On March 14, 2025, Congress passed a six-month continuing resolution. The narrowly focused bill largely extends current funding for most federal agencies and programs through September 30, 2025 – the end of the fiscal year. Specifically, the legislation extends Medicare telehealth flexibilities from the COVID-19 era, delays cuts to disproportionate share hospitals (DSH), and funds several Medicare programs and community health centers. Notably, the continuing resolution did not contain any relief from the 2.83 percent cut to providers subject to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) that went into effect in January 2025.

Impact on General Dentistry: Passage of the continuing resolution prevented a government shutdown, which could have caused widespread harm, particularly for agencies and programs supporting oral health that depend on discretionary funding through annual appropriations acts.