ARN Health Policy Digest – September 2026

We are pleased to present the September issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This issue includes information on IRF and SNF final rules, appropriations update, and an action alert. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses. 

CMS Releases Final IRF and SNF Rules

CMS has released the final rules for the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRF) and the Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) for fiscal year (FY) 2027. ARN commented on both rules using feedback from ARN members. The IRF and SNF Prospective Payment Systems (PPS) final rules will take effect in the next fiscal year (FY) which is FY 2027.

The IRF final rule finalizes the updates to the IRF PPS with an adjustment of 2.3% based on the IRF market basket update of 3.2%. The rule also finalizes the requirement for all therapy treatments or therapy evaluations to occur within 36 hours from midnight on the day of admission which will be called the 36-hour requirement. The requirement for an initial meeting of the Interdisciplinary Team to occur within 4 days of admission of a patient is also finalized in this rule.

The SNF final rule finalizes the update to the SNF PPS by 2.4% based on the final SNF market basked of 3.3%. The rule also finalizes the removal of two measures from the SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP), the COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Healthcare Personnel measure, and the COVID-19 Vaccine: Percent of Patients/Residents Who Are UP to Date measure.Additionally, the rule finalized the revised data submission timeframe from 4.5 months to approximately 45 days which will take effect with the FY 2029 SNF QRP.

What's up with Congress?

Although Congress has been on recess for the month of August, both chambers passed differing continuing resolutions (CRs) that pushed the government funding deadline to early December, as well as budget resolutions bills that will unlock the budget reconciliation process for a third budget reconciliation bill. The House CR extended the funding deadline to December 4, and was a clean CR, meaning it did not include any of the anomalies put forth by the White House for inclusion in the bill. The Senate CR was different as it extends government funding until December 11 and, notably for ARN members, includes a delay of the implementation of the OMB final rule on Federal Financial Guidance. This rule was supposed to take effect at the beginning of FY 2027, on October 1, but the CR that passed the Senate pushed this enactment date until December. This delay is important as it represents Senate bipartisan opposition to the OMB final rule and an attempt by Senators to go against the administration.

Additionally, both the House and the Senate passed different versions of a budget resolution that will tee up a third budget reconciliation bill that Congress is looking to pass before November elections. This reconciliation bill will focus on providing funding for defense, farm aid, and election-related provisions, and will likely not include any healthcare provisions. 

Take Action! Urge Congress to Pass the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act

​ARN needs your help to support the reauthorization of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Title VIII Nursing Workforce programs (H.R.3593/S.1874). Please fill out the action alert to urge your Members of Congress to support the passage of this legislation. These programs are critical to supporting and bolstering the nursing workforce by making a career in nursing more accessible. Without reauthorization of the programs, they will not be able to receive appropriations funding and therefore will be effectively eliminated. The ongoing nursing shortages will worsen, causing greater stress on the current workforce, faster nurse burnout, and decreased access to care therefore creating a more acute shortage.

The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act has passed out of the Senate HELP committee and is going to be considered on the Senate floor. In the House, the bill has passed out of the Energy and Commerce committee Health subcommittee and will be considered by the whole committee. Despite positive movement from this bill in both chambers, it is crucial that ARN members show their support for the continued movement of the bill through Congress to ensure its final passage.

ARN Conference 

ARN held its annual conference this year from August 2-4 in West Palm Beach, FL. Our advocacy team had a wonderful time presenting on Health Policy and Advocacy: Using Your Voice to Make Change. Thank you to Anne Ruggiero for her participation in the presentation! We were able to present on best practices for advocacy for rehabilitation nurses, as well as a health policy and government refresher. We are excited to build momentum with ARN members to join health policy and advocacy endeavors.

Notice of Funding Opportunities

​Below is a list of other funding opportunities for interested ARN members.

• Community Partnered Nursing Research Centers (P20 Clinical Trial Optional) (PAR-25-439)
• Leveraging Nursing Research to Advance Healthy School Environments for All (FOR-NR-25-002)
• Limited Competition: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Postdoctoral Research Training Grant for the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program (T32 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (PAR-25-195)
• NINR Mentoring Resources and Activities (FOR-NR-25-003)
• Advancing Nutrition-related Research Across the Lifespan (FOR-NR-25-001)
• Research Enhancement Award Program (REAP) for Health Professional Schools and Graduate Schools (FOR-PAR-25-420)
• Strategies to Improve Health Outcomes and Reduce Health Disparities in Rural Populations (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) (FOR-NR-25-007)