On February 3, 2026, Congress passed H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, providing full-year funding for a broad array of federal agencies and programs after a brief partial government shutdown earlier in the week. The legislation combines several FY 2026 appropriations measures, including for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), into one consolidated spending package that funds these departments through September 30, 2026.
In addition to appropriations, H.R. 7148 incorporates several public health extenders. Importantly, the bill includes an extension of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) through the end of 2026 at an annualized level of $200 million. This is a $40 million (25%) increase compared to the prior year. Another key provision in the bill is the extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities, including audio-only services, through December 31, 2027. First authorized during the COVID-19 public health emergency, these flexibilities have been renewed multiple times on a short-term basis. This extension is notable as the first semi-long-term renewal since the end of the public health emergency, signaling continued bipartisan support for preserving telehealth access while Congress considers permanent policy changes.
Beyond SDPI and telehealth, the legislation also extends funding for certain primary care and workforce support programs through the end of 2026. These include continued appropriations for community health centers, the National Health Service Corps, and teaching health centers that operate graduate medical education (GME) programs.
