Allied Health in the 110th Congress

By John Colbert

Moss McGee Bradley and Colbert

810 First Street, NW Suite 530

Washington, DC 20002202-842-4723

www.mmbcpublicaffairs.com

What are you thoughts about Congress?

Are you satisfied with their performance?

32%

62%

29%

53%

24%

60%

Approve Disapprove

George W. Bush

Job Approval Ratings

Democrats in Congress

Republicans in Congress

Stronglydisapprove

46%

Stronglydisapprove

29%

Stronglydisapprove

32%

Voters Have High Disapproval of All the Players

In

47%

15%

38%

In next year’s Congressional election, are you more likely to vote for

the Democrat or the Republican?

DemocratRepublic

an

Undecided

+9

14%

34% 52%

Generally speaking, in whom do you have more

confidence to deal with the major issues facing the

country today?Democratsin

Congress

PresidentBush

Not sure

+18

In comparative terms, Democrats still have the high ground

2006 Elections – Democrats take control

Senate House Governors

Democrats

49 232 28

Republicans

49 203 22

Independents

2 0 0

Realities of TodayOptimism for the new Congress is fading. A minority of voters still express a wait-and-see attitude.Voters’ Concern is 2007 are similar to concerns in 2006:

Do Nothing CongressExtreme PartisanshipSpecial InterestsWaste, Fraud and AbuseOut of Touch

Message in 2006 – “CHANGE”Message in 2007 – “We are still waiting” or “Will the Democrats actually follow through?”

Realities of Today

Iraq – Over 70% of voters view war in Iraq as maintain number one issue. Two different areas of Concerns:

Anger over lack of progress, lack of mission and loss of life.

Frustration over cost in Iraq; unmet needs at home.

Realities of Today- Standoff over spending

Showdown over spending brewing between the President and Congress

Congressional Democrats are seeking to add $23 billion in funding for domestic programs

President Bush has threatened to veto every domestic spending bill that exceeds his funding request

Resolution of this standoff unclear

When you hear that President Bush will veto several of the Democrats’ appropriations bills for these reasons, who are you more inclined to side with on this issue?

Side with theDemocrats

Side with Pres. Bush

Much more26%

Much more25%

46%

40%

In veto fights over spending, voters initially the public is divided

When you hear that President Bush will veto several of the Democrats’ appropriations/spending bills, with

whom are you more inclined to side?

Side with theDemocrats

Side with Pres. Bush

Much more26%

Much more25%

46%40%

Initial Support

Side with theDemocrats

Side with Pres. Bush

Much more42%

Much more18%

57%

31%

Support after Arguments

+6+26

Making the Democratic case turns a narrow edge into a strong advantage

32%

37%

37%

37%

40%

40%

40%

40%

46%

Strongly agree with Democrats Somewhat agree with Democrats

$3.7 B more than Bush on veterans’ health

care$630M more than Bush

on highways/bridges=jo

bs$1 B more than Bush on

disease research$200 M more than Bush

on health care for uninsured

$35 B more than Bush on S-CHIP for uninsured

kids$2 B more than Bush on

homeland security$65 M more than Bush

on food/medicine safety

$1.5 B more than Bush on schools/Head Start$1.6 M more than Bush

on law enforcement/crime

74%

71%

68%

67%

65%

64%

63%

63%

63%

All voters

Voters side with Democrats over Bush on a wide range of specifics

2

7

9

12

17

18

18

19

21Invest in

America’s futureIt’s time to take care

of things at homeIt’s time to get our

priorities straightIt’s time to put

America firstPut America’s priorities first

Stop shortchangingAmerica for Iraq

Invest inAmerica’s prioritiesStop shortchanging

America

First things first

Focus group participants ranking each among top four choices:Of 33 total participants

Best rated slogans focus on investing in future, right priorities,

taking care of things at home

Republicans feel that they lost the election because they became the party of excess spending.

They are intent on reasserting themselves as the party of fiscal restraint.

Nothing tests as strongly among Republican voters as curbing excessive spending.

No incentive for the President to compromise

Democrats will complete their appropriations bills in the next month, with the Labor, HHS, and Education bill the first to be sent to the President.

A Presidential veto is a near certainty. Congress will attempt to override the Presidential

vetoes. This effort is unlikely to succeed, as only 10% of vetoes are overridden historically.

This showdown will continue until almost Christmas, when either an Omnibus Appropriations bill or a long term Continuing Resolution will be sent to the President.

A government shutdown is highly unlikely – it is not in either party’s interest.

Showdown likely

Democrats believe they have the upper hand as we approach the 2008 Elections

Democrats enjoy an average lead of 12 points in the generic presidential race (51-39)Democrats enjoy a 9 point lead in generic congressional ballotingLikely voters favor DemocratsIndependents favor Democrats by 19 points (President), 14 points (Congress)Twelve Republican retirements in the House, only two Democrats voluntarily leaving, both to run for the SenateAlmost twice as many Republican Senators up for re-election this cycle, four are vulnerable and three additional Republican seats are open due to retirements.

However, it is too early to predict victory at this point -- and Democrats must prove that they can pass the audition the 2006 election provided and can run the government effectively

Too early to predict the outcome for 2008

Broadening funding opportunitiesDepartment of Labor fundingWorkforce Investment Act

reauthorizationHigher Education Act

ReauthorizationLabor-HHS Appropriations HRSA

Section 755 funding for Allied Health Programs

What are we doing to help ASAPH in Washington?

S. 605 the Allied Health Reinvestment Act

Senator Cantwell sponsored

Ongoing effort – Republican cosponsor

What are we doing to help ASAPH in Washington?

Focus today – making connections to the workforce system

Umbrella law for job training programs

Funding provided by the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration

$3.4 billion in annual formula funding – at least 40% of the overall funding used for job training

- Three funding Streams -• Adults• Dislocated (laid off) workers• Youth – ages 16-24

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Funding

States keep 15% from all formula funding streams.

State has broad choices in how to spend this funding – overseen by State Workforce Investment Boards (SWIB)

SWIB required to have a business majority and SWIB members are appointed by the Governor. Representatives include elected officials, government agencies, labor, and experienced service providers

Focused on addressing state workforce development needs

WIA formula funding – State funding

Locals allocated roughly 85% of all formula funding

The allocation of this funding is overseen by local Workforce Investment Boards (WIB)

Over 600 local WIB’s across the nation

WIB’s are also business majority with a Chair from the business community

WIA formula funding – local funding

WIB members are appointed by local elected officials with criteria set by the Governor.

Must be business majority and include labor organizations, local governmental partners, Community Based Organizations, disabilities, veterans, and education officials

Local WIB’s

Meet the job training demands of the local economy

Oversee operations of their One Stop career centers

Select training providers

WIB focus

Most training currently performed by community colleges.

Very little engagement by four year institutions – DOL would like to have more training performed by four year institutions.

This provides a real opportunity for ASAHP members.

The key will be making the connection to your local workforce board.

WIA training providers