Reads news, checks the date:
Oh, we’re still where we left off
Sprint to the finish
The Recess and the Month Ahead
After an extended August district work period, Congress is returning to Washington, DC facing many of the same issues it did before recess – and with very limited scheduled time to make decisions. Congress is expected to adjourn again by early October through the November elections.
Among the top priorities is finding at least a short-term path forward on FY 2021 spending. Because the House and Senate have not come to an agreement on any of the twelve annual appropriations bills – and in fact, the Senate Appropriations Committee has yet to advance any of its versions of the bills – the two chambers will likely need to negotiate a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government funded beyond the end of the current fiscal year on September 30. Early reports suggest that a CR would stretch into at least early December. The CR may also become a vehicle for other critical health priorities, including the so-called Medicare extenders, as well as efforts to further delay cuts to Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments scheduled for December 1.
Hopes for another broad COVID-19 relief and stimulus package before the elections are dwindling as House Democrats, Senate Republicans, and the White House are no closer on a final deal. In a largely symbolic vote, Senate Republicans were unable to move forward on a pared down version of their COVID-19 relief proposal, the HEALS Act. The House-passed HEROES Act remains a non-starter with Republican leaders. There is a chance that some additional COVID relief may be attached to a CR, but any provisions will require broad agreement. The situation remains fluid.
If you’ve been watching our Twitter feed (@DukeGovRel), you know that Duke Health Government Relations had an active August recess in preparation for the fall. We hosted members of the NC congressional delegation for conversations with Duke Health leadership, held congressional staff briefings on telehealth and medical research, and continued to advocate for increased funding for federal research agencies, including $26 billion in emergency funding for the research enterprise. We are committed to ensuring that Duke Health remains a trusted resource and partner for federal policymakers.
There’s a three week sprint to the next recess, and we have a long way to go. Check out our Twitter feed and back here next week for more updates on these issues and other key priorities.