Senate reaches two-year budget deal that funds community health centers, opioid fight
The agreement would avert a government shutdown if the House can agree to it.
The U.S. Senate has reached a two-year budget deal that includes $7 billion for community health centers, $6 billion to fight opioid use disorder and delays funding cuts to disproportionate share hospitals.
The Senate spending agreement averts a government shutdown on Friday if the House can agree to the bipartisan agreement that has the backing of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
[Also: House passes stopgap bill Tuesday night to fund government and community health centers]
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has said she would oppose the deal until House Speaker Paul Ryan considered legislation to protect "Dreamers" and other immigrants.
The bill primarily lifts caps on defense spending, boosts some domestic programs and provide funds for disaster relief, infrastructure and programs addressing opioid abuse, according to The Hill.
On Tuesday night, House members passed a stopgap bill to keep the government through March 23.
As the House bill did, the Senate proposal delays cuts of $2 billion this year and $43 billion through 2025 to Medicaid disproportionate share hospitals.
"Congress must act in a bipartisan manner to halt the DSH cuts and delay further cuts in this continuing resolution," said Bruce Siegel, MD, president and CEO of America's Essential Hospitals. "A two-year delay costs nothing, prevents a combined $5 billion in further cuts, and gives Congress time to collaborate with hospitals to find sustainable solutions to the burden of uncompensated care costs."
Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: susan.morse@himssmedia.com
