Government Shutdown Temporarily Avoided

On Thursday, December 6, both the House and Senate passed a two-week continuing resolution to extend the spending deadline, and to keep the government open, until December 21. While any threat to a government shutdown did not affect the CDC, it did have a potential to shutdown the Indian Health Service until a budget was passed. As you remember, the budget hold-up was largely around funding for the border wall; it looks like there continues to be some discussions happening around how and what that funding will look like.

340B

The Administration has finalized a rule that will penalize drug makers for overcharging in the 340B discount program. This rule will take effect January 1. HHS has said that penalization will likely only happen when drug manufacturers “knowingly and intentionally” overcharge programs.