The House cleared a continuing resolution (CR) on January 18 to keep federal agencies funded through early March. The Senate passed the measure quickly for the President to sign.

Once signed, the CR will extend last year’s funding levels, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, until March 1 and funding for others through March 8. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is in the latter group, though basic Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement are not part of the appropriations process. Agencies within HHS—like the Administration on Community Living, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration—are examples of HHS programs that are included in the annual appropriations process.

LeadingAge is advocating for Congress to finalize annual spending bills that Congress has so far failed to pass.