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Stalemate Deepens as Government Shutdown Hits Historic Length

House Speaker Mike Johnson, joined at left by Rep. Andrew Garbarino, answers questions at a news conference at the Capitol on day 16 of the government shutdown.  The federal government shutdown has now stretched into its 20th day, officially becoming the third-longest in U.S. history. With no breakthrough in sight, the standoff between Democrats and Republicans continues to paralyze Washington. The Senate is scheduled to vote yet again on a funding measure, marking the 11th attempt to end the impasse. However, both sides remain entrenched: Republicans are pushing for a stopgap bill to extend funding at current levels, while Democrats insist on restoring cuts to Medicaid and securing health care subsidies before reopening the government. The shutdown, which began on October 1, has already furloughed hundreds of thousands of federal workers and disrupted key services. If it continues past October 22, it will surpass the 1995-1996 standoff to become the second-longest in U.S. histo...
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Provinces to Fund Nurse Practitioners for Primary Care by 2026

 

Starting in 2026, provincial and territorial health plans will cover primary care provided by nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and midwives. This change is part of a new interpretation of the Canada Health Act, which will take effect on April 1, 2026. Federal Health Minister Mark Holland announced that regulated health-care professionals who aren't doctors will be able to bill the government for medically necessary services that would otherwise be provided by a physician.

The move aims to address the shortage of primary care providers and ensure that patients are not paying out of pocket for necessary care. Holland emphasized that charging patients for these services isn't consistent with universal health care and that nurse practitioners should be able to bill the health-care system the same way doctors do.

This policy change is expected to relieve pressure on primary care physicians and improve access to needed care. The changes will be enforced through federal health transfer payments, which could be deducted if patients are charged for medically necessary care.




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