Congress Reconvenes With a Full Plate - September 7, 2011

Both chambers of Congress return from the Summer District Work Period to face a set of daunting challenges. Most of the press is likely to focus on the 12-member Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (the “Super Committee”), which has until Nov. 23 to pass a series of policy changes that would reduce the federal budget deficit by $1.2 trillion over 10 years. Congress must also pass a number of appropriations bills—or stop-gap legislation—to keep the government running past the end of the current fiscal year—Sept. 30. NAPH is actively working to influence the work of the Super Committee. A key feature of our fall advocacy work is the upcoming Fall Conference and Clinician’s Legislative Event, Sept. 19–21. During this event, safety net hospital leaders from across the country will come to Washington to educate members of Congress about the critical work of public hospitals and the importance of protecting the Medicaid program.