Millions Face Health Risks as Government Shutdown Halts Care Services

Millions of Americans are at increased risk of serious health issues, including strokes and heart attacks, due to the shutdown of critical home health services linked to the federal government. With Congress unable to agree on funding, essential programs that provide medical care at home for seniors have come to a standstill.

The shutdown has led to the expiration of funding for hospital-at-home programs, which offer Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older the same level of care they would receive in a hospital, but from the comfort of their homes. These programs, including the Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, allow patients to receive regular virtual doctor visits, in-person nursing care, and remote monitoring after surgery or illness.

Last year, over 6.7 million seniors relied on telehealth services for their medical needs. These programs address the needs of patients who may struggle to visit hospitals due to mobility issues, financial constraints, or distance from medical facilities. They provide comprehensive care, including daily visits from physicians and nurses, diagnostic tests, and therapies, including intravenous treatments.

As the government shutdown continues, providers report that they are unable to guarantee payments for these services. Medicare’s expanded telehealth benefits expired on September 30, 2025, which means that seniors can no longer access virtual appointments unless they reside in rural areas. Critical therapies, such as physical and speech therapy, are also no longer covered remotely.

Mass General Brigham in Boston, one of the largest home hospital programs in the United States, has begun to reduce its services. A representative from Hackensack Meridian Health confirmed that the organization has ceased admitting new patients into its home health program, attributing this decision to the expiration of the federal waiver.

In addition to the immediate impact on care access, many patients who depend on these services are managing chronic health conditions that elevate their risk of severe medical events. Statistics indicate that two in five seniors on Medicare have heart disease, while over a third live with diabetes. Approximately 64% have high blood pressure, and nearly 4% experience a stroke each year.

The emergence of hospital-at-home programs began during the COVID-19 pandemic when healthcare systems shifted to online platforms to accommodate patient needs. These initiatives provided acute-level care directly in patients’ homes, allowing for a more convenient and often safer recovery process. This model was initially supported through emergency waivers from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which must be periodically extended by Congress. Currently, with both political parties at an impasse, these waivers have lapsed.

As of October 2024, around 31,000 seniors had utilized hospital-at-home programs across 400 hospitals in 39 states. The cessation of these services reflects broader concerns about the healthcare system’s ability to support vulnerable populations.

Advocates, including the American Telemedicine Association and the Center for Connected Health Policy, have expressed alarm over the shutdown’s impact on millions of seniors who depend on telehealth services. The suspension of these programs disproportionately affects individuals in rural or underserved regions, those with disabilities, and anyone who relies on virtual visits for managing chronic conditions or mental health.

The consequences of the shutdown extend beyond service interruptions. Healthcare providers are facing financial strain, with many hospitals absorbing costs or implementing contingency plans to communicate potential out-of-pocket expenses to patients. Some providers continue to offer telehealth services in hopes of securing retroactive reimbursement, while others are suspending new virtual appointments altogether.

As negotiations continue, the ramifications of the shutdown on healthcare access for seniors remain a pressing concern, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution that prioritizes patient care and safety.