Congress to Recess this Week; Lame Duck Session in November - September 29, 2010

After failing to pass much of the end-of-year items on their agenda – including all 12 appropriations bills – both chambers of Congress are expected to recess this week. Before leaving town, Congress will likely pass a short term Continuing Resolution to fund federal government functions from Oct. 1 (the beginning of federal fiscal year 2011) until at least late November. Both chambers will return after the Nov. 2 elections for a lame duck session. It is not clear how productive that session will be, as much of the agenda depends on the outcome of the elections. At the very least, Congress will likely contend with funding the remainder of the fiscal year and an extension of the enhanced payments under the Medicare physicians’ Sustainable Growth Rate. The current “Doc Fix” expires on Nov. 30. NAPH staff are meeting with key members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to retain the $40 million included in the Senate Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill slated to fund the start up of the Community-Based Collaborative Care Networks program and a complementary program to establish “Community Health Teams.”