Government Shutdown Averted
On September 30, 2023, Congress passed a last-minute spending bill (H.R. 5860) averting a government shutdown. The 71-page bill was crafted by then House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). The bill allows the government to stay open for 45 days, giving the House and Senate more time to finish their funding legislation. This continuing resolution (CR) delays scheduled cuts to Medicaid payments for disproportionate share hospitals (DSH); and extends funding for community health centers and other programs scheduled to expire September 30th. The CR also allocates disaster relief funds, but does not include new financial assistance for Ukraine. The bill was signed into law by President Joe Biden late on September 30th.
The bill text is available here.
Impact on General Dentistry: A government shutdown can have widespread impacts, particularly for agencies and programs that depend on discretionary funding through annual appropriations acts. Further, a government shutdown caused by annual appropriations not being enacted can also result in furloughs of federal workers. These consequences could have affected much of the health care industry, including dentistry.
The bill text is available here.
Impact on General Dentistry: A government shutdown can have widespread impacts, particularly for agencies and programs that depend on discretionary funding through annual appropriations acts. Further, a government shutdown caused by annual appropriations not being enacted can also result in furloughs of federal workers. These consequences could have affected much of the health care industry, including dentistry.