National Council Shares Update on Shutdown Resolution, Survey Results

Message from National Council for Mental Wellbeing: 

On Wednesday, Nov. 12, Congress passed a government funding package ending the longest shutdown in history, with the bill passing the Senate by a vote of 60-40 and the House by a vote of 222-209.

The bill would extend current funding levels for most federal agencies and programs through Jan. 30, 2026. You can find a summary of the CR and the full text. Congress will need to pass additional legislation before Jan. 30 to prevent another shutdown from occurring.

The funding package includes three full-year appropriations bills that will fully fund the Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, military construction projects and operations of Congress through Sept. 30, 2026.

The bill guarantees backpay for furloughed workers, requires the administration to rehire federal workers who were laid off through reduction in force (RIF) efforts since Oct. 1, and prevents future RIFs during the CR (through Jan. 30, 2026). Notably, this bill progressed despite lacking any extension of the Affordable Care Act premium tax subsidies (though Republican leadership has promised a December vote). These subsidies will expire on Dec. 31, 2025, absent further congressional action prior to that date. Members of both chambers are continuing active negotiations over a possible extension of the subsidies.

Also included in the funding package is an extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities through Jan. 30, 2026. This includes delaying the requirement that patients receiving mental health services via telehealth must have at least one in-person visit in the six months preceding their first telehealth appointment. We anticipate that telehealth claims that have been on hold may be paid retroactive to Oct. 1. However, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will likely need to issue guidance clarifying that these claims can now be paid, or if a provider rendered a service on or after Oct.1 that held a claim, that it can now be submitted for reimbursement. We will keep you updated on any guidance issued by CMS over the coming days.

Survey Results

Relatedly, on Oct. 27, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing circulated a survey to collect data on the federal government shutdown and its impact on our members.

The survey is now closed, and we have prepared a summary of the results. Members voiced concerns regarding the financial impact of the shutdown on their organizations, as well as the effects on their clients (including those caused by the pause of SNAP benefits).

As you’ll see, the results also highlight issues extending beyond the direct impact of the shutdown. Members also expressed concerns over the potential expiration of the Affordable Care Act premium tax credits and policy changes affecting Medicaid. These policy changes include the Medicaid provisions of H.R.1, legislation signed into law in July which introduces new work requirements, more frequent eligibility redeterminations, and cost-sharing requirements, among others.

We’re grateful to those of you who completed the survey for taking the time to provide your valuable feedback. We will use these survey results to inform lawmakers of the risks presented by potential future shutdowns and broader policy changes affecting the field, which impact mental health and substance use care providers and the millions of people they serve across the country.

If you have questions about the funding package or the survey results, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Policy Team at policy@thenationalcouncil.org. Thank you!