News

The lower court incorrectly dismissed as premature their lawsuit to prevent a nearly 30% Medicare payment reduction for many hospitals in the 340B Drug Pricing Program, AHA and other hospital groups told a federal appeals court in a brief filed yesterday.

AHA today applauded the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology for pursuing a voluntary “network of networks” approach to the draft framework for trusted health information exchange that builds on existing efforts.

According to early estimates released yesterday, this season’s flu vaccine has been 36% effective overall at reducing the risk of having to go to the doctor.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration yesterday issued guidance for health care and addiction professionals using methadone, naltrexone or buprenorphine to treat patients with opioid use disorder.

Every day, Olympic-sized talent, dedication and drive are on display at hospitals and health systems across America.

Broward Health hospitals received 17 patients from a mass shooting yesterday at a high school in Parkland, FL, including two who have died and five who are in life-threatening condition.

The House Energy & Commerce Committee yesterday approved the Good Samaritan Health Professional Act (H.R. 1876), AHA-supported legislation that would extend liability standards under the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 to licensed health professionals who volunteer in another state during a disaster.

The AHA and three member hospitals today urged the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to require the Health and Human Services Secretary to clear the Medicare appeals backlog at the administrative law judge level within five years.

Health insurers use the annual list to identify providers meeting ECP requirements for Qualified Health Plans participating in health insurance exchanges.

National health expenditures are projected to grow an average 5.5% annually during 2017-2026, outpacing average projected growth in gross domestic product by 1 percentage point, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Office of the Actuary reported yesterday.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services this week held a Medicare Learning Network call on its new settlement option for health care providers with a low volume of appeals pending at the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals and Medicare Appeals Council.

Reps. Randy Hultgren (R-IL) and C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) yesterday introduced legislation that would restore tax exemption for advance refunding bonds.

In a letter submitted to the committee, AHA Executive Vice President Tom Nickels said that one has to look no further than recent announced partnerships on employee health care and physician acquisition.

The House Ways and Means Committee today held a hearing on the Department of Health and Human Services’ fiscal year 2019 budget request, at which HHS Secretary Alex Azar testified.

AHA will host a free webinar on successful hospital practices for promoting healthy behaviors.

The Institute for Diversity and Health Equity today released its February newsletter highlighting new resources and upcoming events and education opportunities related to diversity, health equity and inclusion.

The AHA yesterday recommended that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services provide a complete package of information on its new Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced Model by March 1.

The AHA is accepting nominations through March 16 for outstanding clinicians to serve on five at-large seats on its Committee on Clinical Leadership.

The prize honors health care organizations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to community service.

The budget request, which is not binding, proposes hundreds of billions of dollars in reductions to Medicare and Medicaid over 10 years.