Dear Friend,
I hope you are getting time to spend time with loved ones and beat the heat. The summer season is flying by and soon enough it will be time for back to school preparations and then Labor Day celebrations. Below is a brief update on some state news and local happenings.
Federal Spending
The sprawling congressional spending proposal that was signed by President Trump on July 4, will have myriad impacts on core governmental services. The full impact is still being assessed, and some portions have been paused due to litigation, while others will not go into effect for several months or even a year. What is clear is that critical funding for medicaid, SNAP (supplemental nutrition assistance program), and federal student loans will all receive major funding reductions. Additionally, many other investments will be greatly reduced or eliminated, such as provisions to support clean energy adoption and greenhouse gas reduction, increase access to healthcare in rural America, community assistance and wealth-building initiatives, and much more.
In general, these reductions will save the Federal Government an estimated $1.4 trillion over the next 10 years. This is offset by the legislation’s $4.5 trillion reduction in federal revenues from an extension of President Trump’s 2017 tax bill as well as new cuts. Finally, Federal spending on immigration enforcement and the military will increase by around $325 billion. All said, the resulting legislation will increase the deficit by $3.4 trillion over the next decade.
The Virginia House Emergency Committee formed to analyze federal spending reductions will meet August 14. While the agenda has not been finalized, I’d expect there to be significant coverage of how the new federal budget will impact Virginians. Find the committee’s information here.
You can find the Congressional Budget Office’s analysis of the federal spending legislation at this link. The Bipartisan Policy Center created this overview of the legislation’s associated costs.
One final note, Congress has the constitutional authority to appropriate future spending; however, through a process called “rescission,” previously appropriated funding can be cancelled or reduced. The President has made many requests for rescission packages, and congress is taking up some of them. For example, a recent rescission cancelled $1 billion in funding for public broadcasting, of which nearly $100 million went to Virginia. You can read more in this article from Virginia Public Media, who will be significantly affected.
Healthcare Policy Bootcamp
The House Health & Human Services Committee recently convened for a Healthcare Policy Bootcamp, a time for several agencies and officials to present on relevant issues, updates on their work, and what is on the horizon. You can watch a recording of the bootcamp at this link. You can find the agenda and presentations here.
Joint Subcommittee for Health and Human Resources Oversight
The Joint Subcommittee met recently to hear reports on federal actions, Children’s Services Act funding, Commonwealth Health Reinsurance impacts from federal actions, and more information on the health benefits exchange. You can find a link to the agenda and the presentations on the House Appropriations Committee webpage, here. The Richmond Times-Dispatch published this article highlighting the meeting, as well as the Department of Medical Assistance Service’s (DMAS) estimate that there could be $26 billion cut of funding.
Additionally, the Joint Commission on Healthcare met recently to receive reports from the Virginia Department of Health on nursing home regulations, as well as other federal impact analysis and updates. You can find the agenda and information here.
Graduate Medical Education
The Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority (VHWDA) is tasked with enhancing Virginia’s healthcare workforce, across the board and in specific industries that are in dire need. The VHWDA invests in Graduate Medical Education opportunities for rural Virginia, noting that doctors are likely to stay and continue practice in the area they did their residency. Through this investment, VHWDA is working to help get more doctors in the 70 counties that are medical care deserts in Virginia. The VHWDA will host a summit on this important topic August 21, at the Library of Virginia. You can learn more about the VHWDA’s work here.
Dementia Awareness & Resources
Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and other related neurodegenerative diseases are not only particularly difficult for patients and families, but they are also not well understood and can be difficult to diagnose. VCU is the home of the Virginia Center on Aging, which has several initiatives focused on increasing education and access to dementia care as well as developing research, most of which are coordinated by the Virginia Memory Project.
What we know is that three habits can greatly assist in the prevention of developing dementia: regular exercise, lifelong learning (especially skills), and socialization. Community initiatives seek to foster these habits for aging Virginians. The SPAN Center (Central Virginia’s Area Agency on Aging) coordinates Friendship Cafes at 20 locations across Central Virginia (more information here).
The Shepherd’s Center offers community as well as lifelong learning opportunities. Their program “Open University,” offers 8-week sessions, kicking off each Fall, Winter and Spring. Their Fall session begins September 22. More information here.
Additionally, VCU’s Cate Hawkes is beginning a pilot “Forget Me Knot Cafe,” with partners in the City to help guide patients and families living with Dementia. Cafes will begin in September.
Finally, Virginia Public Media created this four part series about “living with, caring for and improving the quality of life” for Dementia patients.
Back to School
August 18 is the first day of school for Pre-K, Kindergarten, 6 and 9 grades and August 19 is the first day for all remaining students at Richmond Public Schools. Richmond Public Schools has made this website available which links to required paperwork, a family checklist, resources for after school care, bus routes and more.
Richmond Tree Management
Recent strong summer storms have brought down several trees, causing some property damage and temporarily blocking some roadways. The City’s Urban Forestry Division manages the planting, pruning, inspection and removal of 120,000 city-owned trees. If a tree is on city property and you believe it may need pruning or maintenance, you can request an inspection through their customer care center (804-646-6430) or through RVA311. You can find more information, including a city-wide tree inventory, at this link.
For trees on your property, you can find tips for proper care in this website from the Department of Forestry. You should also note trees that encroach on neighboring property and ensure their maintenance, as you could be held liable for damages.
Atlantic Hurricane Season
As a reminder, Atlantic Hurricane Season began in June and runs through November. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued its hurricane forecast in May, with a 60% chance of a more active than normal season. Their predicted range of storms was 13-19 named storms, including 6-10 hurricanes and 3-5 major hurricanes (winds of 111mph and higher). This forecast, made with advanced modeling, carries a 70% confidence rating.
You can find preparedness guides and evacuation plans from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management at this website.
Thank You
It is an honor to serve in the House of Delegates. Please never hesitate to contact me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or at 804-698-1078 if I can be helpful to you.
Sincerely,
Betsy