Senate approves $3.5 trillion budget resolution, infrastructure bill

This week, the Senate approved a $3.5 trillion budget resolution using reconciliation, a process which allows the majority party to pass Senate legislation with just 51 votes, rather than meeting the usual 60-vote threshold. Workforce investments, including funding for the National Health Service Corps and the Nurse Corps, were included in the resolution. Other health care initiatives included a continuation of expanded Affordable Care Act subsidies; an expansion of Medicare to cover hearing, dental and vision benefits and lowering the eligibility age; home health care benefits for seniors and persons with disabilities; addressing inequities in health care; and reducing prescription drug costs. This week, the Senate also approved a bipartisan infrastructure bill, which aligns with health systems’ priorities. (AONL News article, 8/12/21)