How the Shutdown Might Affect Your Health

Experts warn a shutdown of the federal government could carry serious consequences for public health, with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) furloughing about half of its employees, reports Kaiser Health News . The HHS shutdown contingency involves the suspension of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) flu-tracking program, which one expert says is bad timing, since the U.S. is at the height of a particularly severe season. The University of Michigan's Dr. Arnold Monto notes a shutdown also will impact the CDC's participation in key decisions about next year's flu vaccine. Meanwhile, the National Institutes of Health will stop enrolling new patients in clinical trials during a shutdown, which could have grave outcomes for many with life-threatening illnesses. Medicare will be mostly unaffected by a shutdown, with enrollees continuing to receive insurance coverage and get their reimbursement payments to medical providers processed; however, a prolonged closure could delay the delivery of those checks. States already have their funding for Medicaid through the second quarter, so no curtailment of coverage for enrollees or payments to providers is anticipated. On the other hand, the Administration for Community Living will be unable to fund federal senior nutrition programs during a shutdown. This could delay federal reimbursements to independent Meals on Wheels programs, forcing programs to expand waiting lists for meals, reduce meals or delivery days, or suspend service.