House releases FY 2020 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill

The House Appropriations Committee yesterday released draft legislation that would provide $189.8 billion in discretionary funding for the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and related agencies in fiscal year 2020, $11.7 billion more than the 2019 enacted level. According to a committee summary, the draft bill would provide $99 billion for HHS, $8.5 billion more than this year and $20.9 billion more than the president’s budget request. Specific increases include $2 billion more for the National Institutes of Health; $475 million more for the Health Resources and Services Administration; $315 million more for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; $115 million more for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; and $35 million more for Hospital Preparedness Program grants. The draft bill also includes $50 million for research to prevent firearm injury and death. The legislation will be considered in subcommittee starting later today.