Budget Brief 20-02
January 16, 2020
Summary 

Fiscal year (FY) 2020 appropriations were signed into law on December 20, 2019. This report describes funding and policy provisions in the budget affecting Health and Human Services (HHS) grant programs, which were included as part of the Labor/HHS/Education portion of the appropriations law as well as a separate division (Division N) addressing HHS extenders. Of note, the budget:

  • provides level funding or increases for most programs covered in this brief
  • funds new grants to address the opioid crisis, mental health, and substance use disorder
  • provides resources for the president’s Ending HIV Epidemic Initiative
  • extends funding for several mandatory programs through May 22, 2020
  • delays Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) cuts until May 23, 2020
  • repeals three Affordable Care Act (ACA) taxes, including the health insurance tax (effective in calendar year [CY] 2021)
  • raises the minimum age for the sale of tobacco products from 18 to 21
  • provides $500 million to support the Family First Prevention Services Act

The information in this brief is from legislative text, the explanatory statement accompanying the Labor/HHS/Education portion of the bill, and the House Appropriations Committee report (the explanatory statement indicates that House language should be complied with, unless specifically addressed to the contrary).