The U.S. Capitol. Credit: Shutterstock
Members of the U.S. House today voted 217-214 to pass an updated version of a $1.2 trillion spending package and send it to President Donald Trump for his signature.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2026 package provides the funding needed to keep many parts of the federal government operating normally. Those parts of the government shut down Saturday, because the previous batch of appropriations legislation funding those operations expired Friday.
Trump was expected to sign the bill quickly.
The federal government's 2026 fiscal year started Oct. 1, 2025.
The spending package cuts funding for the Internal Revenue Service to $11.2 billion, from $12.3 billion for fiscal year 2025.
The Trump administration had proposed cutting the agency's 2026 funding to $9.8 billion.
The package holds SEC funding flat at $2.149 billion.
The bill also includes many Medicare provisions, such as:
◆ A provision that would require pharmacy benefit managers, or entities that run prescription drug benefit programs, to provide detailed reports to Medicare prescription drug plan issuers. Starting in 2029, Medicare drug plans would have to use "any willing pharmacy" arrangements, meaning that any pharmacy willing to meet their contract terms could serve their enrollees. Owners of independent pharmacies say that will make life easier for patients and keep giant pharmacies from crowding them out. PBMs say the provisions will reduce their bargaining power.
◆ A requirement that the U.S. Government Accountability Office propose options for having Medicare pay for wearable devices. This could help clients who would like to have Medicare pay for an Apple Watch or Fitbit device.
◆ A provision that could let Medicare cover cancer screening blood tests starting in 2029. This could help clients who want to use Medicare to pay for Galleri blood tests and similar blood tests.
◆ Provisions that would extend many current Medicare rules and programs. One would continue to authorize continued use of the broad, temporary Medicare telehealth services coverage rules adopted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Credit: Shutterstock
© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.