Sep 29 2008
Appropriations Update
In response to the fact that no single Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 appropriations bill has been enacted this year, the House passed on Wednesday an omnibus continuing appropriations bill to fund most government programs – including TBI and trauma-related programs - at Fiscal 2008 (last year’s) levels until March 6, 2009.
The package includes a Continuing Resolution (CR) which funds programs covered by nine unfinished appropriations bills (including the Fiscal 2009 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill, which contains funding for key federal TBI programs) at Fiscal 2008 levels until enactment of the bills or March 6, 2009 - whichever comes first.
Within this CR, all civilian health programs, including TBI and trauma-related programs, are funded at Fiscal 2008 levels.
In addition to the CR to provide continuing appropriations for most federal programs, the omnibus bill also includes three Fiscal 2009 appropriations bills in their entirety. These three appropriations bills are those that fund Defense, Homeland Security and Military Construction-VA for all of FY 2009. BIAA is currently working to clarify funding in these bills related to TBI.
The Senate has not taken final action on this omnibus spending package, but House Appropriations Committee Chairman Obey has reportedly reached agreement on the measure with Senate leadership, and the Senate plans to consider the bill on Saturday, September 27.
