Senate passes CR to fund government, delay Medicaid DSH cuts

The Senate today voted 82-15 to approve a continuing resolution that funds the federal government through Nov. 21 and delays impending Medicaid cuts, among other provisions. The legislation passed the House last week and now goes to the president for his signature. It delays through Nov. 21 a $4 billion reduction in Medicaid disproportionate share hospital allotments scheduled to take effect Oct. 1; extends the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic demonstration program through Nov. 21; and extends the current 100% Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, under the Medicaid program. The legislation also extends through Nov. 21 funding for Community Health Centers, the National Health Service Corps, Teaching Health Centers that operate graduate medical education programs, and measure selection and endorsement activities conducted by the National Quality Forum. Federal funding for fiscal year 2019 expires on Sept. 30. Senate appropriators last week released a draft FY 2020 appropriations bill for the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and related agencies. The House has passed 10 appropriations bills, including a Labor-HHS-Education bill.