- About
- Advocacy
- ADVOCACY
- Health Care Reform Moving Forward
- AHA Advocacy Action Center
- AHA Advocacy Issue Papers
- AHA Health Information Technology Advocacy - Meaningful Use
- FY 2011 IPPS Advocacy
- The Partnership for Action
- Working With Congress
- Health-Related Congressional Committees
- Regulatory Radar Screen
- Coalition to Protect America's Healthcare
- Advocacy Action Alerts
- Compliance
- Ethics of Lobbying
- Special Bulletins
- AHA Advisories
- Letters
- Testimony
- Legal Resource Library
- Regulatory Standards Manual
- Contact Us
- ADVOCACY
- Issues
- ISSUES
- Access and Coverage
- Affordability
- Billings and Collections
- Clinical Integration
- Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities
- Emergency Readiness
- Employee Relations
- Health Care Reform Moving Forward
- Health for Life
- HIPAA
- Health Information Technology
- Immigration
- Liability Reform
- Limited-Service Providers
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Mental Health Services
- Quality and Patient Safety
- Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) Program
- Rural Health Care
- Tax-Exempt Status
- Teaching Hospitals
- Workforce
- INITIATIVES
- ISSUES
- Research and Trends
- News Center
- Member Center
- Resource Center
- Associates
powered by hospitalconnect.com
| |
Contact Us | Help
Our Vision is of a society of healthy communities where
all individuals reach their highest potential for health
all individuals reach their highest potential for health
More What's New
Press Release: Statement on Medicare Final Inpatient Prospective Payment System Rule
Washington D.C. (July 30, 2010)
America's hospitals strongly disagree with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' final inpatient rule.
Read More...
July 30, 2010
AHA letter to Rep. Zack Space expressing support for the Electronic Health Records Incentives for Multi- Campus Hospitals Act of 2010.
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: CMS Releases FY 2011 Inpatient and Long-term Care Final Rule 
July 30, 2010
Ignoring concerns expressed by America's hospitals and a majority of both houses of Congress, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) late today issued its hospital inpatient and long-term care prospective payment system final rule for fiscal year (FY) 2011 that finalizes its proposed 2.9 percent "coding offset."
Read More...
July 30, 2010
AHA letter to Sen. Burgess offering strong support for the Ensuring Equality for Early EHR Adoption Act of 2010.
Read More...
Advisory: GME Provisions in The OPPS/ASC Proposed Rule For CY 2011
July 29, 2010
On July 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) and ambulatory surgical center (ASC) proposed rule for calendar year 2011.
Read More...
Advisory: Medicare Outpatient PPS and ASC Proposed Rule for CY 2011
July 28, 2010
On July 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) and ambulatory surgical center (ASC) proposed rule for calendar year (CY) 2011. In addition to updating OPPS and ASC payment weights and rates, the proposed rule includes both OPPS and inpatient PPS changes enacted by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). The inpatient issues, including graduate medical education and physician self-referral regulation changes, will be addressed in a separate Regulatory Advisory
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: Mandatory Quality Data Reporting Deadline Approaching
July 28, 2010
Hospitals participating in the pay-for-reporting program under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system must indicate whether they participate in systematic databases for cardiac surgery, stroke or nursing-sensitive care, and acknowledge the accuracy and completeness of their quality data to receive their full annual payment update for fiscal year 2011.
Read More...
Brad Gray article in Trustee magazine Re: Schedule H
July 27, 2010
Article by Brad Gray, "Does It All Add Up? Flaws in Schedule H community benefit reporting will affect nonprofit multihospital systems" in Trustee magazine, March 2010
Read More...
Advocacy Update: This Week in Washington
July 26, 2010
Congress will break soon for its August recess - the House is scheduled to adjourn at the end of this week, while the Senate is expected to remain in session through next week.
Read More...
Letter: AHA, Health Groups to IRS RE: Additional Comments Regarding Schedule H Reporting
July 26, 2010
Additinal Comments Regarding Reporting By Tax-Exempt Hospitals on Schedule H of IRS Form 990
Read More...
July 23, 2010
AHA's comments to CMS regarding the proposed changes to the Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoPs) for the credentialing and privileging of telemedicine physicians and practitioners.
Read More...
Letter: AHA, Health Groups comments to IRS Re: Internal Revenue Code 501(r)
July 22, 2010
AHA, Health Groups submit comments to IRS new requirements for tax-exempt hospitals under 501(r)
Read More...
Brochure: AHA Strategy for Implementing Health Care Reform
July 22, 2010
Implementing Health Care Reform Brochure, Message Card
Read More...
Letter: AHA, Health Groups to Senate Re: Jobs Bill that Includes FMAP Extension
July 22, 2010
AHA, health groups' letter urging the Senate to pass a jobs bill that includes a 6 month FMAP extension.
Read More...
Letter: AHA Comments CDC's Updated Guidance on Prevention Strategies for Seasonal Influenza
July 22, 2010
AHA comments to CDC regarding the CDCs Updated Guidance on Prevention Strategies for Seasonal Influenza in Healthcare Settings.
Read More...
Press Release: AHA Board Elects Teri Fontenot Chair-Elect Designate
Washington D.C. (July 22, 2010)
The American Hospital Association's (AHA) Board of Trustees has elected Teri G. Fontenot, president and CEO of Woman's Hospital in Baton Rouge, La. as its chair-elect designate.
Read More...
Letter: Health Organizations to Senate: Re: Pandemic Influenza Preparedness
July 21, 2010
Health organizations letter to the Senate regarding pandemic Influenza Preparedness.
Read More...
Press Release: Three Hospitals Honored for Commitment to Quality
Washington D.C. (July 21, 2010)
The 2010 American Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality Prize was awarded to McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, S.C., which will receive $50,000.
Read More...
Advisory: Temporary Certification Program for Health Information Technology: Final Rule
July 20, 2010
On June 24, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) published in the Federal Register a final rule establishing a temporary certification program for health information technology. The rule, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-14999.pdf, is effective immediately.
Read More...
July 20, 2010
As the CMS prepares its fiscal year (FY) 2011 final rule on the hospital inpatient prospective payment system (PPS), we would like to present two additional independent studies for your consideration.
Read More...
July 19, 2010
AHA letter to Senator Kay Hagan of support for legislation, S. 3596, The Culture of Safety Hospital Accountability Act.
Read More...
Action Alert: Keep Up the Pressure on IPPS Cut
July 19, 2010
Fifty-two members of the Senate last week signed a letter to CMS Administrator Donald Berwick, M.D., urging the agency to rethink its proposed 2.9 percent cut to hospitals fiscal year (FY) 2011 Medicare inpatient payments.
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: CMS Issues Post-Acute Payment Updates
July 19, 2010
Last Friday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released updates for four post-acute payment systems.
Read More...
July 16, 2010
AHA letter to Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Support for the Development of the Self-Referral Disclosure Protocol Required Under the PPACA.
Read More...
Report: Trends in Case-Mix in the Medicare Population
July 15, 2010
Partha Deb Professor of Economics Hunter College and the Graduate Center City University of New York
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: CMS Releases Final Definition of 'Meaningful Use' of HIT
July 14, 2010
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) yesterday released its final rule defining meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs). At the same time, the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology (IT) issued a final rule that sets certification criteria, standards and implementation specifications for EHR technology. Taken together, these regulations set EHR adoption requirements that hospitals and physicians must meet under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 to qualify for additional Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments beginning in 2011 and to avoid significant payment penalties in 2015 and later years.
Read More...
Advisory: PPACA: GRANT OPPORTUNITIES OF INTEREST TO HOSPITALS
July 14, 2010
In late March, President Obama enacted the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA). The law contains a number of grants and contract opportunities for states, hospitals and other health care entities.
Read More...
Press Release: Statement on Final Rule on "Meaningful Use" and Health Information Technology Funding
Washington D.C. (July 13, 2010)
America's hospitals are working to advance the quality of care they provide to patients and communities through greater adoption and use of electronic health records (EHRs).
Read More...
July 13, 2010
AHA Letter to the US House of Representatives expressing AHA's support for the Veterans' Seniors' and Children's Health Technical Corrections Act of 2010.
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: Final 'Meaningful Use,' Certification Rules Released
July 13, 2010
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today released the final rule defining "meaningful use" of electronic health records (EHRs).
Read More...
Transition to MS-DRGs: Issues in Measuring Documentation and Coding Change
July 12, 2010
The Moran Company was asked to examine CMS' approach and determine if it is an appropriate method to isolate documentation and coding from the other factors that could affect the Case Mix Index (CMI).
Read More...
Action Alert: IPPS 'Dear Colleague' Letter, FMAP Extension Need Action
July 12, 2010
Congress returns today from a week-long Independence Day district work period. However, the legislative calendar is packed with less than a month remaining until the August recess. We need to continue to press Congress for swift action on the following critical issues:
Read More...
Letter: House of Representatives to CMS Administrator Berwick Re: The IPPS Coding Offset
July 12, 2010
Letter from House of Representatives to CMS Administrator Berwick Re: The IPPS Coding Offset
Read More...
Letter: AHA and OHA letter to OIA Re: Notice of Intent to Exclude The Christ Hospital
July 12, 2010
AHA and OHA express concern regarding the Notice of Intent to Exclude The Christ Hospital issued on May 24, 2010 by DHHS Office of Inspector General
Read More...
Press Release: Programs Bring Innovation to Palliative and End-of-Life Care
Washington D.C. (July 12, 2010)
Three programs that expand the reach of palliative and end-of-life care will be recognized as the 2010 recipients of the Circle of Life AwardŽ: Celebrating Innovation in Palliative and End-of-Life Care, along with five others that will be awarded Citations of Honor.
Read More...
Advisory: Notification of Employee Rights Under Federal Labor Laws: Final Rule Requirements
July 08, 2010
The Department of Labor (DOL) in the May 20 Federal Register published a final rule implementing the requirement of Executive Order 13496 (E.O. 13496) for federal contractors and subcontractors to post notices informing employees of their rights under federal labor laws.
Read More...
Letter: Advancing Patient Safety Coalition Urges the FDA to immediately issue rules on UDI
July 07, 2010
Letter to the FDA on behalf of the Advancing Patient Safety Coalition, urging the agency to immediately issue rules on unique device identification (UDI).
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: CMS Releases Proposed Rule for CY2011 Outpatient and ASC Payment
July 06, 2010
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on July 2 released the outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) and the ambulatory surgical center (ASC) payment system proposed rule for calendar year (CY) 2011.
Read More...
Letter: AHA to CMS: Changes to the provider and supplier enrollment process
July 06, 2010
AHA comments on CMS's interim final rule (IFR) on the changes to the provider and supplier enrollment process, ordering and referring providers and documentation requirements.
Read More...
Press Release: Hospitals Honored for Improving Community Health
Washington D.C. (July 06, 2010)
The American Hospital Association (AHA) announced today that it will honor five programs for their hospital-led collaborative efforts that improve community health, awarding them the AHA NOVA Award.
Read More...
Advisory: Hospital Compare: New ED and Outpatient Information; Annual Update to Readmission and...
July 02, 2010
In early July, information on care provided in the hospital outpatient setting will be publicly available for the first time on the public-private website, Hospital Compare (www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov). These data include clinical information about patients who go to the emergency department because of chest pain or other heart attack symptoms; have outpatient surgery; and receive outpatient imaging services. All of the other data displayed on Hospital Compare are being updated, including hospital readmission and mortality rates for patients with heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia. The release of outpatient information and the updated readmission and mortality rates may generate interest from patients, your community and the media. We expect the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to release the data in early July, and in the past, they have given selected reporters Hospital Compare data in advance.
Read More...
July 01, 2010
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the draft test procedure for evaluating conformance of complete electronic health records (EHRs) or EHR modules with respect to the reporting of quality measures.
Read More...
Action Alert: A Recess To-Do List
July 01, 2010
Congress recesses tomorrow for a week-long Independence Day district work period. While your Members of Congress are home, please take advantage of the opportunity to speak with them and share your thoughts on the hospital field's top legislative priorities.
Read More...
Letter: AHA to Senate Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee
June 30, 2010
The AHA asks the Senate Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittees to give strong and favorable consideration to health care programs that have proven successful in improving access to quality health care.
Read More...
Letter: AHA to House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee
June 30, 2010
The AHA asks the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittees to give strong and favorable consideration to health care programs that have proven successful in improving access to quality health care. GME
Read More...
Letter: NLRB's RFI about secure electronic voting services for Board-supervised elections
June 30, 2010
AHA, ASHHRA, and AONE comments on the National Labor Relations Board's "Request for Information" (RFI), which asks vendors to provide information about "secure electronic voting" for Board-supervised elections.
Read More...
Action Alert: IPPS Letter Still Needs Action
June 28, 2010
We continue to make progress on securing signatures for the "Dear Colleague" letter being circulated by Reps. Joe Crowley (D-NY) and Pete Sessions (R-TX) urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to make changes to its proposed rule's flawed coding offset provision that could result in a $3.7 billion reduction to hospital payments in FY 2011. But we're not there yet!
Read More...
Fact Sheet: Hospitals Continue to Feel Lingering Effects of the Economic Recession
June 23, 2010
The U.S. economy is beginning to show signs of recovery, but the recession's
lingering impact continues to adversely affect hospitals and the patients they
serve.
Read More...
Press Release: Hospitals Continue to Feel Lingering Effects of the Economic Recession
Washington D.C. (June 23, 2010)
Although the U.S. economy is beginning to show signs of recovery, hospitals continue to be adversely impacted by the lingering effects of the economic recession, according to new data from the American Hospital Association
Read More...
Letter: AHA, Health Groups to HHS Re: Delay in Implementing Enforcement Provisions Related to DSH
June 21, 2010
Letter to HHS Sebelius from the AHA, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the Catholic Health Association (CHA), the Federation of American Hospitals (FAH), the National Association of Children's Hospitals (N.A.C.H.) and the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems (NAPH), requesting a delay in the implementation of the enforcement provisions related to the Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) program audit and reporting regulation issued in December 2008.
Read More...
Letter: Health Organizations to HELP Re: Nomination of Donald M. Berwick, M.D. as CMS Administrator
June 21, 2010
AHA, othr health organization's letter to HELP to express strong support of President Obama's nomination of Donald M. Berwick, M.D., M.P.P., as administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Read More...
Advocacy Update: This Week's Legislative To-Do List
June 21, 2010
We need to continue to press this week for an extension of temporary Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) relief to the states.
Read More...
Fact Sheet: The Economic Contribution of Hospitals
June 18, 2010
Every year, hospitals provide vital health care services like these to millions of people in thousands of communities. However, the importance of hospitals to their communities extends far beyond health care. Hospital care is the largest component of the health care sector, which itself is a growing segment of the U.S.
economy.
Read More...
June 18, 2010
AHA and other health organizations sent a letter to the Senate expressing concerns with the offse to finance short-term physician payment patch partially paid for by reductions in hospital payments by changing the so-called Medicare "72 Hour Rule"
Read More...
Letter: AHA to CMS Re: Proposed Rule for the Inpatient and LTACH PPS for FY 2010
June 18, 2010
AHA comment on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposed rule for the inpatient and LTACH prospective payment system for fiscal year 2011.
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: ONC Releases Final Rule on Certification Process for EHRs
June 18, 2010
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) today released its final rule establishing a temporary federal process to certify electronic health records (EHRs).
Read More...
Letter: AHA Comments to CMS Re: Supplemental Hospital IPPS Proposed Rule for Fiscal Year 2011
June 15, 2010
The American Hospital Association comments on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) supplemental hospital inpatient prospective payment system (PPS) proposed rule for fiscal year (FY) 2011.
Read More...
June 15, 2010
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently issued a Request for Information (RFI) on occupational exposure to infectious diseases in health care settings.
Read More...
Advocacy Update: Urge Action on Jobs Bill and Inpatient PPS
June 14, 2010
This looks like a busy week for grassroots action on Capitol Hill. The Senate is poised to vote on the latest jobs bill, H.R. 4213, which the House passed before the Memorial Day recess.
Read More...
Press Release: Institute Honors Benchmarking Survey Participants
Chicago (June 14, 2010)
The Institute for Diversity in Health Management (Institute) last week honored participants in its "State of Health Care Diversity and Disparities: A Benchmark Study of U.S. Hospitals" at its 2010 National Leadership and Educational Conference.
Read More...
Advocacy Update: Continue the Push on IPPS Letters
June 11, 2010
Please continue to urge your Member of Congress to support the "Dear Colleague" letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) being circulated by Reps.
Read More...
Letter: AHA Comments to CMS Re: Hospital IPPS Proposed Rule for Fiscal Year 2011
June 11, 2010
The American Hospital Association (AHA) appreciates the opportunity to comment on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) hospital inpatient prospective payment system (PPS) proposed rule for fiscal year (FY) 2011.
Read More...
Advocacy Update: Continue to Push To-Do List
June 09, 2010
Here's a brief update to Monday's Advocacy Update, which detailed our concerns with the latest "jobs" bill, H.R. 4213. The Senate appears unlikely this week to vote on H.R. 4213, which affords us additional time to push our advocacy message.
Read More...
Advocacy Update: As Congress Returns, a Legislative To-Do List
June 07, 2010
Congress returns today with several pressing items, most notably the "jobs" bill, H.R. 4213. Before leaving for the Memorial Day recess, the House passed a pared-down bill that would temporarily prevent the scheduled 21% Medicare physician payment cut and would extend unemployment benefits and certain tax provisions.
Read More...
Action Alert: Ask Your Member of Congress to Sign Letter Urging Changes to CMS' Proposed IPPS Rule
June 03, 2010
Reps. Joe Crowley (D-NY) and Pete Sessions (R-TX) are asking their House colleagues to sign the attached letter to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Acting Administrator Marilyn Tavenner urging the agency to make changes to its proposed inpatient prospective payment system (PPS) rule for fiscal year (FY) 2011, specifically the proposed coding offset.
Read More...
Letter: AHA to NAIC on Medical Loss Ratio
June 02, 2010
AHA comments to NAIC on the medical loss ratio (MLR) provision of Section 2718 of the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), as established by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
Read More...
Notice 2010-39: IRS Outlines Exempt Hospital Requirements
May 28, 2010
The IRS May 27, issued notice 2010-39, outlinging new requirements for tax-exempt hospitals under the Patient Protection and Affodable Care Act.
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: AHA's Model Comment Letter on CMS' Inpatient PPS FY 2011 Proposed Rule
May 27, 2010
Attached is a model comment letter that hospitals can use to help draft their own comments on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hospital inpatient prospective payment system (PPS) proposed rule for fiscal year (FY) 2011. The letter details the hospital fields concerns with CMS' proposed documentation and coding reduction, specifically with its methodology for determining the reduction.
Read More...
Letter: HALO Letter to Hill Opposing Changes to 72-hour Rule in 'Jobs' Bill
May 26, 2010
On behalf of the membership of the undersigned hospital organizations, we are writing to express our opposition to Section 525 of H.R. 4213, the "American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010." We ask that this provision be removed.
Read More...
Health Care Reform: Implementation Timeline
May 25, 2010
Implementation timeline and milestones for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act (HCERA), which made modifications to the PPACA.
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: AHA Unveils Health Reform Timeline
May 25, 2010
New member resource depicts key milestones
Read More...
May 24, 2010
AHA urges the Commission to amend its rules to permit amateur radio operators to participate in emergency preparedness and disaster readiness drills, even when they are employees of public safety agencies and other entities participating in the drills, such as hospitals, and regardless of whether the drills are "government-sponsored."
Read More...
May 24, 2010
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Friday issued a second
proposed rule affecting fiscal year (FY) 2011 inpatient and long-term care
hospital prospective payment system (PPS) payments.
Read More...
Letter: Coalition asks Congress to extend Medicare provisions
May 21, 2010
AHA and other health organizations request Congress' immediate action to address harmful Medicare policies that will go into effect on January 1, 2011 without legislative action in Congress.
Read More...
May 20, 2010
AHA strongly supports President Obama's nomination of Donald Berwick, M.D., as administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Read More...
May 20, 2010
AHA strongly supports President Obamas nomination of Donald Berwick, M.D., as administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Read More...
Action Alert: House to Vote on Latest Jobs Bill this Week
May 19, 2010
House leaders are expected tonight to introduce the latest version of the
jobs bill, the American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act (H.R.
4213), which includes several hospital-related provisions.
Read More...
May 18, 2010
AHA responds to HHS's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) request for information (RFI) related to new accounting of disclosures requirements.
Read More...
May 14, 2010
AHA comments on the medical loss ratio (MLR) provision of Section 2718 of the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), as established by the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
Read More...
Letter: Hospital Coalition's Support of the Enhanced FMAP Funding Extension
May 14, 2010
Hospital coalition letter to House and Senate leaders in support of the enhanced FMAP funding extension.
Read More...
May 11, 2010
On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The following week, the President signed into law H.R. 4872, the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, which made modifications to H.R. 3590. Both bills are referred to as the "PPACA."
Read More...
Letter: AHA Comments on Proposed Rule Guiding Health IT Certification Programs
May 10, 2010
Proposed Establishment of Certification Programs for Health Information
Technology: Proposed Rule (RIN 0991-AB59)
Read More...
Testimony: AHA Re: The Hospital Field's Support for Price Transparency in the Health Care Field
May 06, 2010
Steven J. Summer, president and chief executive officer of the Colorado Hospital Association (CHA). testifies on behalf of the AHA before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health,
about the hospital field's support for price transparency in the health care field.
Read More...
Advisory: Medicare Inpatient PPS: The Proposed Rule For Fiscal Year 2011
May 06, 2010
On April 19, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its hospital inpatient and long-term care hospital prospective payment system (PPS) proposed rule for federal fiscal year (FY) 2011.
Read More...
May 03, 2010
AHA, Organizations comment on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) proposed rule on the Medicare and Medicaid electronic health record (EHR) incentive programs.
Read More...
Letter: AHA Comments Re: Interim Final Rule Under the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici MHPAEA
April 28, 2010
AHA comments on the interim final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Employee Benefits Security Administration and Internal Revenue Service on the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA).
Read More...
Press Release: AHA Awards Four Hospital Volunteer Programs
Washington D.C. (April 26, 2010)
The American Hospital Association (AHA) honors four hospital volunteer programs with the Hospital Awards for Volunteer Excellence (HAVE).
Read More...
April 26, 2010
Policymakers and health care providers increasingly recognize health information technology (IT) as a tool for providing efficient, high-quality care.
Read More...
Advisory: A Message to AHA Members
April 26, 2010
AHA Media Advisory
Read More...
Press Release: James J. Mongan, M.D., to Receive AHA Distinguished Service Award
Washington D.C. (April 26, 2010)
The American Hospital Association (AHA) will present its highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, to James J. Mongan, M.D., former president and chief executive officer of Partners HealthCare in Boston.
Read More...
Press Release: John O'Brien to Receive AHA Board of Trustees Award
Washington D.C. (April 26, 2010)
The American Hospital Association (AHA) today awarded John O'Brien, president and chief executive officer of UMass Memorial Health Care, Inc. in Worcester, Mass. with its 2010 Board of Trustees Award.
Read More...
Press Release: Fred Hessler to Receive AHA Board of Trustees Award
Washington D.C. (April 26, 2010)
The American Hospital Association (AHA) today awarded Fred Hessler, managing director of Citigroup's New York health care group, with its 2010 Board of Trustees Award.
Read More...
Press Release: Christine Capito Burch to Receive AHA's Honorary Life Membership Award
Washington D.C. (April 26, 2010)
The American Hospital Association (AHA) will present its Honorary Life Membership Award to Christine Capito Burch, executive director of the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems (NAPH), for her contributions to hospitals and health care in America.
Read More...
Press Release: Jack Bovender to Receive AHA Award of Honor
Washington D.C. (April 26, 2010)
The American Hospital Association (AHA) will present its Award of Honor to Jack Bovender, retired chairman and CEO of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) based in Nashville, Tenn.
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: AHA Unveils Resource Center for Health Reform Implementation
April 23, 2010
On March 23, President Obama signed into law The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590). A companion bill, The Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 (H.R. 4872), was enacted into law shortly thereafter.
Read More...
Advisory: Interim Final Rule on Mental Health Parity
April 21, 2010
AHA Regulatory Advisory on Interim Final Rule on Mental Health Parity
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: CMS Releases FY 2011 Inpatient and Long-Term Care Proposed Rule
April 20, 2010
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) yesterday issued its hospital inpatient and long-term care prospective payment system (PPS) proposed rule for fiscal year (FY) 2011.
Read More...
Press Release: Statement on Nomination of Donald Berwick, M.D., as Administrator...
Washington D.C. (April 19, 2010)
The American Hospital Association applauds President Obama's choice of Donald Berwick, M.D., as administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Read More...
Advisory: Summary of 2010 Health Care Reform Legislation
April 19, 2010
On March 23, President Obama signed into law H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The following week, the president signed into law H.R. 4872, the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, which made modifications to H.R. 3590.
Read More...
Press Release: Statement on Medicare Proposed Inpatient Prospective Payment System Rule
Washington D.C. (April 19, 2010)
America's hospitals are deeply disappointed with today's proposal re: Medicare Proposed Inpatient Prospective Payment System Rule. Plain and simple: this policy will undermine hospitals' ability to care for patients and communities across the country.
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: Short-term 'Jobs' Bill Passed
April 16, 2010
The Senate and House voted last night to pass H.R. 4851, AHA-backed legislation that will ensure that physicians who practice in hospital-owned outpatient centers qualify for health information technology incentives under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and delay a 21% Medicare payment cut for physicians until May 31. President Obama then quickly signed the bill into law.
Read More...
Letter: AHA Comments Re: HHS' Proposed Establishment of Certification Programs for Health IT
April 09, 2010
AHA comments to David Blumenthal, M.D., MPP National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, HHS, on the proposed rule guiding establishment of certification programs for health information technology (IT) published on March 10 (Federal Register, Vol. 75, No. 46, p. 11327).
Read More...
Press Release: AHA Recognizes Grassroots Champions
Washington D.C. (April 07, 2010)
The American Hospital Association (AHA), in partnership with the state hospital associations, today awarded 52 individuals with the American Hospital Association Grassroots Champion Award.
Read More...
Advisory: Federal Funding for State Health Information Exchange Efforts
April 06, 2010
The federal government recently announced more than $500 million in funding to states for the development of state-wide health information exchanges (HIEs).
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: AHA Unveils Ads Thanking Members of Congress for Voting 'Yes' on Reform
April 05, 2010
The AHA today launched 30-second television ads in 16 congressional districts thanking members of Congress for voting in favor of health care reform.
Read More...
Advisory: Estimating the Impact of Reform on Your Hospital
March 26, 2010
Instructions for using our coverage and payment calculators
Read More...
Press Release: AHA's Federal Hospital Constituency Section Honors Two Leaders
Chicago (March 25, 2010)
The American Hospital Association's (AHA) Section for Federal Hospitals today presented two hospital leaders with awards recognizing their outstanding service in the health care field. These awards recognize federal health care executives who have distinguished themselves through singularly significant achievements that have contributed substantially to the mission of the federal health system.
Read More...
Press Release: Statement on President Obama Signing Health Reform Legislation
Washington D.C. (March 23, 2010)
America's hospitals have long been committed to ensuring health care coverage for all. While the path to universal coverage has been long, today we are closer than ever to reaching this important goal.
Read More...
Letter: UnitedHealthcare to AHA Re: Deployment of Reimbursement Reductions
March 23, 2010
United Health to AHA Re: Deployment of Reimbursement Reductions
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: Summary of Major Provisions in Final House Reform Package
March 22, 2010
Summary of Major Provisions in Final House Reform Package
Read More...
Press Release: AHA Statement on House Passage of Health Reform Bill
Washington D.C. (March 21, 2010)
For years, America's hospitals have worked hard to make coverage for all a reality. Today, a historic and long overdue step was taken toward achieving that worthy goal. This bill, which we support, will make a real difference in lives of millions of Americans.
Read More...
Press Release: America's Hospitals Call for Passage of Landmark Health Reform Bill
Washington D.C. (March 20, 2010)
The American Hospital Association (AHA) today called for passage of the historic health reform measure being considered this weekend in the U.S. House of Representatives. The AHA has long been committed to meaningful health care reform and, in a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), reaffirmed its support for moving health reform efforts forward.
Read More...
March 20, 2010
AHA to Speaker Pelosi Re: Support for Passage of Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: AHA Offers Support for Reform Package
March 20, 2010
The attached letter from AHA President and CEO Rich Umbdenstock today was sent to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) offering the association's support for the final health care reform package unveiled earlier this week.
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: Final Health Reform Package Released
March 18, 2010
Democratic House leaders today released legislative language for the "sidecar" bill that, together with the Senate's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590), comprises Congress' final health care reform package.
Read More...
March 15, 2010
AHA comment letter on Initial Set of Standards, Implementation Specifications, and Certification Criteria for Electronic Health Record Technology (Ref: Rin 0991-AB58)
Read More...
The Cost of Caring: Sources of Growth in Spending on Patient Care in Hospitals
March 11, 2010
Fact sheet
Read More...
Action Alert: Urge Your Legislators to Suport Crucial Changes in Final Reform Package
March 10, 2010
The President recently outlined his vision for reform, building upon the Senates Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590), and called on Congress to act quickly to pass a legislative package before its Easter recess.
Read More...
Advocacy Update: Congressional IT 'Dear Colleague' Letters Still Accepting Signatures
March 09, 2010
Members of Congress are urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to improve its final electronic health records "meaningful use" incentive rule.
Read More...
Letter: AHA to WellPoint, Inc. Re: Provider Consolidation Assertion
March 09, 2010
AHA letter to WellPoint Inc stating that WellPoint's assertion that provider consolidation is a key driver of increased health care premiums is at odds with the facts.
Read More...
Letter: AHA Comments to CMS Re: Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program
March 08, 2010
AHA comments on CMS' Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) titled "Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program,"
published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in the Federal Register on January 13, 2010 [CMS-0033-P].
Read More...
Letter: AHA, Others Urge Congress to Extend Tax-exempt Bond Provisions
March 08, 2010
AHA, others urge Congress to extend tax-exempt bond provisions.
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: AHA Submits Comments on CMS' Proposed Health IT Incentive Rule
March 08, 2010
The AHA today submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on its proposed rule on the Medicare and Medicaid electronic health records (EHR) incentive program. We strongly encourage all hospitals to submit comments to CMS by the March 15 deadline to reinforce the hospital field's concerns about these proposals.
Read More...
Press Release: AHA Seeks Modification from IRS on Community Benefit Reporting
Washington D.C. (March 05, 2010)
Today, the American Hospital Association (AHA) urged the Internal Revenue Service to improve the new hospital community benefit reporting form - Schedule H to Form 990 - to better reflect the benefits nonprofit hospitals provide to their communities.
Read More...
Letter: AHA Urges IRS to Modify the New Community Benefit Reporting Form, Schedule H
March 05, 2010
Today the AHA urged the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to improve the new hospital community benefit reporting form Schedule H to Form 990 to better reflect the benefits nonprofit hospitals provide to their communities.
Read More...
Action Alert: Ask Your Legislators to Sign Letters Urging Changes to CMS' HIT Regulation
March 03, 2010
Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) are asking their Senate colleagues to sign a letter to Acting Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Charlene Frizzera urging the agency to make changes to its proposed health information technology (HIT) rule.
Read More...
Letter: AHA Comments on CMS/AHRQ's Proposed Children's Healthcare Quality Measures
March 02, 2010
The AHA appreciates the opportunity to comment on the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (AHRQ) and the CMS' joint notice of the Initial Core Set of Children's Health Care Quality Measures.
Read More...
Action Alert: Urge your senators to support Baucus amendment to current 'jobs' bill
March 02, 2010
On March 1, 2010, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) offered a substitute amendment to the American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010 (H.R. 4213) - the Senate's latest "jobs" bill (there have been two previous jobs bills this year). It contains several provisions that are critical to hospitals and the patients and communities you serve.
Read More...
February 26, 2010
Attached is a model comment letter that hospitals can use to help draft their own comments on the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed rule on the Medicare and Medicaid electronic health records (EHR) incentive program. The model letter and attachments also can be found at http://www.aha.org/aha/issues/HIT/100226-hit-meaningful.html
Read More...
Fact Sheet: Getting More Reform from Health Reform - 5 Barriers...
February 24, 2010
Five Barriers to Clinical Integration in Hospitals (and what to do about them)
Read More...
Action Alert: Ask Your Representative to Sign Letter Urging Changes to CMS' HIT Regulation
February 24, 2010
Reps. Zack Space (D-OH), Michael Burgess (R-TX), Eliot Engel (D-NY), and Cliff Stearns (R-FL) are asking their House colleagues to sign the attached letter to Acting Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Charlene Frizzera urging the agency to make changes to its proposed definition of "meaningful use" of electronic health records (EHR) to help hospitals more realistically meet the agencys criteria and access much-needed health information technology (HIT) funding.
Read More...
Chart: Legal barriers to clinical integration and proposed solutions
February 24, 2010
Legal and regulatory barriers
Read More...
Letter: AHA Voices Support for the Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act (H.R. 4626)
February 23, 2010
AHA Voices Support for the Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act (H.R. 4626)
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: White House Releases Summary of Reform Proposal
February 22, 2010
President Obama today released a summary of his health care reform proposal, which the White House says will attempt to "bridge the gap between the House and Senate bills."
Read More...
Advisory: Final Rule Expands National Practitioner Data Bank Reporting Requirements
February 18, 2010
On January 28 the Health Resources and Services Administration published a final rule expanding who must report information to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB). The rule does not change the reporting requirements for hospitals. However, it requires additional entities, such as private accrediting and peer review organizations, to report adverse actions to the data bank.
Read More...
TrendWatch: Clinical Integration - The Key to Real Reform (February 2010)
February 17, 2010
This TrendWatch explains what clinical integration is and examines its importance to reforming our delivery system.
Read More...
Amicus Brief: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research et al., v. U.S.
February 16, 2010
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research et al., v. United States: Petition for Certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court (No. 09-837) [Re: Student Exemption from FICA tax] February 16, 2010
Read More...
Action Alert: Urge Your Senators to Include Hospital Provisions in Jobs Bill
February 12, 2010
Yesterday, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-IA) released an outline of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act -- the Senate's "jobs" bill.
Read More...
Press Release: Mitchell Promoted to AHA's Senior Vice President for Communications
Washington D.C. (February 09, 2010)
The American Hospital Association (AHA) today named Alicia Mitchell senior vice president for communications for the national association representing America's hospitals.
Read More...
Press Release: Allen Named AHA's Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
Washington D.C. (February 09, 2010)
The American Hospital Association (AHA) today announced that Lisa Allen will become a senior vice president overseeing human resources for the association.
Read More...
Letter to the Editor of the Wall Street Journal: Response to "A Wasted Opportunity"
February 09, 2010
A letter to the editor of the Wall Street Journal: This weekend's profile of WellPoint CEO Angela Braly, "A Wasted Opportunity" (Rago, 2/7), does disservice to the women and men who work in America's hospitals as well as the communities they serve.
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: FDA Grants Hospitals 18 Months to Replace Steris System 1 Processor
February 02, 2010
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced that it will extend to 18 months from now the time by which hospitals and other health care facilities using the Steris System 1 (SS1) processor to sterilize endoscopes, bronchoscopes and other medical devices should transition to legally marketed alternative systems.
Read More...
Press Release: Scott M. Street Receives AHA's Shirley Ann Munroe Leadership Award
Washington D.C. (February 01, 2010)
Scott M. Street, president and CEO of Duncan Regional Hospital in Duncan, Okla. is the 2009 winner of the American Hospital Association's (AHA) Shirley Ann Munroe Leadership Award.
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: President Releases FY 2011 Budget Proposal
February 01, 2010
President Obama today unveiled a $3.8 trillion fiscal year (FY) 2011 federal budget proposal that includes a "placeholder" for health care reform instead of specific proposals.
Read More...
Advisory: Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program Proposed Rule
January 29, 2010
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Jan. 13 published a proposed definition of "meaningful use" of electronic health records (EHRs). This rule would be used to determine which hospitals are eligible for health information technology (HIT) incentive payments under Medicare and Medicaid.
Read More...
HIT Incentive Payment Program: Definition of 'Meaningful Use'
January 27, 2010
On December 30, 2009, in accordance with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule on Medicare and Medicaid payment incentives for "meaningful users" of electronic health records (EHRs). The rule, which
describes how hospitals and physicians can qualify for payments starting in fiscal year (FY) 2011, sets rigid standards and unrealistic time frames for EHR adoption. The AHA believes that the eligibility requirements for hospitals and physicians to receive incentive payments are too restrictive.
Read More...
HIT Incentive Payments: Definition of a Hospital
January 27, 2010
The payment incentives in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) are available to each hospital that is a meaningful user of a certified electronic health record (EHR); ARRA defines a hospital as a Medicare subsection (d) hospital, which is a general, acute care, short-term hospital.
Read More...
HIT Incentive Payments: Definition of a Hospital-Based Physician
January 27, 2010
Under the health information technology (HIT) provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), physicians and other professionals who are meaningful users of certified electronic health records (EHRs) are eligible to receive incentive payments under Medicare Part B.
Read More...
Advisory: 2010 Census: Procedures for Interviewing Patients Who Live in Health Care Facilities
January 25, 2010
The U.S. Census Bureau is required to count the nation's population every 10 years. In February, Census Bureau workers will contact health care facilities to ensure that some people living in certain hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and inpatient hospice facilities are accounted for appropriately in the 2010 census.
Read More...
Press Release: James Prister to Chair AHA's Section for Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation
Washington D.C. (January 21, 2010)
James Prister, President and CEO of RML Specialty Hospital in Hinsdale, Ill., is the 2010 chair of the American Hospital Association's (AHA) Section for Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation.
Read More...
Press Release: Nancy Crawford to Lead AHA's Section for Maternal and Child Health
Washington D.C. (January 20, 2010)
Nancy Crawford, senior vice president of Medical Staff Services for Woman's Hospital, in Baton Rouge, La., is the 2010 chair of the American Hospital Association's (AHA) Section for Maternal and Child Health.
Read More...
January 20, 2010
AHA, Health Organizations Ask Congressional Leaders to Act Now to Extend FMAP Relief to the States
Read More...
January 19, 2010
Congressional leaders and their staffs are hard at work reconciling the differences between the House and Senate's health care reform bills. And pressure is mounting to complete a final bill before the President's State of the Union address, likely in early February.
Read More...
Action Alert: National Call-In Day on Reform Tomorrow
January 19, 2010
Congressional leaders and their staffs are hard at work reconciling the differences between the House and Senate's health care reform bills. And pressure is mounting to complete a final bill before the President's State of the Union address, likely in early February.
Read More...
Action Alert: AHA Announces National Call-In Day on Reform
January 15, 2010
Congressional leaders and their staffs are hard at work reconciling the differences between the House and Senate's health care reform bills. And pressure is mounting to complete a final bill before the President's State of the Union address, likely in early February. We need your help to ensure that the final bill addresses the hospital field's concerns in a way that helps you continue to care for patients and serve your community. On Wednesday, January 20, the AHA will sponsor a "Hospital National Call-in Day for Health Reform." On that day, we encourage you to call 1-866-887-CARE (2273) to be connected to your legislators' offices to share your concerns on the pending health care reform legislation and ask them to urge their party's leaders to improve the final bill.
Read More...
Press Release: New Most Wired Survey Tied to Meaningful Use Definition
Chicago (January 15, 2010)
The 2010 Most Wired Survey, redesigned to produce better data, is available online today. The survey measures information technology adoption, implementation and use, and includes new and revised questions based on the meaningful use definition recommended by HIT Policy Committee.
Read More...
Chicago (January 14, 2010)
In honor of its broad-based efforts to improve the lives of the most vulnerable members of its community, Heartland Health in St. Joseph, Mo., is the recipient of the prestigious 2009 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service.
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: A Special Message from Rich Umbdenstock Regarding the Haitian Earthquake
January 14, 2010
We have all watched with great sorrow the devastation wrought by the January 12 earthquake in Haiti. Many of you have contacted the AHA to ask how you can help. Instead of launching a separate relief effort, I would like to encourage hospitals to consider donating via the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) or another well-established, private-sector relief organization.
Read More...
Letter: To Speaker Pelosi Re: Medicare and Medicaid DSH Cuts in the Health Reform Package
January 14, 2010
Letter from Reps. Silvestre Reyes, John Lewis and Jan Schakowsky regarding the Medicare and Medicaid DSH cuts in the health reform package
Read More...
Press Release: Todd Krass to Lead AHA's Section for Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Services
Washington D.C. (January 13, 2010)
Todd Krass, CEO of Research Belton Hospital in Belton, Mo., is the 2010 chair of the American Hospital Association's (AHA) Section for Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Services, a constituency section representing 1,300 behavioral health providers across the country that provides guidance in AHA's policy development and governance.
Read More...
Letter: AHA, Others to Congress Re: Oppostion to the Independent Payment Advisory Board for Medicare
January 12, 2010
Letter from AHA, other concerned organizations to Congress expressing strong opposition to the Independent Payment Advisory Board for the Medicare program called for in the Senate Health Reform bill
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: AHA Side-by-Side Comparison of Health Reform Bills
January 12, 2010
AHA Special Bulletin: AHA Side-by-Side Comparison of Health Reform Bills
Read More...
January 08, 2010
The Senate on December 24 passed its health care reform bill, the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" (H.R. 3590), joining the House, which cleared its reform bill, the "Affordable Health Care for America Act of 2009" (H.R. 3962), in November. The two chambers must now reconcile their bills before voting on final passage. Although conferees have not been officially named, congressional leaders are ironing out the bills' differences.
Read More...
Press Release: Robin Lake to Chair Association's Small or Rural Hospitals Governing Council
Washington D.C. (January 08, 2010)
Robin Lake, president and CEO of North Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Harrison, Ark., will lead the American Hospital Association's (AHA) Section for Small or Rural Hospitals in 2010.
Read More...
Letter: AHA to House and Senate Health Care Reform Legislation Conferees
January 07, 2010
AHA to House and Senate Health Care Reform Legislation Conferees
Read More...
Press Release: Jim Skogsbergh to Lead AHA's Section for Health Care Systems
Washington D.C. (January 07, 2010)
Jim Skogsbergh, president and chief executive officer of Advocate Health Care in Oak Brook, Ill., is the 2010 chair of the AHA's Section for Health Care Systems.
Read More...
Press Release: Stephen Smart to Chair AHA's Committee on Governance
Washington D.C. (January 06, 2010)
The American Hospital Association (AHA) today announced that Stephen Smart, DDS will be chair and Penny Brooke, will be chair-elect for the AHA's 2010 Committee on Governance (COG).
Read More...
Letter: Letter from senators to DOJ and FTC encourage health care collaboration
January 04, 2010
Letter from nine senators to DOJ and FTC acknowledge and encourage renewed efforts by those agencies to develop and issue comprehensive guidance to physicians, hospitals and others seeking to pursue collaborative care models and cooperative arrangements to promote high quality, patient-centered care.
Read More...
AHA files Amicus Brief in the U.S. Supreme Court FCA Case
January 04, 2010
AHA filed an Amicus Brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to review a False Claims Act decision that it said "will only encourage the filing of dubious Qui Tam suits based on publicly disclosed allegations of fraud or on mere hunch and speculation."
Read More...
Letter: Senators urge GAO to review legal barriers to collaboration
January 04, 2010
Ten Senators request that GAO undertake a review of laws and regulations related to relationships between health care providers and other entities involved in the financing and delivery of health care.
Read More...
Washington D.C. (December 31, 2009)
America's hospitals have serious concerns that the new health information technology rules severely limit hospitals' ability to access federal financing for health information technology that is used to improve patient care. Moving toward broader adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) is an important goal and helping hospitals, doctors, nurses and other caregivers is essential in getting us there.
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: CMS Releases Proposed Definition of 'Meaningful Use' of HIT
December 31, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) yesterday published a proposed definition of "meaningful use" of electronic health records (EHRs). At the same time, the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology issued an interim final rule that sets standards, specifications and certification criteria for EHR technology.
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: 'Meaningful Use' of EHRs and Certification
December 30, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today released a proposed regulation that defines "meaningful use" of electronic health records (EHRs), and the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology issued an interim final rule that sets initial standards, specifications and certification criteria for EHR technology.
Read More...
Letter: AHA Comments on CMS' Changes to the Hospital Outpatient and CY 2010 Payment Rates
December 28, 2009
AHA comments on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hospital outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) final rule for calendar year 2010.
Read More...
Press Release: Julie Quirin to Chair Association's Metropolitan Hospitals Governing Council
Washington D.C. (December 21, 2009)
Julie Quirin, CEO of Saint Luke's Hospital in Kansas City will lead the American Hospital Association's (AHA) Section for Metropolitan Hospitals as chair of its 24-member governing council for 2010. The Section is a forum for suburban and urban hospitals to discuss common interests and concerns and to participate in the AHA policy process.
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: Reid Unveils Revised Senate Health Reform Bill
December 20, 2009
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) yesterday filed his managers amendment revising major portions of the Senates health care reform bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590). With the revisions, the bill is estimated to cost $871 billion and would extend coverage to 31 million people by 2019, leaving 23 million without coverage.
Read More...
Letter: AHA to Sen. Reid Re: Support for Passage of H.R. 3590
December 20, 2009
AHA letter to Senator Harry Reid expressing support for passage of H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: AHA weighs in on Senate Health Reform Bill
December 20, 2009
AHA President and CEO Rich Umbdenstock sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) regarding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590), the Senates health reform bill.
Read More...
Press Release: AHA Elects New Trustee to the Board
Washington D.C. (December 16, 2009)
The American Hospital Association (AHA) has elected Raymond W. Montgomery II, FACHE, President and CEO of White County Medical Center in Searcy, Ark. to its Board of Trustees for a term beginning January 1, 2010.
Read More...
Letter: AHA Comments Re: End-Stage Renal Disease Prospective Payment System; Proposed Rule
December 16, 2009
AHA comments on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) end-stage renal disease (ESRD) prospective payment system (PPS) proposed rule.
Read More...
Letter: AHA, Hospital Associations Re: Health Information Technology Incentives
December 11, 2009
Health associations comment on two aspects of the health information technology (HIT) provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
Read More...
Advocacy Alert: December 10, 2009
December 10, 2009
Action Alert for December 10, 2009
Read More...
Press Release: New MedPAC Data Underscore Hospital Concerns with the Medicare Buy-in Proposal
Washington D.C. (December 10, 2009)
New data released at todays Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) meeting show that Medicare payments for hospital services fall woefully short of covering costs, further fueling concerns about adding more patients to Medicare through a buy-in under reform, the American Hospital Association (AHA) said.
Read More...
December 10, 2009
Letter from Department of Justice to Senator Leahy regarding clinical integration programs.
Read More...
Letter: AHA, Health Organizations Express Support for the 340B Provisions in the Senate Bill
December 08, 2009
Letter from AHA, SNHPA, NAPH, NACHRI and NRHA to Reid, Harkin and Durbin expressing support for the 340B provisions in the Senate bill.
Read More...
December 08, 2009
AHA comments on CMS' proposed policy and technical changes to the Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug benefit programs.
Read More...
December 08, 2009
As the Senate debates health reform, we have issued Advocacy Alerts urging opposition to attempts to expand the authority of an Independent Medicare Advisory Board to impose additional hospital payment cuts (Dec. 3), and on our three overriding concerns with the Senate bill (Nov. 23): its coverage numbers, readmissions policy, and public option.
Read More...
Letter: Health Groups Comment on HIT Provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
December 04, 2009
Health Groups comment on two aspect of the health information technology provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Read More...
Action Alert: Voting on Amendments to Senate Reform Bill Begins
December 03, 2009
The Senate today began voting on amendments to its health reform bill, the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" (H.R. 3590).
Read More...
November 24, 2009
On November 18, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) unveiled the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009 (H.R. 3590), the merged product of the health reform bills from the Senate Finance and HELP committees. This advisory provides a detailed summary of key proposals affecting hospitals.
Read More...
Advocacy Alert: November 23, 2009
November 23, 2009
Action Alert for November 23, 2009
Read More...
AHA Special Bulletin: Reid Releases Merged Senate Health Reform Bill
November 19, 2009
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) last night unveiled the "Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act" (H.R. 3590).
Read More...
November 18, 2009
Letter from Federal Trade Commission to Senator Kohl regarding clinical integration programs
Read More...
Advisory: Summary of House Health Care Reform Bill: Affordable Health Care For America Act Of 2009
November 16, 2009
On Saturday, November 7, the House passed by a vote of 220 to 215 the Affordable Health Care for America Act of 2009 (H.R. 3962). The bill, which reflects the outcome of the mark-up of three committees with jurisdiction over health care reform as well as negotiations conducted by the House leadership, is estimated by the Congressional Budget Office to expand coverage to 36 million people (96 percent of all those legally residing in the U.S. or 94 percent of all those residing in the country) and cost $1.052 trillion over the 10-year period (fiscal years 2010-2019).
Read More...
Advisory: Medicare Outpatient PPS and ASC Final Rule for CY 2010
November 13, 2009
On October 30, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) and ambulatory surgical center (ASC) final rule for calendar year (CY) 2010.
Read More...
Advisory: HIPAA Enforcement Updated Under HITECH: The Interim Final Rule
November 10, 2009
The HHS recently released an interim final rule updating the enforcement rule for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). These updates were necessitated by the passage of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH).
Read More...
TrendWatch: Geographic Variation in Health Care Spending: A Closer Look
November 10, 2009
Researchers have long documented variation in health care spending. Variation occurs across geographic regions and among providers within a geographic area.
Read More...
Press Release: AHA Statement on House Passage of Health Reform Bill
Washington D.C. (November 08, 2009)
Last night, the House took an historic step in making health reform a reality. While the House bill makes important progress in expanding coverage, an important goal for hospitals, there are areas for improvement.
Read More...
Advisory: Medicare End-Stage Renal Disease PPS: The Proposed Rule
November 03, 2009
On September 14, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) prospective payment system (PPS) proposed rule
Read More...
Letter: Senate Judiciary Committee to DOJ and Federal Trade Commission Re: Clinical Integration
November 03, 2009
Leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee urged the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission to "work with the hospital and provider communities to develop clear and user-friendly guidance for hospitals, physicians and other health care providers seeking to explore clinical integration.
Read More...