HHS Plans for Shutdown

On Friday, the US Department of Health and Human Services posted its contingency plans if Congress can’t agree on a funding plan by the end of today.

“HHS’ contingency plans for agency operations in the absence of appropriations would lead to furloughing 40, 512 staff and retaining 37,686 staff as of day two of a near-term funding hiatus. Put another way, 52% of HHS employees would be on furlough, and 48% would be retained.”

Many agencies continue work with a reduced staff.

One noteworthy element in the announcement was the announcement that “IHS would be unable to provide funding to Tribes and Urban Indian health programs.”

That could become a significant cash flow hit to ANTHC and other tribal corporations in Alaska.

I’m sure we’ll hear about it at our conference this week.