National Council of Nonprofits - Advocacy

Posted:  February 1, 2012

Special Edition

Top Ten Nonprofit Policy Issues:
2011 State and Local Policy Review  To anticipate the public policy issues that nonprofits will face at the state and local levels in 2012, it is useful to review the significant policy challenges and opportunities that nonprofits faced in 2011. The following brief analysis shares a sampling of insights that the National Council of Nonprofits gained through its work with the collective network of State Associations of nonprofits and other nonprofit organizations active at state and local levels. 

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Posted:  January 30, 2012 Take Time to Help Yourself How Is the Small Employer Health Credit Working for Your Organization? The Small Employer Health Credit that qualified smaller for-profit and nonprofit organizations may claim to help reduce the cost of employee health insurance has come under criticism for its complexity and low payout rates. We are asking for your help in better understanding how this new program actually works and how it can be improved. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is looking to speak with nonprofits willing to share their experiences with claiming the Health Credit that was passed as part of the 2010 health care reform act. The GAO will be holding two focus groups that are open to all nonprofits that have applied for the credit to gather information about its overall effectiveness. Read more about the GAO review.   Here are three ways you can help:

• Contact the State Association of nonprofits in your state to let them know your experiences with the Small Employer Health Credit – whether you applied for it, or if you decided not to apply for some reason.
• Contact the GAO directly to share your experiences.
• Spread the word to your colleague organizations about this opportunity to understand and improve this important tool for making employee health insurance more affordable.
  

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Posted:  January 17, 2012   Congressional Agenda Filling Up Quickly Nonprofits should get some clarity in the coming weeks on a number of federal issues that impact their work in communities throughout the country. The House of Representatives returns this week for a series of hearings and the Senate convenes next week in time for President Obama’s State of the Union Address on January 24. In that speech to Congress and in his budget for the 2013 fiscal year, due to be released in early February, the President is expected to reveal how he thinks Congress should implement the spending cut targets enacted last year. Critical funding issues involving human services, education, arts, health care, and volunteerism are at stake. Also, Congress must take action by the end of February if it intends to extend beyond February the two-percent employee payroll tax cut and continuation of unemployment and food benefits that it passed as an emergency compromise at the end of December. Each of the issues impacts the work of nonprofits, whether as employers or service providers for affected populations.

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