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How government shutdowns affect pathologists and laboratories

Unless President Trump and Congress reach a deal before tomorrow, the federal government will shut down for the first time since 2018.

  • Democratic and Republican leaders met at the White House on Monday, but they failed to reach a deal.

Benefit programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security continue to operate during a shutdown.

  • Coverage of Medicare and Medicaid services also continues as normal, but payments could be delayed if a shutdown persists for several weeks. 

A shutdown also affects programs at the Department of Health & Human Services (eg, staff at the National Institutes of Health that admit patients or process grant applications).

  • Employees deemed essential workers are required to work without immediate pay.

Go deeper: HHS has outlined its staffing plan for a shutdown.

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