House passes HHS appropriations bill for FY 2020

The House of Representatives yesterday voted 226-203 to approve a package of four appropriations bills for fiscal year 2020, which includes legislation that would provide $189.9 billion in base discretionary funding for the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education and related agencies. According to a committee summary, the HHS provisions include $99.4 billion for the department, $8.9 billion more than this year and $21.3 billion more than the president’s budget request. Specific increases include $2 billion more for the National Institutes of Health; $485 million more for the Health Resources and Services Administration; $315 million more for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; $129 million more for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; and $35 million more for Hospital Preparedness Program grants. The bill also includes $50 million for research to prevent firearm injury and death.