Congress Enacts FY 2026 Federal Appropriations

Congress enacted an appropriations measure that would fund the “Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies” through federal fiscal year 2026. After minor revisions, the Senate overwhelmingly voted to advance the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 by a vote of 71 to 29. The House narrowly advanced the bill generally through party line votes of 217 to 214, with 21 Democrats voting for and 21 Republicans voting against the measure. H.R. 7148 contains funding and health care extenders that include the following.

• Rural Hospital Flexibility Program – $70.3 million
• Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – $145 million
• Rural Residency Planning and Development Program – $14 million
• Rural Hospital Maternity and Obstetrics Management Program – $15 million
• Behavioral Health Workforce and Education – $114 million
• Extension of enhanced Medicare low-volume payment adjustments through Dec. 31, 2026
• Extension of Medicare Dependent Hospital program through Dec. 31, 2026
• Extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities through Dec. 31, 2027
• Extension of the hospital care at home waiver through Sept. 30, 2030
• Prevention of Medicaid DSH funding cuts through Sept. 30, 2027