House expected to consider CR to fund government through Sept. 30, extend key health care provisions

House Republican leaders March 8 unveiled a bill that would fund the federal government through Sept. 30 of this year, as well as extend certain key health care provisions that are set to expire at the end of March. The bill, known as a continuing resolution, would largely keep government funding at current levels through the end of this fiscal year, with some adjustments. Current government funding is set to expire March 14. 

The House Rules Committee is expected to consider the bill today, and it could be on the House floor for a vote on March 11. If it passes the House, it is expected to be on the Senate floor later this week.

Some key highlights of health care provisions include: 

• Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital Relief. The bill would eliminate the Medicaid DSH cuts through Sept. 30, 2025.   
• Medicare Rural Extenders. The bill would extend the enhanced low-volume adjustment program through Sept. 30, 2025, and the Medicare-dependent hospital program through Oct. 1, 2025.
• Medicare Telehealth and Hospital-at-home Extensions. The bill would extend key telehealth waivers and the hospital-at-home program through Sept. 30, 2025.
• Extension of the Work Geographic Index Floor under the Medicare Program. The bill will extend a 1.0 floor on the work geographic practice cost index through Oct. 1, 2025.
• Medicare Rural Ambulance. The bill will extend add-on payments for ambulance services through Oct. 1, 2025. These add-on payments support rural, “super-rural” and urban ambulance services.