Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026

This bill keeps the federal government open and extends many health and veteran programs people use every day. It funds agencies at last year’s levels through November 21, 2025, unless full‑year bills pass sooner, adds money to improve security for top federal officials, and lets Washington, DC spend its local budget—avoiding a shutdown and keeping services running.

It also extends key health benefits. Medicare telehealth options, including audio‑only visits and services from community clinics, continue through late November 2025 . Community health centers, the National Health Service Corps, and teaching health centers get short‑term funding from October 1 to November 21, 2025, helping clinics stay open and staffed. The Special Diabetes Programs (including for American Indians and Alaska Natives) are extended with short‑term funding for the same period. Planned cuts to Medicaid hospital payments are delayed, helping hospitals that serve many low‑income patients. The program that enforces surprise medical billing protections gets an extra $15 million for October 1 to November 21, 2025. Veterans’ health and benefits continue, and VA gets tools to help veterans avoid foreclosure through its mortgage Partial Claim Program . The FDA’s over‑the‑counter (OTC) drug program is renewed through 2030, and the government will review how prescription drugs can safely move to OTC status .

• Who is affected: People who rely on federal services; Medicare patients using telehealth; patients at community health centers; people with diabetes; hospitals serving low‑income communities; veterans with VA home loans; consumers who use OTC medicines; and DC residents .
• What changes: Government funded at FY2025 levels; Medicare telehealth extended; clinic and diabetes program funding continued; Medicaid hospital cuts delayed; added funds to enforce surprise billing protections; VA foreclosure‑avoidance tools; FDA’s OTC program renewed and reviewed for Rx‑to‑OTC switches .
• When: Most extensions run through November 21, 2025 (some Medicare items through November 22, 2025); the OTC drug program runs through 2030 .