November 16, 2009

Continuing Resolution Delays HSR Funding

Federal Fiscal Year 2009 ended at midnight September 30 and, not surprisingly, a continuing resolution (CR)-a stop-gap, short term extension of funding-was passed to fund many federal agencies through October 31. Having not completed action on the appropriations bills, Congress passed a second CR to extend funding through December 18.

The CR will maintain funding for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its agencies, including the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health, at FY 2009 levels. The CR is not expected to disrupt the operations of these agencies in the short-term.

As of November 10, Congress had passed five appropriation bills, leaving seven bills-including the bill that funds HHS--to complete before the December 18 extension deadline. Congress will likely try to move as many individual spending bills as possible before Thanksgiving, and will then combine outstanding bills-most likely Defense, Labor-HHS-Education, and Financial Services-into an "omnibus" package to pass before the end of the year. This will allow Congress to move forward with the preparation and consideration of the 2011 budget and appropriation bills when they return in January.

Typically, appropriations bills are the last pieces of legislation Congress considers before the end of each fiscal year, and this year is no different. This year's budget process was complicated by the presidential transition, the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act earlier this year, and the ongoing health care reform debate.

Questions? Please contact us at coalition@academyhealth.org.