Dear Senator Thune, Senator Schumer, Speaker Johnson, and Representative Jeffries:

The National Health Council (NHC) is deeply disappointed that Congress was unable to reach an agreement to extend current federal funding or pass FY 2026 appropriation bills resulting in a government shutdown that has now lasted three weeks.

This shutdown jeopardizes the health programs and services that millions of patients depend on every day. People living with chronic diseases and disabilities face heightened stress and uncertainty as access to care, support programs, and research is disrupted.

Critical extensions of health programs and key pieces of health legislation, such as the extension of the ACA enhanced advance premium tax credits (eAPTCs) remain stalled. At the same time, federal health operations are being further diminished through additional reductions in force (RIFs) compounding the strain on an already depleted federal health care workforce. These reductions threaten ongoing public health efforts, research, and essential services and supports for people with chronic diseases and disabilities.

For more than 100 years, the NHC has engaged diverse organizations to drive patient- centered health policies and practices that increase access to affordable, high-value, and sustainable health care for all Americans. The NHC’s membership is composed of more than 180 national health-related organizations; the majority being the nation’s leading patient organizations. Other members include health related associations and nonprofit organizations including the provider, research, and family caregiver communities; and businesses representing biopharmaceutical, device, diagnostic, generic drug, and payer organizations.

The National Health Council urges Congress to act swiftly to restore a fully functioning federal government and to advance bipartisan policies such as

permanent extension of the eAPTCs that strengthen access to affordable, high- quality care for all patients. As always, we stand ready to serve as a resource to policymakers, on patient-focused priorities related to access and affordability, research and innovation, and nonprofit sustainability.

Thank you for your attention to this critical issue. Please contact Kimberly Beer, Senior Vice President, Policy & External Affairs at kbeer@nhcouncil.org or 202-557-9146 with any questions or request for additional information.

Sincerely,

Randall L. Rutta
Chief Executive Officer