Special Bulletin
The American Hospital Association (AHA) sends members Special Bulletins on the latest health care news, legislation, and advocacy opportunities for hospitals and health systems.
At A Glance
Health plans often inappropriately delay or decline coverage for medically necessary care. This can undermine the quality of care that is provided, strain the provider/patient relationship, result in bad debt for providers and unexpected bills for patients, and increase the burden on…
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to place unprecedented demands on America’s health care system. The recent sharp increase in the number of patients needing acute hospital care means that some hospitals could face more significant shortages of staff and medical supplies such as personal protective…
A federal appeals court today ruled against AHA’s legal challenge to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) final rule mandating that hospitals disclose their privately negotiated charges with commercial health insurers. The rule goes into effect Jan. 1, 2021.
The Senate passed by voice vote the Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act (H.R. 1418/S. 350), AHA-supported legislation that repeals the McCarran-Ferguson antitrust exemption available to commercial health insurers for anticompetitive conduct.
The House and Senate last night approved the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. The legislation includes roughly $900 billion in COVID-19 relief, including a number of provisions beneficial to hospitals and health systems, and $1.4 trillion in spending that will fund the federal government…
The AHA today released a public service announcement thanking the many health care professionals working in America’s hospitals and health systems for their dedication to and compassion in caring for communities throughout a relentless 2020. You can adapt this PSA with your organization’s logo.
At a Glance
House and Senate leaders late yesterday announced an agreement on a roughly $900 billion COVID-19 relief package that includes a number of provisions beneficial to hospitals and health systems. They also agreed on a roughly $1.4 trillion spending package that would fund the federal…
The AHA today filed a motion asking the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to stay the price transparency rule until the new administration has the opportunity to review and revise it and because implementing it would divert essential personnel from caring for a huge influx of…
Details on dosing, storage and preparation of Moderna’s mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced that it is extending the quarter 3 (Q3) 2020 data submission deadlines for several of its quality reporting and value programs for hospitals, post-acute care and other providers. CMS indicates the extension is intended “to help…