Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025
Mar 15, 2025
Mar 15, 2025
Summary
Provides money to keep government agencies running for the 2025 fiscal year and continues several health and other government programs.
What problem does this solve?
Without new funding, government agencies would have to shut down, and important health and safety programs would expire. This act gives money to all government departments to continue their work through fiscal year 2025 and extends the deadlines for many programs.
Who does this affect?
- Federal government employees
- U.S. military personnel
- Recipients of federal health services
What does this law do?
Funds the federal government for fiscal year 2025
Provides funding for all federal departments and agencies to continue operations through September 30, 2025, generally based on 2024 spending levels.
Sets specific funding levels for the Department of Defense
Establishes detailed budgets for military personnel, operations, maintenance, equipment purchases, and research for fiscal year 2025, rather than just continuing previous levels.
Extends funding for key public health programs
Continues funding through September 30, 2025, for community health centers, the National Health Service Corps, and special diabetes programs.
Continues expanded telehealth options for Medicare
Extends pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities through September 30, 2025, allowing patients to access care from home, including through audio-only calls.
Provides billions for disaster relief
Appropriates $22.51 billion to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund to respond to major disasters.
Bans earmarks from the previous year
Specifies that any congressionally directed spending items, or earmarks, included in the 2024 funding bills will have no legal effect on the money provided in this act.
Extends emergency classification of fentanyl-related drugs
Continues the temporary order that classifies fentanyl-related substances as illegal Schedule I drugs through September 30, 2025.
Delays cuts to Medicaid payments for hospitals
Postpones scheduled reductions in Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments, which help hospitals that serve a large number of low-income patients.
What is the real world impact?
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Avoids a government shutdown without long-term planning
Uses a stopgap measure to fund the government at previous levels, which may not reflect current needs. This allows Congress to avoid making difficult decisions on individual spending bills.
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Ensures continuity of government services
Provides necessary funding to keep all federal departments and agencies operating without interruption. This prevents the disruption of services that people rely on, such as national security and health programs.
When does this start?
Provides funding for government operations through September 30, 2025, and extends various programs until that date or later.
Reference
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Extension for community health centers, National Health Service Corps...
Health program extensions
Funding for community health centers, the National Health Service Corps, and special diabetes programs is extended from April 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025.
Telehealth flexibilities extension
Flexibilities for telehealth services under Medicare, such as removing geographic restrictions and allowing audio-only visits, are extended through September 30, 2025.