In the Event of a Government Shutdown

12/21/2024 Update: Late Friday, December 20, Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR), avoiding a government shutdown and extending federal funding through March 14, 2025. President Biden signed the measure on Saturday, December 21.

The CR includes a "skinny" health package, extending several critical programs but leaving unresolved issues that will need further attention in the new year. Specifically, it includes:

• A three-month extension of Medicare telehealth waivers through March 2025, sustaining access to vital telehealth services — but only temporarily.
• A one-year Farm Bill extension, maintaining essential nutrition programs like SNAP and WIC.
• Three-month extensions for the Special Diabetes Program and Community Health Centers, providing continued support for these crucial initiatives.
• Funding for Child Nutrition Programs, including the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs, to operate without disruption for now.

These extensions provide short-term relief, but critical issues such as the Medicare physician fee schedule and broader health package provisions remain unaddressed, creating another opportunity in March when these other health programs expire.

Academy staff and consultants are working with lawmakers in Washington, D.C., to address these pressing issues.

The Academy is preparing for renewed legislative and regulatory efforts in 2025 to ensure the voice of registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) is heard on Capitol Hill.

12/20/2024 Update: As of December 20, 2024, at 4 p.m. Central time, the federal government faces a potential shutdown if funding isn't secured by midnight. This is a highly fluid situation as Congress continues to deliberate potential solutions.

Key health programs such as telehealth waivers, community health center funding, the Special Diabetes Program and other health extenders also face a separate expiration on December 31, 2024. Extensions for these programs could still pass as part of a funding package or standalone bill.

Academy staff are monitoring this situation and Academy consultants in Washington, D.C., are actively engaging with members of Congress to emphasize the critical ramifications a shutdown will have on Academy members and health care systems along with federal nutrition programs.

A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass a budget or a continuing resolution (CR) before the current budget’s expiration date. As a result, federal agencies and departments are left without the necessary funding to operate, causing a cascade of consequences. Essential government functions may continue, but federal employees may be temporarily suspended, and many services may be delayed, interrupted or severely impacted.

Contact your members of Congress and emphasize the urgency of funding these programs and preventing disruptions to health and nutrition services. Take Action

What expiration/shutdown means for Health Agencies and Programs:

The Academy is focused on ensuring these are extended into the next calendar year, with ongoing efforts to secure their inclusion in end-of-year legislation.

• Telehealth Waivers: Without congressional action, telehealth flexibilities critical to patient access are set to expire at midnight on December 31.
• Community Health Centers and Special Diabetes Program: These programs are vital to public health and face funding lapses without reauthorization by December 31.
• Physician Fee Schedule: The Academy continues to push for relief from scheduled Medicare payment cuts that take effect January 1, 2025, emphasizing the importance of protecting provider stability and patient access.

What expiration/shutdown means for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Nutrition Programs:

The Academy is committed to advocating for uninterrupted funding and ensuring these programs remain intact as critical components of nutrition security and access.

• Farm Bill Programs, Including SNAP and WIC: If the federal government shuts down, critical nutrition programs like SNAP and WIC will face operational challenges. While benefits for SNAP may continue temporarily due to advance appropriations, administrative support and future funding for WIC could be disrupted. This would impact access to nutritious food for millions of low-income families, especially those relying on WIC benefits for young children and infants.
• Child Nutrition Programs: Programs like the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) could face delays in reimbursement funding, creating uncertainties for schools and impacting meal access for children. If a Continuing Resolution (CR) or a full appropriations bill is not passed, these programs may be unable to operate efficiently, leaving vulnerable children at risk of hunger.