December 19, 2024

Updates: Year-End Funding and Policy Negotiations; Agency Contingency Plans

December 20, 2024

House Passes Stopgap Spending Bill

The House of Representatives in early evening December 20, 2024 passed H.R. 10545, the American Relief Act of 2025, a stopgap spending bill that funds the federal government at fiscal year 2024 levels through March 14, 2025, provides $100 billion in disaster assistance for states, and extends certain health care policies into the new year. The bill, which passed the House by a vote of 366-34, now heads to the Senate where leaders expect to fast-track final passage and send it to the President’s desk to be signed into law.  Read more here.

December 19, 2024

No Go: Vote on American Relief Act Fails to Pass

A vote on the  “American Relief Act of 2025,” a year-end package package released by House Republicans late in the afternoon of December 19 failed to pass, according to news reports.

December 19, 2024

House Republicans Release Revised Year-End Package

House Republicans late in the afternoon of December 19 released the “American Relief Act of 2025,” their newest offer for an end of year package.  Democrats have not agreed to the December 19 version and Democratic votes will be likely needed to pass this package. The outlook is still very unclear for funding the government and for these extenders. More details here.

December 19, 2024

Shutdown: HUD Contingency Plans

As Congress navigates a looming funding deadline for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and other federal agencies, the country’s federally assisted affordable housing communities face the potential of a government shutdown impacting rental assistance payments and more. Get details on agency staff and operations in the event of a shutdown here.

December 19, 2024

Shutdown: HHS Contingency Plans If Negotiations Fail

Following the release of Congress’ end-of-year continuing resolution package unveiled on December 17, President-elect Donald Trump made clear his opposition, according to news coverage–a move that both places key aging services policy wins at risk and also raises the specter of a government shutdown. The latter could take place if a deal is not reached and the current funding agreement expires at midnight Friday, December 20.

Several months ago, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released an updated contingency plan to prepare for a potential lapse in government funding in federal fiscal year 2025, which began on October 1, 2024. Find out what happens to key programs impacting aging services should a shutdown occur.

December 19, 2024

Telehealth at Risk in Year-End Package Negotiations

Following the release of Congress’ end-of-year continuing resolution package unveiled on December 17, President-elect Donald Trump on December 18 made clear his opposition, according to news coverage, a move that places the key aging services policy and LeadingAge priority wins at risk — including telehealth extensions. We want to be sure that members know they need to take action and change policies and procedures if the Medicare fee for service telehealth flexibilities are not extended by December 31st, 2024. Get the information you need here.

December 19, 2024

Aging Services Policy Wins At Risk

Following the release of Congress’ end-of-year continuing resolution package unveiled on December 17, President-elect Donald Trump made clear his opposition, according to news coverage, a move that places key aging services policy wins at risk. Read more here.

December 18, 2024

Year-End Package Analysis: Wins, Ins, and Outs for Aging Services

The House and Senate leaders on December 17 attained agreement on a large legislative package that includes the “must-pass” extension of the current continuing resolution (CR), which expires at midnight December 20. Because passage of a CR extension is required to keep most federal programs from shutting down, many other issues attached themselves to this legislative vehicle. Read our initial analysis of the 1,547 page package on what’s in and what’s out here.