After 43 days, Congress ended the longest federal shutdown on record with the passage of H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026. The bill temporarily extends all COVID-era Medicare telehealth flexibilities through January 30, including suspension of geographic, originating site, and audio-only restrictions. It also provides for the continuation of the hospital-at-home waiver and temporarily preserves the 1.0 work geographic practice cost index (GPCI) floor.
H.R. 5371 also temporarily extends funding for the Community Health Center Fund, the National Health Service Corps, the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program, and the Special Diabetes Programs through January 2026.
The compromise does not, however, include an extension of the Affordable Care Act Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, which remain scheduled to expire on December 31. In September, KMA joined the AMA and other state and national medical specialty societies in a letter urging congressional leadership to extend the tax credits before the end of the year. Although Senate leaders have pledged to hold a vote on extending the credits in December, the House has not made a similar commitment.
KMA and its national partners will continue to monitor developments related to telehealth and the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits and offer input as appropriate.