Story perspectives

Government Shutdown Disrupts Telehealth for 4 Million Medicare Recipients

10/14/2025

Summary

Story summary

The federal government shutdown has halted telehealth and hospital-at-home programs for Medicare recipients, affecting more than 4 million beneficiaries.
These programs gained pandemic traction and enabled remote care.
Many patients must cancel appointments or face insurance confusion.
Hospitals struggle to transfer patients, causing overcrowding and strained care.
Experts say Congress must prioritize healthcare infrastructure and access, not just reopen operations.

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Story summary

The federal government shutdown has halted telehealth and hospital-at-home programs for Medicare recipients, affecting more than 4 million beneficiaries.
These programs gained pandemic traction and enabled remote care.
Many patients must cancel appointments or face insurance confusion.
Hospitals struggle to transfer patients, causing overcrowding and strained care.
Experts say Congress must prioritize healthcare infrastructure and access, not just reopen operations.