The House of Representatives voted 341 to 88 on Jan. 22 to pass a government funding package that includes several long-sought healthcare provisions backed by hospital and provider groups.
The three-bill “minibus” is part of a broader bipartisan legislative package to fund the federal government through fiscal year 2026 and avoid a partial shutdown ahead of a Jan. 30 deadline. It provides appropriations for HHS, the Department of Labor and several other agencies.
It would extend pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities through 2027 and CMS’ hospital-at-home waiver program through 2030. It also includes one-year extensions for two key Medicare payment programs that support rural hospitals and would delay Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts until fiscal 2028.
Additionally, the package provides funding for rural health, behavioral health, maternal care and healthcare workforce programs. However, the legislation does not address enhanced ACA subsidies, which expired at the end of 2025.
The Senate will consider the bill next week.
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