Impact for SGO Members: The longest government shutdown in history is over, but Congress will face another funding deadline on January 30.
On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government, ending the record long 43-day government shutdown. The legislation funds the government at current levels through January 30, 2026, and passes full-year fiscal year (FY) 2026 appropriations for the Agriculture-FDA, Military Construction-VA, and Legislative Branch appropriations bills.
The CR did not include provisions renewing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits – the reason Democrats forced the shutdown – although an agreement has been made to consider them in the Senate before the end of the year. Additionally, the bill prohibits agencies from enforcing a reduction in force (RIF) under the duration of the CR and ensures back pay for federal works affected by shutdown.
Medicare
While Medicare is supported by mandatory funding, not annual appropriations, many staff at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) were furloughed. However, the annual Physician Fee Schedule final rule was released in early November, despite staff being furloughed.
Medicare Telehealth Services
Impact for SGO Members: Telehealth flexibilities that expired on September 30, 2025, are extended through January 30, 2026.
The Medicare telehealth flexibilities expired on September 30 along with government funding. The CR does extend these flexibilities for the same duration as government funding. While many practices stopped scheduling telehealth visits during the shutdown, CMS was holding these claims and they will be paid retroactively.
While the extension of services will hopefully provide a reprieve to physicians and patients, the short duration of the extensions means telehealth stakeholders face another cliff as the new year begins. SGO continues to advocate for permanent legislative fixes that would provide certainty to providers and life-saving services to patients.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Impact for SGO Members: During the shutdown, grant applications were not reviewed, and no new awards were granted. Those processed prior to the shutdown with an award date of October 1 or later should receive their Notice of Award as the government reopens. Members who submitted grant applications during the shutdown should plan to resubmit now that the government is open; NIH may release guidance on this resubmission process.
With funding through the end of January 30, furloughed staff will return to work. While the government was closed, NIH missed one review cycle, and the agency is still in the process of determining whether it will be rescheduled or if they will be able to review and process FY 2026 grants with just two review cycles. Because NIH is still operating under a CR, the agency will not be issuing new grant awards since the final budget for the agency is still uncertain.
Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMPR)
Impact for SGO Members: All CDMRP contracts are paid up front so research activities under the CDMRP were able to continue with little interruption during the shutdown. However, all CDMRP staff were furloughed due to the government shutdown, thus grant processes may have been delayed due to the extended duration of the shutdown and programs officers being furloughed.
Final funding for the CDMRP program has not yet been determined but operations will resume now that the government has reopened.