Latest news with #Glenn"GT"Thompson
Newsweek
02-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Map Shows How SNAP Bills Would Rise For States Under Trump Bill
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Senate lawmakers have passed their version of the sprawling One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and within it are some significant changes to the funding of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that will impact every state in America. Why It Matters The bill, which is the central tenet of President Donald Trump's fiscal agenda, marks the biggest overhaul to SNAP benefits in recent years, with implications for the 40 million recipients across the country. Republicans have said the changes will better defend the integrity of the program, while critics of the bill have warned that already strained state budgets will not be able to cope with the extra financial demand, with some warnings that states could drop out of the program entirely. Senate Bill Changes Explained The bill proposes shifting more of the financial burden for the food stamps program onto states. Currently, states split the administrative costs of SNAP evenly with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), while the USDA covers the full cost of the benefits. The measures propose that states be required to pay a portion of the benefit cost, but only if they have high payment error rates. An error payment (also called an improper payment) means that the amount of benefits issued to a household was incorrect — either too high or too low. This can happen due to recipient reporting errors or miscalculations by the administering state agency. Under the Senate plan, states with an error rate less than 6 percent would not have to share the cost of benefits with the federal government. For states with rates above this, they will need to pay according to how high their error rate is: 6 to 8 percent: 5 percent cost-share 8 to 10 percent: 10 percent cost-share 10 percent or greater: 15 percent cost-share Here is what each state would be required to pay, as a percentage, based on their 2024 error rate: Support House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson and Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman, both Republicans, said the USDA has "failed at maintaining program integrity" and will incentivize states to reduce improper payments. On June 29, the White House said the "mission of the program has failed" and that the bill "promotes work, responsibility, and restores SNAP to serve the truly needy." Criticism Critics have warned the measures could have far-reaching consequences on state finances and, in turn, SNAP recipients. Several states have warned they will have to pay hundreds of millions per year to shore up benefits for recipients. For example, Michigan previously warned that cost-sharing would set the state back $800 million per year under House-approved rules, which mandated states pay up to 25 percent of the cost of benefits. If increased bills on state coffers prove unaffordable, states can stop offering federal food assistance altogether. In a letter to Senate and House minority and majority leaders, all 23 Democratic Governors warned against the policy, arguing it would "effectively gut this critical food assistance that helps families with children, older adults, and working people afford the rising cost of groceries and put food on the table." "The combination of massive cost increase to states, the unpredictability of how much a state will be on the hook for from year to year, and the need for states to balance their budgets creates a significant risk that states have to leave SNAP altogether," the letter reads. What People Are Saying The White House said in a memo published on June 29: "The One Big Beautiful Bill protects and strengthens SNAP. Right now, almost three-quarters of able-bodied adults without dependents on SNAP have no earned income and the fraud rate is high. The mission of the program has failed: SNAP was intended to be temporary help for those who encounter tough times. Now, it's become so bloated that it is leaving fewer resources for those who truly need help. We are committed to preserving SNAP for the truly needy." Representative Glenn "GT" Thompson and Senator John Boozman, said in response to the USDA publication of 2024 error rates: "Another year, another troubling payment error rate in SNAP, a clear sign that the program lacks the state accountability measures hardworking taxpayers deserve. The status quo, slap-on-the-wrist penalties from USDA have failed at maintaining program integrity in SNAP. This is exactly why we need to get the One Big Beautiful Bill to the President's desk. Its historic reforms will give states skin in the game on SNAP benefits and ensure they have a real incentive to improve oversight and stop improper payments before they happen." The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities think tank said in its analysis of the Senate proposals: "The Senate Agriculture Committee proposal would slash billions in federal funding for food assistance and impose those costs on states for the first time. This would likely lead many states to cut food assistance for low-income families, worsening hunger and undermining SNAP's ability to meet greater need when the economy weakens. States could even end SNAP altogether if they decide the costs they would bear are too great." What Happens Next SNAP cost-sharing rules will come into force in 2028 if the bill becomes law. The bill now heads back to the House of Representatives, where lawmakers will cast a final vote. If it passes, it will head to President Trump's desk to be signed into law.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Vizient Hosts Congressional Briefing on the Complexities of Hospital Financing
IRVING, Texas, May 15, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yesterday on Capitol Hill, Vizient, Inc. hosted a congressional policy briefing titled, "Hospitals' Financial Health: The Complex Ecosystem of Provider Reimbursement," at the Rayburn House Office Building. The event featured remarks from Rep. Dave Min (D-CA) and drew an engaged audience of congressional staff and industry stakeholders. While unable to attend in person, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA) and Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) shared remarks in support of the briefing. The discussion focused on how hospitals are navigating a complex financial environment shaped by shifting reimbursement models, evolving policy changes, and increasing care demands. "Academic medical centers like UCI Health are training future clinicians while delivering essential care," said Rep. Min (D-CA). "However, growing financial pressures, especially around Medicaid reimbursement, threaten their ability to keep their doors open. We need to advance policies that ensure reliable reimbursement and protect access to care for all Californians." "As a former therapist and licensed nursing home administrator, I've seen first-hand the essential need for access to quality care," said Rep. Thompson (R-PA). "Reliable health systems are necessary for the health and economic well-being of rural communities. I look forward to working with all stakeholders to strengthen quality, lower costs, and increase the availability of care." "In neighborhoods across Orange County, hospitals are essential for delivering care, supporting jobs, and keeping our families healthy," said Rep. Correa (D-CA). "When hospitals in our district face financial strain, the ripple effects are real and immediate. We need strong, common-sense public policy that ensures hard-working American taxpayers have access to the care they need when they need it." Moderated by Michael D. Busch, FACHE, senior vice president, member networks at Vizient, the panel featured key healthcare leaders, including: Stephanie Daubert, Chief Financial Officer, Nebraska Medicine Steven M. Fontaine, Chief Executive Officer, Penn Highlands Healthcare Randolph P. Siwabessy, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, UCI Health & UC Irvine School of Medicine Panelists discussed the growing financial instability facing hospitals, particularly given the uncertainty around governmental funding. As noted during the briefing, hospitals are a unique combination of public utility, clinical enterprise, and academic mission, which makes their financing inherently complex. Adjusting one policy can unintentionally unravel other parts due to the system's interconnectedness. Panelists also highlighted rising operating costs, persistent labor shortages, delayed reimbursements, and the widening gap between payment rates and the actual cost of care, especially for Medicaid and Medicare patients. The panel underscored the need for sustainable policy solutions to protect hospital viability and patient access, highlighting priorities such as stabilizing government reimbursement programs, protecting safety net payments and programs and preserving graduate medical education support. Learn more about Vizient's advocacy and public policy efforts. About Vizient, Inc. Vizient, Inc., the nation's largest provider-driven healthcare performance improvement company, serves more than 65% of the nation's acute care providers, including 97% of the nation's academic medical centers, and more than 35% of the non-acute market. The Vizient contract portfolio represents $140 billion in annual purchasing volume enabling the delivery of cost-effective, high-value care. With its acquisition of Kaufman Hall in 2024, Vizient expanded its advisory services to help providers achieve financial, strategic, clinical and operational excellence. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Vizient has offices throughout the United States. Learn more at View source version on Contacts Media ContactDonna Ledbetter(972)
Newsweek
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
SNAP Benefit Rules Could Change for Children Aged 7 and Above
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. House Republicans are considering changing the definition of dependents for some Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries. Why It Matters SNAP benefits are paid to low- and no-income households across the U.S. that would otherwise struggle to afford groceries. In 2024, the program reached some 41 million Americans. The new proposal would be part of Republicans' budget legislation currently being considered by lawmakers in the House of Representatives. As part of the bill, $230 billion in spending cuts were ordered by the House Agriculture Committee, which oversees the program. Among the changes are a widening of the ages at which work requirements apply, more stringent identity and certification checks, and making states bear more of the administrative costs of the national anti-poverty program. What To Know Under current SNAP regulations, adults classified as ABAWD (able-bodied adult without dependents) are exempt from having to meet SNAP work requirements—80 hours a month—if they have someone under 18 years of age in their household. But under the new definition touted in the legislation, this would be lowered to 7 years old. Stock image of child handling a vegetable in a grocery store. Stock image of child handling a vegetable in a grocery store. GETTY There are some exceptions to the proposed rule. It would not apply to homeless people, veterans, benefit recipients who are 24 years of age or younger, and those who were in foster care under a state's care responsibility when they turn 18 years old. The work requirement would not apply if the adult is married and lives with someone who already complies with SNAP regulations. Unmarried couples with a child over 7 in their home would not qualify for such an exemption. According to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), there are some 3 million SNAP receiving adults who live with dependents who could be impacted by the definition change, as well as 4 million children aged between 7 and 17. What People Are Saying A spokesperson for Glenn "GT" Thompson, the Republican chair of the House Agriculture committee, previously told Newsweek: "The chairman is doing his due diligence to leave no stone unturned in finding reforms that will curb wasteful spending and that includes looking at how states administer SNAP, which spends over $13 billion per year in erroneous payments. All options to rein in that waste and incentivize better state administration of the program are on the table." The House Committee on Agriculture said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: "Our budget reconciliation text restores SNAP to its original intent—promoting work, not welfare—while saving taxpayer dollars and investing in American agriculture." The CBPP in an April 30 report: "If an adult is cut off SNAP, food benefits are decreased for their entire household. As a result, the more than 4 million children aged 7 through 17 who live in these households would be at risk of living in a household without enough food assistance to feed the family." What Happens Next With Republicans in control of both the House and Senate, the reconciliation bill is expected to move forward, with a potential House vote targeted for mid-June.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
U.S. Crypto Market Structure Bill Unveiled by House Lawmakers
Crypto's big show in the U.S. Congress has been unveiled in the form of a discussion draft of legislation that would establish for the first time a comprehensive domestic regime for regulating digital assets. The House Financial Services Committee and House Agriculture Committee — both sharing responsibility for the jurisdiction-hoping assets — released a working draft of a bill on Monday that Representative French Hill, chairman of the financial-services panel, said can deliver "much-needed regulatory clarity." "Today marks the first step in advancing a comprehensive framework that protects consumers, fosters innovation, and closes regulatory gaps in oversight," said Representative Glenn "GT" Thompson, chairman on the agricultural committee, which has oversight of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission that will likely have a major role in crypto oversight. "It will give digital asset developers and users the certainty they need and have asked for. On Tuesday, the digital assets subcommittees of both House committees are set to hold a joint hearing on the future of digital assets, where the discussion draft will be under the spotlight. The draft details the public disclosures that crypto projects would be required to make. It also provides for digital assets developers to raise capital under the Securities and Exchange Commission's watch, or to register with the CFTC to handle the trading of digital commodities. The bill is meant to finally establish "clear lines" between the jurisdictions of the two U.S. markets regulators, a question that's been a thorn in the side of U.S. crypto businesses. This proposed format for the long-awaited crypto legislation, built on a similar first effort called the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT21) that advanced through the House last year, emerges as the industry's allies in Congress have been working urgently on a separate legislative effort to regulate stablecoins. The stablecoin and market-structure bills represent the primary lobbying effort for crypto in the U.S., though advocates are fighting the headwinds of President Donald Trump's own crypto business interests that have drawn Democratic criticism. Stablecoin bills have already advanced through House and Senate committees and are awaiting consideration by the overall chambers. Three of the leading crypto lobbying organizations issued a joint statement on Monday urging the Senate to get on with the debate for its version of the stablecoin bill, the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act. The leaders of the Blockchain Association, Crypto Council for Innovation and the Digital Chamber asked for Senate support to "move us one step closer to enacting a bipartisan stablecoin framework." Adds statement from crypto groups on stablecoin legislation.
