By Jamey Helgeson

LIFE Mower County

The 67th annual meeting and awards is open to all members, donors, volunteers and supporters of LIFE Mower County.

Celebrate our accomplishments from 2018 and see what LIFE Mower County has planned next from 6:30-8 p.m. on Monday, May 20.  ​RSVP by calling 507-433-8994 or email info@lifemowercounty.org

2019 Award Recipients:

• Community Partner of the Year — Austin Eagles Club – Aerie 703 and Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center​
• Direct Service Professional of the Year —  Brian Lewis
• Distinguished Service Award — John Wright, KAUS
• Professional of the Year —  April VonRuden, Mower County 4-H
• Robert Qual Memorial Self-Advocated of the Year — Angel Horvat and Steven Mallan
• Volunteer of the Year — Roger Mallan

Health/LTSS: Representatives introduce Medicare for America Act

On May 1, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and 14 other co-sponsors introduced the Medicare for America Act (H.R.2452). The bill expands Medicare to cover all persons not covered by employer-sponsored health insurance. Additionally, it expands Medicare’s benefit package to include long term services and supports (LTSS), among other things.

Budget and Appropriations: House subcommittee approves FY 2020 L-HHS-Ed Funding Bill

On April 30, the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (L-HHS-ED) approved its funding bill for fiscal year (FY) 2020. The bill provides $189.8 billion in funding, a seven percent increase over FY 2019. It includes several increases of interest to the disability community, such as an increase in Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B funding of $1 billion (eight percent); $3 billion for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Grants, $178 million above the fiscal year 2019 enacted level; and $245 million for Family Caregivers Services, an increase of $26 million above the 2019 enacted level.

However, detailed line item information for most programs will not be available until May 8 when the full committee mark-up is scheduled to take place. While the House is moving forward with its spending bills, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) said his committee will not markup any bills until a budget deal is reached to raise the spending caps for both defense and non-defense discretionary (NDD) programs. Absent a budget deal, NDD funding (which supports numerous disability programs) is facing a nine percent cut in FY 2020.

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Upcoming Events

• May 13-16: Spring 2019 Vacation to Rapid City, South Dakota
• May 17: Wii Bowling and Bean Bag Tournament
• May 18: Date Night
• May 20: 67th Annual Meeting and Awards
• May 21: Movie and Munchies
• May 22: Track and Field
• May 23: Kitchen Creations
• May 24: Fun With STEM