AHA, AAMC and CHA request extension for community health needs assessments

The AHA, Association of American Medical Colleges and Catholic Health Association of the United States today requested the Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service extend the deadlines for tax-exempt hospitals and health systems to prepare community health needs assessments that occur during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The COVID-19 pandemic “is limiting the ability of hospitals to seek input from their communities, requiring the full attention of public health authorities and personnel, and affecting the priorities and attention of hospital boards,” the groups wrote.

They called on the IRS to “immediately announce an extension for any CHNA required to be conducted after April 1, 2020 until April 1, 2021 or a date that is six months after the expiration of the public health emergency declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services,” whichever is longer.