News

Commenting today on proposed policy changes for Medicare Advantage plan years 2020 and 2021, AHA expressed strong support for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ flexible approach to expanding MA telehealth benefits, as authorized by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018.

AHA today urged the departments of Health and Human Services and Treasury to revise their updated guidance governing waivers under Section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act to ensure that patients are protected from inadequate or unaffordable coverage.

The AHA today voiced support for a proposed rule that would allow employers to use health reimbursement arrangements to pay a portion of the premiums for individual market coverage for employees and their allowable dependents if the coverage complies with all individual market rules.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will host a Jan. 22 call for clinical diagnostic laboratories, including hospital outreach laboratories, on collecting and reporting data for the Clinical Diagnostic Test Payment System.

The AHA's Hospitals Against Violence initiative, the Department of Health and Human Services’ National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center, and HEAL Trafficking Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. ET will host a webinar offering resources for health care professionals to combat human trafficking.

The AHA today released a new educational resource to help hospital and health system leaders with their efforts to reduce health disparities in their communities.

As this year winds down, on behalf of the entire AHA Board of Trustees and our staff team, I want to thank you for all you do. I also want to express our appreciation for turning to us as your trusted partner as you focus on serving your patients and communities.

The AHA, Federation of American Hospitals, and Association of American Medical Colleges today urged the U.S. Supreme Court to affirm a D.C. Circuit Court decision that the Department of Health and Human Services violated the Medicare Act when it changed Medicare’s reimbursement adjustment formula for disproportionate share hospitals without providing notice and opportunity to comment.

The House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs yesterday held a joint hearing on progress to implement the VA MISSION Act of 2018, AHA-supported legislation that will consolidate the Department of Veterans Affairs' community care programs into a single permanent program.

A recent Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General audit report on 2013 inpatient rehabilitation facility stays “is a prime example” of the AHA’s ongoing concerns with OIG audit reports targeting potential Medicare overpayments to hospitals.