Academy Remains Troubled About the Government Shutdown & its Impact on the Health of Communities

The American Academy of Nursing (Academy) remains troubled about the government shutdown and its impact on our communities, vital federal programs, and the federal employees administering them. While we would like to see the shutdown end as soon as possible, we are equally concerned about the critical policy issues that impact access to health care in the United States.

The Academy is on record supporting the extension of the ACA tax credits, which is currently being debated. These credits must be extended to maintain access and provide coverage for cost-effective health care at a time when monthly premiums are significantly increasing and some individuals will lose subsidies entirely.

At the same time we are concerned about reduction in force efforts at agencies such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Administration for Children and Families as well as the elimination of extensions for key programs such as the Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative and Medicare telehealth services. These are just a few examples of the significant impact of the shutdown on the American public.

“Addressing affordable health care coverage is just as critical as funding vital federal health programs. They are interconnected, and Congress has the ability to resolve both simultaneously. The Academy’s vision is healthy lives for all people, and we must work with policymakers to see these programs and provisions be protected," said American Academy of Nursing President Linda D. Scott, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FNAP, FADLN, FAAN.

The Academy calls on Congress to protect health care.