The November government reopening has temporarily extended funding and key telehealth flexibilities through January 2026, setting a tight deadline for permanent legislative action. Meanwhile, the healthcare landscape continued expansion as licensing compacts like the IMLC and Social Work Compact report strong growth, reinforcing workforce mobility. At the state level, policy markers are actively addressing new frontiers, from establishing the first AI regulations in mental health to enhancing workforce data transparency and modernizing CME requirements.
Federal Activity
The Long Pause Ends: 40 Days Later, Washington Reopens
The continuing resolution (CR) signed on November 12 to end the shutdown extends federal government funding—and with it, existing telehealth flexibilities—through January 30, 2026. While this extension preserves the current policies for now, it remains a temporary measure and does not establish permanent authority for telehealth.
Given that these flexibilities expire at the end of the CR period, stakeholders—including providers, payers, and health systems—are proactively engaging policymakers to advance legislation that would make these policies permanent. There is growing bipartisan momentum in Congress to address broader telehealth policy, and the period leading up to January 30, 2026 presents a strategic window for health associations and other stakeholders to build support for long-term telehealth authority.
DEA Telehealth Prescribing Extension - Pending
The DEA has announced its intent to issue a fourth extension of the telehealth prescribing flexibilities for controlled substances. These temporary authorities were most recently extended in November 2024 and are set to expire on December 31, 2025. Under the current temporary rules, which have been in place for nearly six years, DEA-registered providers may prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances via telehealth without first conducting an in-person medical examination.
A further extension would preserve the existing regulatory environment and provide telehealth prescribers with continued operational certainty while the agency works to finalize a permanent prescribing framework.
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoDetails?rrid=1162112
Workforce Data Dashboard Legislation
The Health Care Workforce Real-Time Data Dashboard Act (S. 3038), introduced by Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), seeks to enhance transparency and efficiency in health care workforce planning. The legislation would establish a real-time data dashboard focused on graduate medical education (GME) training positions across the United States. The proposed dashboard would collect and publicly display up-to-date information on key metrics such as:
- Available residency positions and unfilled slots
- Match and interview rates across specialties
- Geographic distribution of residency programs and physicians in training
- Other workforce indicators relevant to healthcare access and capacity
November 5, 2025 - Deadline for Rural Transformation Funding Submissions
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has closed the submission period for the Rural Transformation Funding program. CMS will now review all applications for completeness and eligibility before proceeding to a merit-based evaluation to determine funding allocations. Award announcements are expected by December 31, 2025, with distribution of funds to begin shortly thereafter.
Compact Updates
Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) Updates
New Mexico
As of November 10, 2025, the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) includes 42 states, Washington, D.C., and Guam. On October 1-2, 2025, New Mexico held a special legislative session in which the Governor asked lawmakers to study the potential benefits of joining the Compact. No findings or follow-up actions were released, leaving the state’s future participation uncertain to the public for now.
2025 Annual Report
The IMLCC has released its 2025 Annual Report, themed “On a Mission to Expedite Access to Licensure, to Physicians, to Healthcare.” The report highlights several trends relevant to state policymakers and stakeholders. Notably, the Commission reports a 10% increase in compact applications, and indicates that 40% of all new medical licenses are now being issued through the compact pathway. The data also show that approximately 18% of physicians maintain more than seven licenses, underscoring the value of streamlined, multi-state licensure processes. Additionally, 20% of physicians obtaining licenses through the compact intend to practice in rural or underserved areas, reinforcing the compact’s role in improving workforce mobility and strengthening access to care where it is most needed.
Social Work Licensure Compact Update
As of early November 2025, 31 states have enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact.
State Highlights
Michigan SB 684: Healthcare Licensees’ Disciplinary Record Expungement for Certain Sanctions (Introduced 10/30/2025)
Senate Bill 684 establishes a narrowly tailored process allowing licensed or registered health professionals to petition the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to have a qualifying disciplinary record set aside. The proposal aims to recognize sustained compliance and mitigate lasting reputational and administrative impacts stemming from minor, non-clinical violations.
Key Provisions:
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Eligibility:
- Application permitted no sooner than five years after completion of all Board-imposed sanctions.
- The individual must have:
- No subsequent disciplinary actions or prior expungements; and
- Fully completed all terms of the original sanction.
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Eligible Violations:
- Limited to failure to complete continuing education (CE) requirements discovered through a single audit (not recurring deficiencies).
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Administrative Actions Upon Approval:
- DHHS must process the set-aside within 90 days of approval.
- The disciplinary record will be:
- Updated with the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB);
- Considered nonexistent for purposes of public or professional disclosure; and
- Exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231-15.246).
Michigan HB 4920: Reduction in CME Hours for Physicians, Osteopathic Physicians and Podiatrists
House Bill 4920 has been referred to the Committee on Health policy. The bill’s purpose is to reduce the required continuing education hours for doctors of medicine, osteopathic medicine, and podiatric medicine from 150 to 120 hours starting in 2027, while maintaining content standards and mandatory pain management training.
Florida SB 0036: Clarifies Who May Use Doctoral Titles in the Nursing Profession
The proposed bill amends Section 464.015, Florida Statutes, to clarify and regulate the use of professional nursing titles. It specifically addresses who may use doctoral titles and related abbreviations within the nursing profession.
Pennsylvania HB 1980: Required CME in Nutrition
Pennsylvania HB 1980 would require physicians to complete one hour of continuing medical education (CME) in nutrition during each two-year licensing cycle. The bill passed the House Professional Licensure Committee on October 28, 2025, by a vote of 25-1.
Ohio HB 253: Regulation of Advanced Practice Respiratory Therapists
Recognizes and regulates the practice of advanced practice respiratory therapists, individuals who perform services—pursuant to physician supervision agreements—for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases or conditions under the State Medical Board of Ohio. To renew a license, an applicant must: certify to the State Medical Board that they have maintained an active qualification to practice advanced practice respiratory care through an organization recognized by the Board; this includes completion of all required continuing education for that credential. Meet renewal requirements for prescriptive authority, including completion of at least 12 hours of continuing education in pharmacology during each renewal cycle.
AI in the Delivery of Mental Healthcare
Earlier this year, Illinois became the first state to establish explicit guardrails on the use of AI in behavioral and mental health care with the passage of House Bill 1806, signed by Governor Pritzker and now enacted as Public Act 104-0054.
Several states are now moving in a similar direction, including Florida (HB 281/SB 344, pre-filed for 2026), Ohio (HB 525), and Massachusetts (S.2632). For stakeholder groups—including professional associations, telehealth providers, AI-tool developers, and insurers—these actions signal a clear trend: regulatory scrutiny and oversight of AI use in clinical mental health settings are rapidly increasing.