Highlights of federal spending package include some health care provisions, but no COVID-19 relief

The House Appropriations Committee announced an agreement on omnibus appropriations legislation funding the federal government through the end of the current fiscal year. The legislation includes various provisions beneficial to hospitals and health systems including 340B protections, extending telehealth flexibilities and improving maternal health. House Democrats this afternoon pulled all COVID-19 relief that was going to be attached to the bill after lawmakers expressed concerns about spending offsets for the additional COVID-19 relief funding supplemental package. 

The House is expected to vote on the revised omnibus spending bill today. In addition, the House today is expected to approve a short-term continuing resolution funding the government. The Senate could try to clear the omnibus package by the weekend, but final passage may not come until next week. The Senate also is likely to clear a continuing resolution before current funding for the government expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on March 11.