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Congress Avoids Shutdown, Funds Programs Until September 30
Facing a midnight deadline to continue to fund the government and avoid a shutdown, the Senate passed a year-long continuing resolution (CR) on March 14. After 10 Democrats helped Republicans surpass the 60-vote procedural threshold needed to move to a vote on the CR, the Senate voted 54 to 46 to pass the CR and keep government programs funded through the end of fiscal year 2025 (September 30). With some limited exceptions, the measure funds annually appropriated programs at fiscal year 2024 levels through FY25. The CR, which passed the House on March 11, includes needed increases for HUD multifamily housing renewals but shorts funding for other HUD programs while extending telehealth flexibilities for two years as well as other health-related extensions.
Dr. Oz Testifies at Senate Confirmation Hearing to be CMS Administrator
The Senate Finance Committee held a March 14 confirmation hearing on Dr. Mehmet Oz’s nomination to be Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The hearing addressed several critical issues facing aging services providers and the patients, residents, and families they serve. Some of the top themes of the hearing included Dr. Oz’s reservations about the nursing home minimum staffing rule, his acknowledgement of workforce shortages and challenges to accessing care in rural communities, the need for Medicare Advantage reforms to limit prior authorizations, and the benefits of utilizing telehealth and artificial intelligence in addressing some of these issues.
In his opening statement, Dr. Oz outlined a vision focused largely on modernizing CMS’s systems; addressing waste, fraud and abuse; and incentivizing Americans to make healthier lifestyle choices. In an apparent reversal of his prior position endorsing a “Medicare Advantage for All” system that would privatize Medicare, Dr. Oz noted the problems of overpayments to Medicare Advantage plans, the need to limit prior authorizations and address the practice of “upcoding” where providers or plans bill for treating patients as sicker than they actually are.
When asked by Committee Democrats if he would commit to opposing Medicaid cuts proposed by Congressional Republicans, Dr. Oz refused to be pinned down.
“I cherish Medicaid,” Dr. Oz stated in an exchange with Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), the Committee’s Ranking Democratic Member. Senator Wyden responded, “Since you cherish Medicaid, will you agree to oppose cuts in the Medicaid program?” Dr. Oz declined to do so.
LeadingAge was actively engaged with Committee members prior to the hearing, providing suggested questions to gain clarity on Dr. Oz’s policy positions regarding nursing home staffing, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid funding and other issues. The committee provided its members five additional days to submit questions to Dr. Oz in writing. After he responds to those questions, the Committee will schedule a vote on whether to send Dr. Oz’s nomination to the full Senate, where he is expected to be confirmed. Read Committee Chair Mike Crapo’s (R-ID) statement here.
Weekly Recaps: March 19, 2025
Affordable Housing Weekly Recap. Here is your weekly Affordable Housing Weekly Recap.
Home Health Weekly Recap. Here is your weekly Home Health Weekly Recap.
Hospice Weekly Recap. Here is your weekly Hospice Weekly Recap.
Life Plan Community Weekly Recap. Here is your weekly Life Plan Community Recap.
Medicaid, HCBS, and PACE Weekly Recap. Here is your weekly Medicaid, HCBS, and PACE Weekly Recap.
Nursing Home Weekly Recap. Here is your weekly Nursing Home Weekly Recap.
