President Obama released his proposed budget for FFY 2011 on February 1. The Health and Human Services part of the 2011 budget shows $915.5 billion in federal expenditures, a 3.9 percent increase over 2010. Funding items critical to state and local health care organizations include:
A proposed six month extension of the temporary increases in Federal medical assistance percentages (FMAP) that had been enacted under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The six month extension represents $25.5 billion in increased FMAP that will be available through June 30, 2011 for Medicaid, and $214 million for Title IV-E, if Congress approves this extension.
- A continuation of Money Follows the Person (MFP) Medicaid demonstration grant funding authority under current law, $449 million in FFY 2011, to help individuals transfer from institutions back to their communities with needed services and supports.
- A $290 million increase in Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant funding to community health centers, including funds to promote the integration of behavioral health services into primary care health systems.
- A $261 million increase in Agency for Health Research and Quality (AHRQ) funding for "patient-centered health research", to foster dissemination of evidence-based information for clinicians and patients on cost-effective treatment options.
- A $102 million increase in Administration on Aging (AoA) funding under a new Caregiver Initiative promoting services and supports to help elderly persons avoid nursing home placement and remain in their homes.
- A $17 million increase in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grants to help mentally ill persons facing homelessness and a $12 million increase in SAMHSA grants to support evidence-based mental health and substance abuse prevention services for children.
