Congress Ends Government Shutdown
The government shutdown ended yesterday evening after Senate Democrats and Republicans reached a deal on a short term funding package. The House quickly passed the legislation and sent it to the President's desk for a signature. The government shutdown began at midnight on Friday after members of the Senate could not break the 60-vote threshold necessary to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government open.
The CR that was passed yesterdayonly provides funding through midnight on February 8, leaving some concerned that we may be on the verge of a shutdown again in just a few weeks. Additionally, while the CR funds the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six-years, it does not include any funding for Medicare Extenders or Community Health Centers. The funding for these programs, which are essential to ensuring accessible, affordable care for rural Americans, lapsed on October 1st without Congressional action.
NRHA will continue to monitor this situation and work to ensure that Medicare Extenders and Community Health Centers funding are included in any short or long term funding package.