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- Government Agencies Prepare for Possible Shutdown
The federal government formally urged federal agencies, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), to prepare for the possibility of a lapse in funding and government shutdown. However, the CMS’ Medicare Administrative Contractors will still process Medicare claims, and pathologists will receive their reimbursement payments for patient services.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) met with federal agencies about government shutdown planning prior to September 30, when congressionally appropriated are set to lapse. On September 21, the House passed a nine-week continuing resolution that would keep federal agencies funded through December 3, but the legislation faces opposition in the Senate.
A 2018-2019 partial government shutdown impacted about 800,000 federal workers and was the longest in US history. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the 35-day lapse cost the US economy about $11 billion.
The CAP continues to monitor the effect of the shutdown on pathologists and relevant government programs and policies.