House passes continuing resolution to fund government through September, extend key health care provisions

The House of Representatives March 11 voted 217-213 to pass a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through Sept. 30. The bill also extends certain key health care provisions that are set to expire at the end of March. The Senate is expected to consider the legislation this week. Current government funding is set to expire March 14.   
 
Some of the health care provisions included in the bill are:  

• 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.