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.

The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) today notified stakeholders that it is postponing the official effective dates of several new and revised standards pertaining to pharmaceutical handling until further notice while it reviews appeals to the standards.
House Democratic leaders today released the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, a bill that would make a series of changes to the Medicare program in an effort to lower the price of prescription drugs. If enacted, the bill would allow the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate directly…
A federal judge today ruled in favor of the AHA and hospital organizations saying that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services exceeded its statutory authority when it reduced payments for hospital outpatient services provided in off-campus provider-based departments grandfathered under…
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Aug. 12 published a final rule that could limit legal immigrants’ future immigration status, such as ability to obtain a green card or become a citizen, based on their receipt of public benefits.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Aug. 2 issued its hospital inpatient prospective payment system (PPS) and long-term care hospital PPS final rule for fiscal year (FY) 2020.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued the inpatient/long-term care hospital (LTCH) prospective payment system (PPS) final rule for fiscal year (FY) 2020. The inpatient PPS rule provisions are discussed in a separate Special Bulletin.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) July 31 issued a final rule for the inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) prospective payment system (PPS) for fiscal year (FY) 2020. AHA Take:
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services July 30 issued the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system final rule for fiscal year 2020.