Appropriations - Fiscal Year 2011
In an effort to ensure full funding of essential federal rural health programs, NRHA is constantly monitoring the federal appropriations process. Here you will find the latest news, updates and supporting materials on the funding of federal rural health programs.
Please note, the federal fiscal year (FY) begins October 1 and ends September 30. The year mentioned in the FY 2011 portion refers to the calendar year at the end of the fiscal year. So, FY 2011 will take place from October 1, 2010, to September 30, 2011.
FY 2011 Appropriations Resources
- NRHA appropriations chart.
- Senate Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations report language
- Summary of President Obama's FY 2011 budget request for the Department of Health and Human Services.
- Budget Justification for Health Resources and Services Administration.
FY2011 Appropriations News
House and Senate Appropriations Committees begin considering Labor-HHS-Education bills
July 30, 2010 - The House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee marked up its draft bill July 15, providing for $76.7 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services; this is $3.8 billion more than FY 2010 and $270 million more than the president requested. The Health Resources and Services Administration, home to the rural health safety net programs, would receive $7.616 billion under the proposal, which is a $99 million increase over the previous fiscal year but $20 million less than the president's request. To see the Subcommittee's summary, click here.
Only overall agency numbers are released by the Subcommittee. Funding information for individual programs will become available after the entire House Appropriations Committee has considered the bill, which will not happen before September.
The Senate Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee marked up its draft bill on July 27 and the full Committee followed suit on July 29. The bill includes $7.516 billion for HRSA. As expected, most rural health safety net programs are funded at the same level as FY 2010. Notably, the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth received a $3 million increase and the Rural Physician Training Grant program, newly created under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, received $5.1 million. To see the Subcommittee's summary, click here.
Because of the current fiscal climate and the upcoming elections, it is unlikely that Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bills will be considered by the full House or Senate in the near future. According to Senate Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA), "this bill probably won't see the light of day until December, maybe January." This means that funding for the programs and departments included in the bill will most likely be continued at FY 2010 levels by a continuing resolution passed before the end of the fiscal year, September 30.
Senate Rural Health Caucus and House Coaltion Send Appropriations Letters
April 22, 2010 - The Senate Rural Health Caucus and the House Rural Health Care Coalitons sent letters signed by their colleagues asking for their support in the upcoming budget process. The letters asked for continued support of important rural health care programs such as more funding for National Health Services Corps and more funding for telemedicine advancement. To see the letters sent please click here for the Senate or here for the House.
NRHA Submits Testimony to Appropriations Committees
April 22, 2010 - The National Rural Health Association submitted testimony to both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. NRHA asked for full funding for several critical rural health programs and for the funding of several grants to continue advancing health information technology. To see NRHA testimony sent to the House please click here or click here for testimony sent to the Senate.
President's budget request for FY 2011 released
February 1, 2010 - President Obama's budget request for FY 2011 was made public. As expected, rural health programs were largely funded at FY 2010 levels. Rural health network and outreach grants received an increase of $1.3 million and the President requested an additional $16 million for the National Health Services Corps. This request follows President Obama's announcement of his intention to freeze funding for all non-defense discretionary programs in light of the economic situation.
Fortunately, the rural health safety net programs have received strong funding increases in the past few years, but NRHA has still requested modest, but necessary increases for FY 2011 to ensure their continued success.
