On March 8, the U.S. Senate voted 75-22 to pass a package of six appropriations bills funding certain federal agencies through fiscal year (FY) 2024. The legislation was passed in the House March 6 and signed by President Biden March 9. Highlights of the legislation:
- Eliminates Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) cuts for FY 2024 and delays FY 2025 DSH cuts to Jan. 1, 2025
- Extends the Medicare-dependent hospital and enhanced low-volume hospital programs through December 2024
- Reduces a physician payment cut that began Jan. 1 from 3.34% to 2.93% through December 31, 2024
- Extends the Community Health Centers, National Health Service Corps, and Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education programs through December.
Congress expects to release and vote on the six other appropriations bills for FY 2024 before they expire March 22, including legislation funding Department of Health and Human Services programs. (Andrew Busz, andrewb@wsha.org)
