Sept. 30, 2025
At the time of this writing, the federal government is headed for a shutdown. While House Republicans passed a “clean” continuing resolution (CR) last week that would fund the government at current levels until November 21st. That CR and one put forth by the Democrats in the Senate both failed last week to reach the 60 votes needed to pass in the Senate. Both of the CRs are expected to be voted on again this evening, and both are expected to fail again.
Senate Democrats are seeking several provisions in any CR to protect health care. Those include extending the enhanced subsidies for anyone purchasing healthcare coverage in the Affordable Care Act marketplaces (“ACA subsidies”) and restoring $1 trillion of Medicaid cuts that were included in H.R.1, the reconciliation bill signed on July 4th. Democrats are also insisting on a provision that will make clear that no funding included in the CR can be rescinded except by an act of Congress.
The Senate will work on Wednesday, but is not in session on Thursday in observance of Yom Kippur. Senators expect to be back in session Friday and perhaps through the weekend. Any CR that passes the Senate that is different from what the House previously passed will have to receive a vote in the House; however, the House is not scheduled to return until October 7th.
Not only will a shutdown impact federal agencies, funding and services, but, separately, telehealth provisions for Medicare expire at midnight tonight, meaning providers will not be able to bill for Medicare telehealth services effective October 1st unless those services are in compliance with pre-COVID restrictions. Extensions of the current provisions are included in both the Republican and Democrat CRs. Pre-COVID telehealth provisions do not allow individuals to receive telehealth services in their homes, among other restrictions.
