The deadline to pass necessary appropriations bills to avoid a government shutdown is quickly approaching (Sept. 30th), and the possibility that Congress will pass a continuing resolution (CR) is becoming increasingly likely. Speaker Pelosi has publicly expressed that Democrats are in favor of passing a ‘clean’ CR, and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Richard Shelby (R-AL) has acknowledged that negotiators will need to decide what a ‘clean’ CR encompasses, saying that he does not think hurricane relief and defense anomalies should be part of a ‘clean’ CR. Another point of negotiation will be how long the CR will last. It is rumored that Democrats are in favor of a CR that will last until early next year, while Republicans are interested in a CR that will last until December. According to the Coalition for Health Funding, the Senate is not likely to post or mark-up any of their appropriations bills before October, possibly not until after the election.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers have targeted and attacked the 340B Drug Pricing Program for the past few months. Their actions caused the National Rural Health Association to send a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar urging him to instruct the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to exert all regulatory authority to rein in these pharmaceutical manufacturers and ensure the longevity and integrity of this critical lifeline. In response, HRSA told 340B Report they are investigating whether manufacturer policies to restrict 340B pricing at contract pharmacies violates statute. Members of Congress returned to Washington, D.C. with a renewed focus on protecting the 340B program. Several letters, including one authored by Representatives McKinley (R-WV) and DeGette (D-CO) have circulated among Capitol Hill offices for Members to sign-on.

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden introduced a new platform for improving rural America. A large focus of Biden’s plan was on rural health. He said, “Keeping our rural hospitals open is critical not only for saving lives but also supporting local economies.” Also included in Biden’s plan is an increased focus on rural broadband access, as well as significant provisions for rural America’s agricultural communities.