Category: Advocacy

On Tuesday, November 30, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana granted a preliminary injunction effectively preventing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) from enforcing its vaccine mandate rule nationwide.  While the Court’s ruling was based on a lawsuit brought by only 14 states, given the scope of the mandate and the previous injunction granted Monday, November 29, by another District Court preventing enforcement in 10 other states, the Louisiana court indicated that its ruling would cover all remaining states not already under the previous injunction “due to the need for uniformity.”

While the Biden Administration has indicated that it plans to appeal the rulings, as of now, CMS is prevented from requiring compliance with the vaccination mandate’s Dec. 6 deadline for most healthcare workers to have first round shots completed. The final deadline for full vaccinations was set at Jan. 4.

This court ruling follows a three-state (Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee) injunction against enforcement of a vaccine mandate for federal contractors and a nationwide injunction on enforcement of the similar mandate issued by The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA.)  Lutheran Services in America has submitted comments on the OSHA mandate.  Lutheran Services in America has prepared a summary of the CMS rule, and will be submitting comments to CMS sharing questions and concerns from our network members.

Please contact Sarah Dobson, Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, at sdobson@lutheranservices.org to share your input as we prepare our official comments on the CMS mandate.

For further information, please contact Sarah Dobson, Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, at sdobson@lutheranservices.org or Josh Dubensky, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, LSA-DN, at jdubensky@lutheranservices.org.

Disagreements between progressive and moderate factions of the Democratic party must be resolved before final vote can take place.

The White House released a $1.75 trillion framework Thursday for the “Human Infrastructure Plan,” also known as the Build Back Better Act. The framework marks a significant reduction from the originally anticipated $3.5 trillion package, but still represents one of the largest federal investments in social spending programs in history. However, timeline for final passage remains unclear. Legislative text is still in draft form, and key moderates Sens. Manchin and Sinema have still not committed to voting for the bill. Progressives in the House remain united against advancing the Senate’s bipartisan infrastructure bill until they receive more details and a guarantee of passage of the Build Back Better Act. It is likely the bills will move together in the House to ensure both factions are satisfied.

The President’s framework notably included $150 billion for home and community-based services. This money would set up a permanent FMAP increase for states if they agree to expand HCBS eligibility and services and improve wages for direct care workers. This represents an historic investment in HCBS, but until the Build Back Better Act is passed nothing is final. That is why Lutheran Services in America continues to advocate for key provisions that would help address the acute workforce shortage and expand access to home and community-based services. Specifically, we are advocating for a final package that includes:

• $150 billion to incentivize states to deliver or improve home- and community-based service programs, including through increasing wages and benefits for direct care workers;
• $1.48 billion for a grant program funding strategies to recruit and retain direct care workers; and
• the provisions of the WORK NOW Act to create a $50 billion grant program supporting nonprofits in paying wages and benefits.
  Please join us in this effort through our advocacy alert.

By Sarah Dobson, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, and Christopher Findlay, Senior Marketing Manager

Congress is scheduled to adjourn in about two weeks and not return until after the election—but lawmakers have still not passed an additional COVID-19 relief package that addresses the ongoing needs most important to our members as outlined in our key priorities and our ongoing advocacy. We are asking lawmakers to address the urgent remaining needs of nonprofit health and human services providers, and to do so now:

• Access to forgivable loans for nonprofits of all sizes
• An increase in the federal unemployment insurance reimbursement for self-funded nonprofits to 100 percent of costs
• Additional targeted financial resources for nonprofit front line health and human services providers
• Increased funding of $2 billion for vulnerable children and youth
• A strong infusion of additional fiscal relief for state and local governments

Financial relief for nonprofits is needed urgently. Our hope is that lawmakers will recognize the importance of additional support for the 1,400 communities who rely on our network’s vital services and provide funding before leaving Washington.

By Shane McCampbell, Pastor at New Fellowship Christian Church and a non-partisan candidate for Des Moines County Supervisor

Prior to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, African Americans in the South faced extreme obstacles to voting, including bureaucratic restrictions, poll taxes, impossible literacy test questions, (like “How many bubbles are in a bar of soap” . . . really!), threats and even violence to deny or suppress the so-called Colored vote. But no matter the trials, they would not be denied. It’s hard to believe the encompassing struggle of the Negro in the Sixties when we look at voting rights in this current day, and to observe a lackadaisical attitude of even a few Afro-Americans is frustrating and disappointing to say the least. As a Black man I recognize that voting is as important today as it was in the Sixties (as there are still many inequities) and I’m sending out an APB to all legal voters to declare your citizenship at the polls and to come to the realization that tomorrow’s failures will be a direct result of today’s inactivity. There is no literacy test or poll tax anymore and though there are other ways to dissuade African Americans and minorities we must continue to persevere . . . again.

Reauthorization: to authorize (something or someone) again, especially to renew the authority or effective legal power, warrant, or right of.

The Reauthorization Act of 2006 is the latest version of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and I only bring this up as I emphasize even more the urgency for political activity in the melonated community. Just the fact there is a Voting Rights Act to begin with, and to top it all off, a need to put it on a sunset and have to review (again) what our rights will look like in 2026… There’s your sign! It’s time to declare what your rights will look like in 2020, 2026 and into perpetuity at the ballot box. This is the time to find and elect promise keepers. The kind that don’t need a reauthorization… Those whom God hath authorized, can humans reauthorize? If a person’s rights can be altered or changed, do they really have rights to begin with?

The African American, Afro American, Colored, Negro, Black or melonated person must have all the rights afforded to every other person with impartiality, according to the laws of God (and God wrote them on stone) and that’s good enough for me! We must be active politically to ensure that we get those rights and respect must be paid to those who have come before us by relentless participation… and maybe one day, we can all be recognized as citizens of The United States of America. You know, Americans.

I wanted to close by saying something extremely profound that would cause the reader to cogitate deeply and maybe cause them to inquire and take action. As I was giving that thought, my daughter walked into my office and said, “KISS…Keep it simple, stupid” and she walked away without another word. I think her advice was wise and I will therefore follow after wisdom and close out with four simple steps (no need to overcomplicate things).

1. Listen to the Candidates promises and see if they are in line with your views and needs.
2. Check the candidates past promises and see if they were kept.
3. Choose a Candidate.
4. Take action and Vote!

What is most important for all people throughout minority communities is to seek out those talented individuals who have a heart to serve and elect your own candidate instead of electing someone else’s candidate.  Let’s use our voices, use our power, and vote!

Link to a 1964 literacy test taken by Harvard students.

By Sarah Dobson, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, and Christopher Findlay, Senior Marketing Manager

Congressional leaders are currently negotiating a year-end package to fund the government for the remainder of fiscal year 2021. While efforts are underway to include some COVID-19 relief priorities—including additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program and the Provider Relief Fund—Lutheran Services in America is pushing Members of Congress to ensure that all our crucial priorities are included in what is likely to be the last legislative package for the year. These priorities include:

• Access to forgivable loans for nonprofits of all sizes, including those with 500+ employees.
• An increase in the federal unemployment insurance reimbursement for self-funded nonprofits to 100 percent of costs
• Additional targeted financial resources for nonprofit front line health and human services providers.
• Increased funding of $2 billion for vulnerable children and youth
• A strong infusion of additional fiscal relief for state and local governments

Nonprofits need help now. Lawmakers must address the urgent remaining needs of nonprofit health and human services providers before adjourning this month. The future of our network’s service to the most vulnerable in our communities depends on new legislation.

Your participation is more important than ever; join us in writing to your lawmakers.

Last week, the House Ways and Means Committee held hearings to consider and revise its portion of the next COVID relief package (known collectively as the “American Rescue Plan.”) Committee members amended the original version of the bill to expand to 75 percent (from 50 percent) an existing CARES Act subsidy for costs incurred by employers who provide unemployment benefits on a reimbursable basis, as well as retaining an extension of the expiration date through August 29. The original language merely extended the expiration date of the program.

While this is a step in the right direction, Lutheran Services in America and our network continue to advocate for a 100 percent reimbursement for self-funded nonprofits. The bill is currently being finalized in the House, where a vote is expected around February 26.  Senate consideration will follow.

Join us in urging lawmakers to support this provision, and to further expand the program going forward.

By Sarah Dobson, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy

Last week, the House Ways and Means Committee held hearings to consider and revise its portion of the next COVID relief package (known collectively as the “American Rescue Plan.”) Committee members amended the original version of the bill to expand to 75 percent (from 50 percent) an existing CARES Act subsidy for costs incurred by employers who provide unemployment benefits on a reimbursable basis, as well as retaining an extension of the expiration date through August 29. The original language merely extended the expiration date of the program.

While this is a step in the right direction, Lutheran Services in America and our network continue to advocate for a 100 percent reimbursement for self-funded nonprofits. The bill is currently being finalized in the House, where a vote is expected around February 26.  Senate consideration will follow.

Join us in urging lawmakers to support this provision, and to further expand the program going forward.

By Sarah Dobson, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy

The application period for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) through which the Small Business Administration (SBA) makes forgivable loans available to certain nonprofits will expire on March 31.  Therefore, if you are currently eligible and have not yet applied, it is very important that you do so as soon as possible.  Also, certain other nonprofits are expected to become eligible for funding after the American Rescue Plan COVID relief bill is signed into law (anticipated by March 14) and should prepare NOW in order to be ready to apply.

For more information about this program and application requirements, including possible required documentation, please see below, check our Federal Funding Opportunities webpage, and contact your lender.  If you will only become eligible under the anticipated expansion of the program, it is especially important to get ready now to be able to apply quickly, given the short timeframe between expected enactment of the law and the program’s expiration.

Current Program Status

A 14-day exclusive application period for entities with fewer than 20 employees began on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at 9 am ET and will end on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at 5pm ET.  All applications already submitted by lenders to the SBA before the start of the exclusivity period will still be processed by SBA. During the two-week period, SBA will not accept new applications from lenders for businesses and nonprofits with 20 or more employees, so that lenders can focus on serving smaller companies. Once the exclusivity period ends, lenders will be able to submit PPP loan applications for all sizes of currently eligible businesses and nonprofits again.

Loans Currently Available

• “First Draw” loans for entities with fewer than 500 employees total who have not already received funding
• “Second Draw” loans for entities that:
• have already received and spent an initial PPP loan
• have no more than 300 employees, and
• can demonstrate a 25% reduction in gross receipts.

Anticipated Upcoming Program Expansion

We anticipate that when the American Rescue Plan COVID relief bill becomes law, on or before March 14, a third category of eligibility will be created for nonprofits with 500 or more employees across multiple locations, but with no more than 500 employees at a single one of those locations.  Additional funding is being made available exclusively for this category.

By Sarah Dobson, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy