Lawmakers Pass Short-Term Resolution to Fund Government With Minimal Healthcare Provisions

Before leaving Washington, DC, for the holidays, Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR), to fund the federal government until March. The CR also includes a farm bill extension, disaster aid and several healthcare provisions.

The CR did extend current telehealth flexibilities, quality measure funding and the work geographic index floor through March. Additionally, the CR averts a potential across-the-board Medicare payment reduction resulting from statutorily mandated pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budget requirements.

Although early versions of the CR included an additional increase to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) conversion factor (CF), broader politics prevented inclusion of this provision in the final package that will go to President Biden for his signature.

The American College of Radiology® and the physician and non-physician provider community will continue to advocate for the inclusion of legislative language to address both the 2025 MPFS CF reduction and permanent Medicare reform as soon as possible.