Valued Voice

On Nov. 12, the U.S. House of Representatives passed and President Trump signed into law a funding package to reopen the Federal Government, ending a 43-day government shutdown, the longest one on record. Six House Democrats joined all but two House Republicans in voting for the legislation, while eight Senate Democrats joined all but one Senate Republican in supporting the legislation just days earlier.

Importantly, the funding package included retroactive funding for the health care extenders that WHA has continued to advocate for, namely:

• Medicare telehealth flexibilities
• Hospital at Home
• Medicare-Dependent and Low-Volume Hospital Adjustment programs

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance last week informing providers that it would be returning certain telehealth claims for resubmission, given the length of the shutdown, they were not able to process certain claims that were not covered. WHA anticipates there may be additional guidance forthcoming for retroactive payment of telehealth services included in the legislation and will share any updates as they become available.

WHA has also continued to sound the alarm over the impact to hospitals’ uncompensated care if Congress does not address the expiring enhanced premium tax credits in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). While those provisions are not directly addressed in the legislation, the Senate has agreed to bring the issue to a vote by mid-December. While some moderate House Republicans have called for their extension, Speaker Johnson has not yet made any similar promises. Meanwhile, Republicans have also been floating alternative health care ideas in lieu of a straight extension of the subsidies.

Funding in the continuing resolution expires at the end of January 2026, meaning Congress could soon be back approaching another shutdown if lawmakers cannot find agreement on longer-term funding. 

WHA continues to advocate for making funding for these health care priorities permanent or at least on a longer-term basis and is planning a trip to Washington, DC for early December. 

Contact WHA Vice President of Federal Affairs and Advocacy Jon Hoelter with questions.