Government Shutdown Update

This page will be updated as new information becomes available.

As of October 1, 2025, the federal government has shut down after Congress failed to secure funding before the midnight deadline on September 30th. This remains a highly fluid situation as lawmakers continue to negotiate a path forward.

Academy staff and consultants are monitoring this situation and actively engaging with members of Congress to emphasize the critical ramifications this shutdown will have on Academy members and health care systems along with federal nutrition programs.

A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass a budget or a continuing resolution (CR) before the current budget’s expiration date. As a result, federal agencies and departments are left without the necessary funding to operate, causing a cascade of consequences. Essential government functions may continue, but federal employees may be temporarily suspended, and many services may be delayed, interrupted or severely impacted.

The Office of Management and Budget has significant latitude on how agencies and personnel are deemed “essential” and they have indicated in a memo that there could be significant disruption to agencies not deemed a priority of the administration.

What Expiration/Shutdown Means for Health Agencies and Programs

The Academy is focused on ensuring these are extended, with ongoing efforts to secure their inclusion in current legislation.

Telehealth Waivers: Without congressional action, telehealth flexibilities which allow Medicare beneficiaries to receive telehealth services from their home and outside of statutorily defined rural areas expired at midnight on September 30.
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Community Health Centers and Special Diabetes Program: These programs are vital to public health and face funding lapses without reauthorization by September 30.

What Expiration/Shutdown Means for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Nutrition Programs

The Academy is committed to advocating for uninterrupted funding and ensuring these programs remain intact as critical components of nutrition security and access.

SNAP: Critical nutrition programs like SNAP will face operational challenges. While benefits for SNAP may continue temporarily due to state funding draw downs, administrative support and future funding could be disrupted.

WIC Program: WIC could continue to enroll families and provide services, but only as long as currently funding is available. This would impact access to nutritious food for millions of low-income families, especially those relying on WIC benefits for young children and infants.

Child Nutrition Programs: Programs like the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) could face delays in reimbursement funding, creating uncertainties for schools and impacting meal access for children. If a Continuing Resolution (CR) or a full appropriations bill is not passed, these programs may be unable to operate efficiently, leaving vulnerable children at risk of hunger.