Washington Posts –  The Latest:  December 16, 2019

Appropriations – The Congress and the Administration appear to have struck a deal on funding for FY 2020, along with many other issues as they head toward the December 20 deadline and the holiday recess. The end of the year funding bills will be passed and signed this week. The news is not what we wanted for GWEPs and GACAs. Those programs were level funded at $40.737 (the same as FY 2019).

Earlier in the year, the House passed Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill included an increase for the geriatrics programs by $2.647 million for a total of $43.384 million. The Senate bill provided level funding – $40.737 million. Unfortunately, the negotiations led to including the Senate’s lower amount.

Our goal was $51 million. We advocated for this amount in part to give HRSA resources to fund additional GWEP sites that had scored well in the most recent NOFO. It appears that Congress was not sympathetic to our case.

Regardless, thanks to all of you who advocated for the higher levels. Your time and energy are very much appreciated…and we’ll need it again next year!

Brian