News

The Department of Justice withdrew three policy statements on health care antitrust enforcement, saying they are “overly permissive on certain subjects, such as information sharing,” and that “a case-by-case enforcement approach” would allow it to better evaluate health care mergers and competition.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services this week released updated fact sheets for hospitals and other types of Medicare and Medicaid providers on the status of COVID-19 blanket waivers and flexibilities and whether they will end or continue after the COVID-19 public health emergency. 

Cyberattacks are increasing globally and in the U.S., with health care organizations, especially hospitals and health systems, being prime targets.

New on-demand resources from the AHA’s Living Learning Network include a story on the healing power of music from AdventHealth System, and a podcast with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine on improving older adult care in the geriatric emergency department.

The U.S. health care system spent $60 billion conducting nine common administrative transactions in 2022, about $18 billion more than the previous year due to higher staffing costs and health care use.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will accept comments through March 3 on its advance notice of proposed changes to Medicare Advantage plan capitation rates and Part C and Part D payment policies for calendar year 2024.

Health care providers who received Provider Relief Fund and/or American Rescue Plan Rural payments exceeding $10,000 total between July 1 and Dec. 31, 2021, must report to the Health Resources and Services Administration by this March 31 on how they used those funds or face enforcement actions.

On Feb. 16 from noon to 3 p.m. ET, the Federal Trade Commission will host a virtual public forum on its recent proposal to ban as an unfair method of competition contractual terms that prohibit workers from pursuing certain employment after their contract with an employer ends.

AHA today released its advocacy agenda for the coming year, which details the association’s key priorities for Congress, the Administration, regulatory agencies and courts to help hospitals and health systems.

Bolivar (Tenn.) General Hospital and its CEO, Ruby Kirby, will receive the

AHA’s American Organization for Nursing Leadership affiliate yesterday released the second section in a three-part compendium that focuses on best practices to manage nursing workforce complexities.

The House last night voted 220-210 to pass legislation (H.R.382) that would immediately terminate the COVID-19 public health emergency, and 227-203 to pass legislation (H.R.497) that would eliminate the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers at facilities that participate in Medicare or Medicaid.

Following the recent district court decision to remand to the Department of Health and Human Services the question of how to repay 340B hospitals for funds unlawfully withheld for five years, AHA today asked to meet with the responsible HHS team to discuss its forthcoming remedial proposal.  

A new special issue of Health Services Research highlights cutting-edge research from experts in age-friendly care.

Commenting on a proposed rule to improve the exchange of patient records used in the treatment of substance use disorder, AHA said it supports the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s proposal to align definitions and require only a single patient consent in perpetuity for appropriate use and disclosure.

About 100 organizations, including the AHA, urged the Federal Trade Commission to extend by 60 days the comment period for a proposed rule that would ban as an unfair method of competition contractual terms that prohibit workers from pursuing certain employment after their contract with an employer ends.

CMS finalized technical details regarding the Medicare Advantage Risk Adjustment Data Validation program, which the agency uses to recover improper risk adjustment payments from MA plans when the medical diagnoses submitted for payment are not supported in the beneficiary’s medical record.

As the Congressional Telehealth Caucus considers updates to legislation that would permanently remove all geographic restrictions on Medicare telehealth services and expand originating sites, AHA encouraged House and Senate caucus leaders to consider adding provisions that have expanded access to care during the COVID-19 public health emergency. 

The Biden Administration plans to end on May 11 the COVID-19 national and public health emergencies declared in 2020, according to a policy statement released by the Office of Management and Budget opposing House resolutions that would end the emergencies immediately if passed.

CMS released additional guidance on changes to the Medicaid continuous enrollment requirement under recently enacted legislation funding the federal government through fiscal year 2023.