From the American Academy of Ophthalmology

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has indicated that operation of the Medicare program – including physician reimbursement – will continue with little disruption in the short term despite this week’s federal government shutdown. Medicaid payments are also being processed. The shutdown, resulting from Congress’ failure to meet its Oct. 1 deadline to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government, is having varied effects on other divisions within the agency:

• National Institutes of Health: Care continues for current NIH clinical center patients and animals, as well as some support for ongoing protocols. However, NIH is not taking any action on research grant applications or awards.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration: The FDA is continuing select vital activities, including drug recalls and civil and criminal investigations. Routine establishment inspections and some compliance and enforcement activities have been suspended, however.

Elsewhere in the government, health care provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is not affected by the shutdown as lawmakers approved its funding last year.