January 26, 2026
Last week, the House voted 341–88 to pass a bill providing full-year funding for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The package includes several major health-care provisions and program extensions important to providers, patients, and long-term care stakeholders. The package is part of a Defense, Homeland Security (DHS), Labor-Health and Human Services-Education, and Transportation-Housing and Urban Development (THUD) “minibus” to fund the government beyond the current deadline of January 30, 2026. The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Key Health Policy Provisions Included in the Package
- Medicare Telehealth Extension: Extends Medicare telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2027, preserving pandemic-era policies that allow continued access to virtual care.
- Support for Core Health Programs: Renews funding for community health centers, the National Health Service Corps, and Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education programs.
Long-Term Care Oversight: Incorporates FY26 House and Senate language directing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to strengthen oversight of antipsychotic medication use in skilled nursing facilities.
House: Encourages development of a new metric to differentiate appropriate vs. inappropriate antipsychotic use.
Senate: Directs CMS to refine oversight, reinforce documentation standards, continue data collection, and report back in FY 2027.
Next Steps
The bill must now clear the Senate before being sent to the president’s desk for signature. At this stage, passage was widely expected given the strong bipartisan support in the House; however, some have indicated that the DHS portion of the bill may be subject to further review.
Why This Matters
The legislation provides near-term stability for Medicare telehealth services, supporting continued access to virtual care while broader policy discussions and advocacy continue. It also signals renewed congressional focus on strengthening quality oversight in long-term care facilities, particularly in the area of antipsychotic prescribing. PALTmed will closely monitor the Senate’s actions and keep members updated.