Catholic Health Association Statement on the Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA) President and CEO Sr. Mary Haddad, RSM, issued the following statement on the government shutdown.

"We urge Congress to come together to fund the government for Fiscal Year 2026 and extend vital health and safety net programs that millions rely on. A government shutdown jeopardizes the health and stability of millions of families-especially those living paycheck to paycheck and communities that depend on essential services. The ripple effects of inaction extend across the economy, deepening hardship for those already most vulnerable.

We encourage lawmakers to swiftly work together to end the shutdown and preserve critical health programs. This includes extending essential telehealth flexibilities, preventing harmful Medicaid cuts to safety net hospitals, addressing the disproportionate burden of payments carried by hospitals serving underserved communities, and extending enhanced premium tax credits that are vital for millions of working Americans to purchase affordable health insurance for themselves and their families.

When partisan gridlock leads to a shutdown, those who are poor, sick, and marginalized suffer most-precisely those we are called to protect. Failure to act-whether by not funding the government or by allowing critical health programs to lapse-will result in higher health care costs, the loss of coverage for millions, and damaging disruption to the delivery of care in underserved American communities."

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