Congress passes spending package with health care extenders 

The Senate voted 75-22 on March 8 to pass and send to the president for his signature a package of six appropriations bills funding certain federal agencies through fiscal year 2024, which contains health care provisions of interest to hospitals. The House passed the legislation early last week and President Biden signed it March 9.
 
The health care provisions eliminate Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts for FY 2024 and delay FY 2025 DSH cuts to Jan. 1, 2025; extend the Medicare-dependent hospital and enhanced low-volume hospital programs through December 2024; reduce a 3.34% physician payment cut that began Jan. 1; and extend the Community Health Centers, National Health Service Corps, and Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education programs through December.  
 
Congress expects to release and vote on the six other appropriations bills for FY 2024 before they expire March 22, including legislation funding Department of Health and Human Services programs.