House Republicans' Spending Plan for Remainder of FY 2011 Cuts Funds for Title X Family Planning, Health Reform Law

February 14, 2011 — House Republicans on Friday unveiled a revised version of their plan (HR 1) to fund the government from March 4 through the end of fiscal year 2011, proposing to eliminate funding for the Title X family planning program and to cut funds for a range of other health care programs, Politico reports (Nather, Politico, 2/11). The program helps provide family planning and reproductive health services to low-income women, including contraceptive counseling and supplies, pelvic and breast exams, safer-sex counseling, and basic infertility counseling. No Title X funds can be used for abortion services (Women's Health Policy Report, 2/10).

The spending plan also specifically targets a number of programs under the federal health reform law (PL 111-148), including eliminating funding for the director of the White House Office of Health Reform and for enforcement of the 1099 tax-reporting provision. According to Politico, the proposals are intended to be a "slap against" the overhaul, but the Office of Health Reform already has been "winding down" its operations -- in preparation for its likely merger with the National Economic Council or the Domestic Policy Council -- and there is bipartisan support for eliminating the 1099 tax-reporting provision.

The spending proposal also would reduce funds for preventive services under the new Prevention and Public Health Fund, the National Health Service Corps and community health centers, returning funding to 2008 levels and eliminating any increases provided under the health reform law. However, the legislation does not defund the reform law itself. Republicans this week are expected to introduce several broader measures to defund the health reform law (Politico, 2/11).

The House Republicans' spending proposal also would provide $9 billion less than President Obama's request for HHS in 2011 and $850 million less for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The House will begin debate on the measure Tuesday (Ethridge, CQ Today, 2/13).

Obama's 2012 Budget Proposal Released

President Obama on Monday releasd a $3.7 trillion budget proposal for 2012 that includes changes in health care spending, Politico reports. The administration estimates that the proposal will reduce the federal deficit by $1.1 trillion over the next 10 years.

Obama's proposal includes $1 billion in spending increases for the National Institutes of Health. In addition, the proposal provides $8.7 billion for Global Health and Child Survival programs.

It also would create $62 billion in Medicare savings over 10 years (Rogers, Politico, 2/14).