Congress is currently in its August recess, with the House returning Aug. 31 and the Senate returning Sept. 14. Once back in Washington, D.C., lawmakers must address government funding and pass a continuing resolution before Oct. 1 to avoid a federal government shutdown.
Before departing Washington, lawmakers advanced several priorities important to orthopaedic surgeons and their patients. Notably, the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act passed both the House Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce Committees with unanimous bipartisan support, moving prior authorization reform one step closer to becoming law. AAOS also appreciates the Senate’s inclusion of language delaying implementation of the proposed Office of Management and Budget Uniform Guidance rule, helping protect critical medical research funding.