From Peggy R. Garrett
The White House released its budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2020.
Many in the disability community expressed concerns regarding program
eliminations and
spending cuts. It is important to keep in mind that our government is
a system of checks and balances. One check that Congress has over the
whims of the
executive is the power of the purse, as laid down in the U.S.
Constitution. a president’s budget proposal is as much a political
messaging document as
a policy document. We anticipate the newly elected Democratic majority
in the House of Representatives, where all funding bills must
originate, to view
many of the Executive’s policy recommendations with a healthy dose of
skepticism. Along with our allies in the cross-disability community,
the ACB National
Office is monitoring the actions of the Administration and Congress
very closely, and we will alert our membership of any significant
developments. That
said, below is a list of the budget proposals with the potential to
directly impact ACB members.
Medicare
The White House budget proposal would reduce Medicare spending by $575
billion over the next ten years by reducing wasteful spending,
provider payments,
and lowering prescription drug prices.
Medicaid
The White House budget proposal would reduce Medicaid spending by $1.5
trillion over the next ten years, would implement work requirements,
and create
$1.2 trillion block grants for the states. The net reduction in value
for Medicaid is projected to be $777 billion.
Social Security
The White House budget plans to reduce Social Security Disability
Insurance spending by $10 billion over the next ten years.
Department of Education
Programs authorized under the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act are level funded.
Vocational Rehabilitation Programs
list of 3 items
• Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants would receive $3,610,000,000,
a 2.5% increase ($88,010,000 increase) from FY 2019.
• Supported Employment State Grants is zeroed out, a $22,548,000 decrease.
• Services for Older Blind Individuals would receive $33,317,000, level funded.
list end
In addition, the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths
and Adults would receive $10,300,000, a 23.7% decrease ($3,200,000
decrease) in funding
from FY 2019.
Under Special Institutions for Persons with Disabilities:
list of 3 items
• American Printing House for the Blind would receive $25,400,000, a
16.53% decrease ($5,031,000 decrease) in funding from FY 2019.
• National Technical Institute for the Deaf would receive $70,000,000,
a %9.68% decrease ($7,500,000 decrease) from FY 2019.
• Gallaudet University would receive $121,300,000, a 9.72% decrease
($13,061,000 decrease) from FY 2019.
list end
The budget proposal also proposes to eliminate 29 programs for an
annual savings of $6.7 billion. Those programs include:
list of 29 items
• Special Olympics Education Programs, which were funded at $17,600,000.
• 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which were funded at $1,221,700,000.
• Alaska Native Education, which was funded at $35,000,000
• American History and Civics Education, which was funded at $4,800,000.
• Arts in Education, which was funded at $29,000,000.
• Comprehensive Centers, which were funded at $52,000,000.
• Comprehensive Literacy Development Grants, which were funded at $190,000,000.
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, which were
funded $840,000,000.
• Full-Service Community Schools, which were funded at $17,500,000.
• Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, which was
funded at $5,000,000.
• Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs,
which were funded at $360,000,000.
• Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need, which was funded at
$23,000,000.
• Impact Aid Payments for Federal Property, which were funded at $74,300,000.
• Innovative Approaches to Literacy, which were funded $27,000,000.
• International Education and Foreign Language Studies Domestic
Programs, which were funded at $65,100,000.
• International Education and Foreign Language Studies Overseas
Programs, which were funded at $7,100,000.
• Javits Gifted and Talented Education, which was funded at $12,000,000.
• Native Hawaiian Education, which was funded at $36,000,000.
• Promise Neighborhoods, which were funded at $78,300,000.
• Ready to Learn Programming, which was funded at $27,700,000.
• Regional Educational Laboratories, which were funded at $55,400,000.
• Statewide Family Engagement Centers, which were funded at $10,000,000.
• Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems, which were funded at $32,300,000.
• Strengthening Institutions, which were funded at $99,900,000.
• Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants, which were funded at
$1,170,000,000.
• Supported Employment State Grants, which were funded at $22,500,000.
• Supporting Effective Educator Development, which was funded at $75,000,000.
• Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants, which were funded at
$2,055,800,000.
• Teacher Quality Partnership, which was funded at $43,100,000.
list end
Clark Rachfal
Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs
American Council of the Blind (ACB)
1703 N. Beauregard Street, Suite 420
Alexandria, VA 22311
Main: 202-467-5081
Learn more about us at
www.acb.org
