A Health Care Bill the Committee is Considering and the Status of Bill.

The Appropriations Sub-Committee only works on one bill per year. In December 2011, HR2055, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 was voted into effect.  The Appropriations Sub-Committee is responsible for separating out the expenditures of this bill.

HR2055 Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2012 

HR 2055 was first introduced on May 30, 2011.  It was passed by the House on June 14, 2011, then by the Senate on July 19, 2011.  President Obama signed the bill on December 22, 2011 (OpenCongress, n.d.).

"This package of legislation provides critical funds for national security, one of the most basic responsibilities of the federal government. This includes funding for our multiple-fronted military engagements, resources to advance the safety and success of our troops on the ground, benefits and programs for our veterans and active military and their families, and homeland security efforts to protect our borders and our communities" (House Appropriations Committee, 2011, p. 1). 

"The legislation also prevents a potential government shutdown and supports important domestic programs and services the American people rely on, while making hard but necessary cuts to help reduce the nation’s deficit. In addition, the bill includes several significant policy items to help rein in government overreach and put our economy on more stable footing" (House Appropriations Committee, 2011, p. 1). 

Although HR2055 included money to be distributed in many different areas, part of the budget was set aside for Health and Human Services, a total of $69.7 billion.  This amount was then divided between Health Resources and Services Administration ($6.5 billion), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ($6.1 billion), National Institutes of Health ($30.7 billion), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration ($3.9 billion), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ($3.9 billion), Administration for Children and Families ($29.2 billion), and Abstinence Education ($5 million) (House Appropriations Committee, 2011).