Last Friday, the president signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2018 (the Omnibus) passed by Congress the previous day. The Omnibus effectively keeps the government funded through September and includes a total budget authority of $78 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services, an increase of $10 billion over the amount enacted for fiscal year 2017.
Included in the Omnibus are investments in opioid abuse reduction, medical research, public health, biodefense, and efforts to boost job growth. The legislation includes $8.3 billion for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)–an increase of $1.1 billion above the fiscal year 2017 level–and includes $1.45 billion for CDC’s Public Health Preparedness and Response programs–an increase of $45 million.
SAMHSA Funding
The legislation funds Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at $5 billion–$1.3 billion above the fiscal year 2017–while maintaining a prohibition on federal funds for the purchase of syringes or sterile needles. SAMHSA funding includes $1.9 billion for the Substance Abuse Block Grant, $89 million for Criminal Justice activities, and more than $1.7 billion to address opioid and heroin abuse (up $1.5 billion over last year). This amount includes $500 million for the state opioid response grants authorized in the 21st Century Cures Act, along with funding for programs authorized in the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act.
CHC HRSA Funding
Funding for community health centers (CHCs) previously set to expire March 31, 2018 is now extended to September 2019. Funding levels increased from $3.6 billion in FY 2017, to $3.8 billion for FY 2018, to $4 billion for FY 2019. The legislation also authorizes supplemental grant awards to centers for implementing evidence-based models that increase access to high-quality primary care, which could focus on chronic conditions, telehealth, and behavioral health.
Funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) includes $7 billion for HRSA, $550 million above the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. This includes $110 million (a $7 million increase) for the Healthy Start program and $652 million (a $10 million increase) for the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant.
FDA, CHIP, WIC, and SNAP
Extends funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for four additional years, such that CHIP is now fully funded for 10 years through FY 2027, inclusive of the funding agreement previously set to expire on March 31, 2018.
The legislation also funds an increase in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) spending and food and nutrition programs such as Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (SNAP).
The text of the FY 2018 Omnibus can be viewed here.