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FY23 Appropriations Update
| The Senate released text of a continuing resolution this week, which must be passed by Congress by the end of the fiscal year on Friday, September 30. Read on to learn more about the status of the continuing resolution and what it means for health centers. |
| Community health centers receive a portion of their funding, known as discretionary funding, through the annual appropriations process. Health centers most recently received $1.7B in discretionary funding in the omnibus spending package passed earlier this year. Congress failed to pass the 12 FY23 appropriations bills, including appropriations for health centers prior to leaving for the August recess. Since their return from August recess, Congress has been negotiating a short-term continuing resolution to keep the government funded at current levels. |
| What is the status of the continuing resolution? |
| Congress made progress this week on a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government beyond Friday, September 30 when the current fiscal year ends. The Senate released text of the continuing resolution on Monday. The most controversial measure, Senator Joe Manchin's (D-WV) bill to streamline the process for energy infrastructure projects was ultimately cut from the CR due to disagreements in both chambers and within both parties over the measure.1 The CR will keep the government funded through December 16, ensuring community health centers will continue to receive level funding until Congress passes a more comprehensive spending package. In addition to level funding, the CR includes a permanent extension of Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) coverage for Volunteer Health Professionals who volunteer at health centers. The program was slated to sunset on September 30 without Congressional action. Funding for several other priorities was included in the CR released by the Senate including support for Ukraine, disaster relief in U.S. states, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and water infrastructure for Jackson, Mississippi. The Biden administration had been advocating for additional funding to respond to COVID-19 and monkeypox, but those priorities were not included. |
| What comes next for appropriations? |
| The Senate took a procedural vote yesterday evening to begin moving the CR forward, although they will still have to take final vote to pass the CR.2 The House will also have to pass the CR by Friday, September 30. The CR will keep the government funded through the mid-term elections, which may shift composition of the House. Congress may try to finalize a larger spending package when the current CR expires, or depending on outcomes in the mid-terms, pass another CR until the new Congress takes office. |
| [1] Frazin, R. (2022). Manchin Permitting Reform Cut from Spending Bill. The Hill. Retrieved from https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/3663763-manchin-asks-schumer-to-cut-permitting-from-spending-bill/ |
| [2] Quigley, A., & Lerman, D. (2022). Roll Call. Stopgap funding measure advances after permitting concession - Roll Call. Retrieved from https://rollcall.com/2022/09/27/manchin-relents-asks-schumer-to-drop-permitting-language/ |