The Senate passed a funding package for the Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education departments and now must reconcile its version with House-passed legislation.

Senate leaders hope to pass by Labor Day legislation to appropriate funds for the Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education departments; a Senate committee will examine Medicaid fraud.

Lawmakers approve funding for the federal government through April 28, 2017, and pass legislation that includes two key advocacy wins for essential hospitals: socioeconomic risk adjustment and partial relief from outpatient department payment cuts.

Congress plans to vote on a continuing resolution to keep the government running past Dec. 9. The Senate is expected to pass 21st Century Cures legislation.

Lawmakers are closing in on negotiations for 21st Century Cures legislation and also working to complete a short-term continuing resolution to fund the federal government through March 2017.

The impending full control of government by Republicans is expected to kick start discussions about repealing the Affordable Care Act and passing entitlement reform.

On Sept. 27, the Senate failed to invoke cloture, which would have allowed it to move to final passage of the continuing resolution.

At stake is funding to combat the Zika virus, among several other policy issues that have kept the measure from moving forward.

Congress seems likely to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government beyond Sept. 30. Lawmakers also are expected to approve funding to combat Zika.

When Congress resumes, it will race to pass legislation to keep the government running beyond Sept. 30.

This week, the Senate votes on the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. Last week, the House passed a mental health bill in a bipartisan vote.

To avoid a government shutdown, Congress might have to pass an omnibus appropriations measure if lawmakers fail to reach spending agreements by Sept. 30.

The legislation would incorporate risk adjustment for socioeconomic status into Medicare's Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program.

House and Senate lawmakers negotiate omnibus appropriations bill and two-year extension of tax cuts, but fail to provide relief on new Medicare site-neutral payment policy for hospital outpatient departments.

This week congressional action is slow as lawmakers prepare for the papal visit. With a government shutdown only days away, lawmakers work to reach funding negotiations amid Planned Parenthood debate.

Planned Parenthood remains an issue in government funding. Congress considers hospital bills, Medicare Part B premiums, medical innovation, health care competition, and Medicaid fraud and abuse, vows to focus on mental health.

The hospital-related NOTICE Act was sent to the president last week. An ACA repeal vote remains likely for fall along with the potential for a government shutdown.

House votes on defense and late-term abortions, while the Senate votes on the trade bill, faces pharma pressure on biologics. Health committees review 21st Century Cures and Medicare patients' chronic conditions.

Final spending agreement averts government closure, but leaves some Democrats upset over easing of Wall Street regulation and school lunch health requirements

Congress must past spending legislation before Dec. 11, governors request CHIP funding extension, Cassidy defeats Landrieu.

Congress works to finalize several measures, including an omnibus spending package to extend federal funding. The House Committee on Energy and Commerce will review CHIP.

Impact of president's recent action on immigration could complicate congressional passage of FY 2015 spending bill; leadership changes progress for key health committees in House, Senate

Lame duck session starts this week, will cover federal funding legislation, which may include funding for Ebola and defense. Association testified on behalf of its members regarding Ebola.

Congress concluded business until after the Nov. 4 election, passing legislation to fund the government through Dec. 11. Bills funding children's health services and addressing postacute care quality were also sent to the president's desk.

Congress meets this week to extend federal funding through Dec. 11. Other legislative considerations include medical device tax, VA authorities, and the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program. Committees will address CHIP, Ebola, and the ACA.

This week, Congress will likely consider a CR, allowing non-ACA-compliant group health insurance plans through 2018, extending the Emergency Medical Services for Children Program, and several health-related items.

Under consideration will be a federal funding extension and a House bill to grandfather non-ACA-compliant group health plans