Continuing Resolution Creates Significant Changes to Medicare and Medicaid Policies

The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, commonly referred to as the “Continuing Resolution,” was recently signed into law, creating a short-term fix to funding the federal government for six weeks while also raising the debt ceiling for one year and increasing spending limits for two years. The primary purpose of the Continuing Resolution (Pub. L. 115-123) was to authorize federal government spending and renew commitments to programs like the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). However, the Continuing Resolution, which was signed Feb. 9, also contained a number of legislative changes with important implications for Medicare coverage, fraud & abuse, and value-based payment initiatives. These changes will continue to impact the Medicare program long after the resolution expires.