President Donald Trump signed a continuing resolution (CR) into law early on Oct. 1 that extends fiscal year 2020 government funding levels through Dec. 11, addresses challenges with the Medicare Accelerated and Advanced Payment Programs, extends funding for certain health programs, and includes $8 billion for nutrition assistance programs.
The Senate passed the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act (H.R. 8337) by a vote of 84-10 on Sept. 30, following the bill’s passage in the House of Representatives on Sept. 22 [see Washington Highlights, Sept. 25].
AAMC President and CEO David J. Skorton, MD, issued a Sept. 30 press release following Senate passage of the CR, sharing appreciation to Congress for avoiding a government shutdown and providing support for and improvements to programs important to academic medicine. Dr. Skorton also urged Congress to work quickly to provide further COVID-19 protections for health care providers, researchers, students, and public health professionals through additional emergency supplemental funding.
“We strongly believe that a larger COVID-19 legislative relief package is essential to our nation’s health, and we urge our leaders to support the nation’s public health and health care heroes defining the frontlines by passing legislation that will deliver timely and critical resources in response to the ongoing pandemic,” Dr. Skorton stated.
The House of Representatives released draft legislation on Sept. 28 to provide an additional $2.2 trillion in supplementary emergency funds to various federal programs to support the response to COVID-19, while discussions between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin have resumed (see related story ).
- Washington Highlights