February 19, 2025
Congress Avoids Government Shutdown, Yet Funding Issues Remain

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In a narrow escape, Congress has managed to avert a federal government shutdown for the second time in two months, as House Democrats stepped in to provide the necessary votes. This move allowed new House Republican Speaker Mike Johnson to avoid a potential legislative catastrophe early on in his tenure. However, the ongoing issue of funding the federal government continues to loom large, with the temporary patches in place set to expire in early 2024.

One significant challenge faced by House Republicans is their insistence on achieving substantial spending cuts. This goal may prove difficult as long as the Senate and the White House remain under Democratic control. It appears that House Republicans have not yet reconciled themselves to this reality.

Moreover, two investigations conducted this week shed light on the struggles faced by seniors when it comes to accessing long-term care. The first investigation, conducted jointly by KFF Health News and The New York Times, highlights the financial burden faced by families who require assistance with daily activities. The second investigation, carried out by Stat, reveals how certain insurance companies are utilizing artificial intelligence algorithms to deny necessary rehabilitation care for patients covered under Medicare.

The panelists for this week’s episode of KFF Health News’ health policy news podcast, “What the Health?”, include Julie Rovner, the chief Washington correspondent and host of the podcast. Rovner is an expert in health policy issues and is the acclaimed author of the reference book “Health Care Politics and Policy A to Z,” now in its third edition. Other panelists include Rachel Cohrs of Stat, Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico Magazine, and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico.

As the temporary funding measures are set to expire in early 2024, Congress will need to address the ongoing challenges of funding the federal government. The clash between House Republicans’ desire for significant spending cuts and the Democratic control of the Senate and White House will likely complicate the process. Meanwhile, the investigations into the struggles faced by seniors in accessing long-term care highlight the urgent need for solutions in this critical area of healthcare.

*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it

Money Singh
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Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemicals and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. 

Money Singh

Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemicals and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. 

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