WASHINGTON - The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) today approved its fiscal year 2021 bill by a vote of 9 to 6. For fiscal year 2021, the draft bill includes $196.5 billion in overall funding, an increase of $2.4 billion above the FY 2020 enacted level and $20.8 billion above the President’s 2021 budget request after accounting for offsets and adjustments. In addition, to rebuild the nation’s aged public health infrastructure, the bill provides $24.425 billion in emergency funding.
The bill next heads to the full Committee for markup.
“This spending bill determines the critical federal investments in health, labor, human services, and education, and builds on this subcommittee’s efforts at the center of the health and economic crises, both of which have exposed serious disparities," said House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro. “This legislation builds upon our previous emergency and supplemental response packages and represents our critical work to defeat the coronavirus, not surrender to it. From Early Head Start to Social Security, these programs touch individuals and families throughout their lifespan. With this bill, we help our constituents access new cures, new treatments, new research, and new protections to help them and their families live healthier lives. The programs in which we are investing create opportunities and allow America to realize its values and promise. We must work together to deliver the people in this country to the dawn of recovery, not abandon them to an economic collapse."
“This bill resoundingly rejects President Trump’s devastating budget cuts and instead increases investments in important priorities that support working families, improve health security, and build a stronger future for all Americans," said House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey. “Critically, the bill will strengthen our response to coronavirus and the accompanying economic crisis through robust funding for state and local public health departments, public health laboratories, and for the accelerated development and production of vaccines and therapeutics. With this bill, we are empowering families and communities and making the investments needed to keep up with America’s health care, education, and workforce needs, so every person has a better chance at a better life."
A summary of the bill is here. The full text of the bill is.
Source: U.S. Department of HCA
