Members of Congress face a critical funding deadline as they return to the nation's capital at the start of the new year. Most of the federal government continues to operate under a short-term continuing resolution, with permanent funding for remaining appropriations bills or a new continuing resolution needed by Jan. 30 to avoid another shutdown.

This dynamic fiscal environment brings both challenges and opportunities for the cardiovascular community, and the ACC is committed to championing its legislative priorities as lawmakers develop and vote on funding bills for 2026.

Chief among ACC's priorities is avoiding another disruption to vital Medicare telehealth services. Previously, Congress expanded access to Medicare telehealth services through legislation that ended the government shutdown in October 2025. But this extension was temporary, and these flexibilities will expire again if Congress does not act before Jan. 30.

The ACC is urging lawmakers to support the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act (H.R. 4206/S. 1261), which would make telehealth flexibilities permanent and has received majority cosponsorship in the U.S. Senate after ACC members came to Capitol Hill for ACC Legislative Conference 2025. ACC's first action alert of the year, launched yesterday, focuses on this policy priority. ACC members can send a message to their lawmakers endorsing the CONNECT for Health Act and requesting action.

Other legislative policies that are high up on the College's advocacy agenda include addressing Medicare payment reform, improving maternal health outcomes, and pushing for expanded access to AEDs in public spaces. Additionally, the ACC will closely monitor AI-related policies including its influence on payment models and impact on medical liability as federal agencies continue to express interest in harnessing these technologies.

The College will also continue to highlight the importance of strong, sustained investments in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, illustrating to decisionmakers how robust federal funding fuels clinical innovation, improves patient care and strengthens the nation's cardiovascular workforce. For more about how ACC Advocacy is shaping cardiovascular care through action in the year ahead, access ACC's Advocacy Priorities webpage.

Keywords: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S., National Institutes of Health (U.S.), Federal Government, ACC Advocacy, Telemedicine, Medicare, Policy