What’s in the Stopgap Funding Bill?

September 17, 2025

Congress has until the end of the month to pass a bill to avert a government shutdown, and a House committee funding proposal released this week extends several key health care provisions.

Here’s what you need to know:

• What matters for hospitals:  The bill, released Tuesday in the House Appropriations Committee, would prevent end-of-the-month cuts to the Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital Program and extend the Medicare-Dependent Hospital program and Low-Volume Hospital Adjustment, as well as important telehealth and hospital-at-home waivers.
• Extension date:  The committee’s proposal would avert a shutdown through November 21.
• Process:  The bill may be up for a vote in the House this week. The legislation would then turn to the Senate for review.
• On deck:  Beyond the stopgap bill, Congress has until the end of the year to extend enhanced premium tax credits that have helped people afford coverage on the state and federal individual health insurance marketplaces.
  • Earlier this month, HAP sent a letter to our congressional delegation calling for action to preserve these enhanced premium tax credits, noting up to 150,000 Pennsylvanians would be forced to drop coverage without them.
  • Congress also has until the end of the year to prevent Medicare Statutory Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) requirements from going into effect.
• Quotable:  “These actions are vital to prevent further uncompensated care burdens that put care at risk for entire communities, protect our most vulnerable residents, and maintain the health and competitiveness of our commonwealth,” the letter on tax credits said.

HAP continues to call on Congress to protect Pennsylvania hospitals and access to care. For additional information, contact John Myers, vice president, federal advocacy.