Last month Congress passed a $3.5 trillion budget resolution. Thus, creating the framework for negotiations on an infrastructure and economic recovery package that include investments of up to $332B for housing and transportation. Details are still forthcoming, but we have a sense of some of the priorities.

Infrastructure Priorities

First is a significant investment in affordable housing! Advocates are pushing for the following investments:

• $180 billion for Housing Choice Vouchers to serve those households with the greatest needs;
• $70 billion for public housing which would fulfill the estimated capital backlog needs;
• And $45 billion for the National Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve homes affordable to people with the lowest incomes.

Second, is an expansion of health care access and an investment in community health center infrastructure. The priorities are to expand covered services in Medicare (to dental, vision, and hearing), to lower the Medicare eligibility age, and cover the Medicaid coverage gap in the 12 states that have yet to expand.

Advocates are also asking for the inclusion of $10 billion in community health center infrastructure funding.

Long-term Solutions

Congress has the opportunity to enact long-term solutions to ensure affordable and universal housing as well as health care access for all.

Now is the time to reach out to your Members of Congress and tell them what you want to see in the budget resolution and urge them to think big!

How You Can Take Action

You can take action by:

1. Joining the #HoUSed campaign sign-on letter to congress and circulate to your networks. Sign-on here.
2. Sign this petition organized by Healthcare-NOW! telling Congress that we need strengthen and expand Medicare Now!