As you know, Congress returned from recess to a packed September agenda. And with only 13 days left until the crucial Sept. 30 budget deadline, funding for key healthcare programs hangs in the balance.
Congress is now in last stretch of negotiations leading up to the deadline. Beyond ensuring government funding overall, the outcome of these negotiations will also determine the future of health center funding and investments in health workforce pathways. These decisions will impact patient access and the strength of primary care in every community.
With lawmakers divided on federal government funding levels, there is a significant risk of a shutdown or a continuing resolution that may leave federal programs we care about in limbo. The chance of a potential shutdown has been increased by a debate between Republicans and Democrats on whether and how to extend ACA enhanced premium tax credits, which are set to expire this year. This expiration could result in major increases in marketplace premiums for millions of individuals.
As the final negotiations take shape, ACU is making clear to policymakers that meaningful solutions must stabilize and expand the federal health extender programs that communities rely on, strengthen primary care pathways, and protect access for patients facing the greatest barriers to care. This means:
- Strengthening the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) to ensure qualified clinicians are available where communities need them most.
- Stabilizing the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program to grow pathways for physicians trained in community-based settings.
- Supporting the Nurse Corps to expand nursing capacity, especially in rural and underserved communities.
- Investing in primary care by sustaining and growing the Community Health Center Fund and prioritizing resources for vulnerable communities through the Rural Health Transformation Program.
ACU will continue elevating your voices and championing these programs in every conversation with legislators in these final days of negotiations, and we encourage you to make use of our new NHSC resources in your own local and regional advocacy as the deadline approaches.
Read our recent letter to Congressional leadership and our updated NHSC white paper and policy paper. And if you’re a past or present NHSC participant, please take our brief survey to inform our ongoing policy proposals to improve access to the NHSC.
