towards advancing a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package using a process known as reconciliation, which would allow the bill to pass Congress with only Democratic support. The initial package includes a broad range of policies, such as grants to promote mental and behavioral health for providers; providing billions for COVID-19 vaccination, testing, contact tracing, and treatments; making health care insurance more affordable; and providing $1,400 direct payments to Americans, just to name a few. The House is expected to vote on this bill as soon as this week and congressional leaders are aiming for final passage by mid-March.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers recently re-introduced the Research Investment to Spark the Economy (RISE) Act (S. 289/H.R. 869), legislation that would provide around $25 billion in emergency relief to federal science agencies impacted by COVID-19, including a $10 billion investment to the NIH. The AAN has advocated for including this policy in the final COVID-19 relief package. Contact your lawmakers in support of the RISE Act.
The AAN also continues to advocate for Congress to take action to extend the Medicare sequester moratorium through the end of the public health emergency (PHE), either within this COVID-19 emergency relief package, or through separate congressional action.
AAN Joins Letter in Support of Fetal Tissue Research
On February 12, the AAN joined a broad coalition of organizations urging the Biden Administration to withdraw a proposed rule issued by the previous administration that would make it more difficult for scientists to use fetal tissue in research. The rule would prohibit the use of federal funds for the procurement of fetal tissue and restrict procurement from most health care facilities in the US. The letter noted that the proposed rule would impede promising biomedical research that could lead to new treatments for serious diseases. The letter also noted that the existing longstanding oversight process for fetal tissue research ensures that research using fetal tissue is scientifically meritorious, legal, and ethically sound.
Last Week to Apply to Neurology on the Hill
February 26 is the deadline to apply for the virtual 2021 Neurology on the Hill to be held on May 19. The AAN needs members who are passionate advocates for neurology to help build influential relationships with Congress, especially from the following states: Delaware, Idaho, Maine, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and South Dakota.
If chosen for this event, you can share the challenges neurology is facing with your congressional representatives―without having to travel to Washington, DC. You’ll receive training from veteran advocates and AAN staff who will bring you up to date on current issues before we engage with members of Congress and their staff virtually.
Learn more and apply. Contact us at noh@aan.com with any questions.