Committee reports for the fiscal year 2019 funding bills for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (Labor/HHS) call for the Office of the Surgeon General to report on the connection between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and negative long-term health outcomes, including future substance misuse.
The House Appropriations Committee report contains stronger and more specific language than the Senate report—it directs the Office of the Surgeon General to submit a report rather than encourages the Office of the Surgeon General to develop a report. The House language also states that the report should be submitted to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees within 180 days of enactment of the bill. The Senate report does not specify a timeframe. The language in both reports is attached.
The Senate committee cleared the bill on June 28 and the House committee on July 11. While the fiscal year starts October 1, the appropriations process is unlikely to be completed by that date. The process in recent history has been contentious, with threats of government shutdowns and missed deadlines. The Senate is expected to approve the Labor/HHS bill during August, but it is unknown when the House will take up its bill. The final report language, along with the specific legislative language, will be decided in conference where differences in the House and Senate bills are resolved.
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