News

The national election eight days from today will affect many aspects of our society. And once again, health care is front and center. Those elected will face a full plate of new and ongoing health care issues, including providing additional financial support for struggling hospitals and health systems during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The AHA's Association for Health Care Resource & Materials Management (AHRMM) has elected Jimmy Chung, M.D., associate vice president, perioperative portfolio at Providence St. Joseph Health, as chair-elect of its 2021 board.

The Food and Drug Administration approved Veklury (remdesivir) to treat COVID-19 patients age 12 and older who are hospitalized and weigh at least 40 kilograms (about 88 pounds).

To continue amplifying the important message of protecting against both the flu and COVID-19, AHA’s United Against the Flu campaign released new resources, including new sample social media messages, graphics and videos that hospitals and health systems can use to reiterate the importance of getting a flu shot.

A COVID-19 vaccine is likely coming soon. Whether it’s next month, at the end of the year or in early 2021, many scientific experts believe we will have one or more safe and effective vaccines to combat the deadly virus.

Michael Suk, M.D., chief physician officer for Geisinger System Services, and Brooke Buckley, M.D., chief medical officer at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital, share how clinician and hospital leaders can work together to advance health care value and affordability.

Efforts by Spectrum Health, in Grand Rapids, Mich., to address health disparities in the African American and Latinx communities are yielding strong results.

AHA’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity talks with Deepa Sheth, M.D., oncologist and assistant professor of radiology at University of Chicago Medicine, about the health system’s innovative strategy to increase breast cancer screening to reduce disparities, supported by a grant from IFDHE and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a FAQ on the Community Health Access and Rural Transformation Model.

Three leadership capabilities consistently rise to the top when Andy Shin, chief operating officer for the AHA’s Center for Health Innovation, interviews hospital and health system leaders navigating the pandemic.

U.S. counties with more racial and ethnic minority residents, people living in crowded housing and other social vulnerabilities were more likely to become COVID-19 hotspots in June and July, according to a study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

State-licensed pharmacists and state-authorized pharmacy interns under their supervision may administer COVID-19 vaccines and tests authorized or licensed by the Food and Drug Administration, subject to certain requirements, the Department of Health and Human Services said in guidance.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated how it defines “close contact” exposure to an individual infected with the COVID-19 virus to someone within 6 feet of the infected individual for 15 minutes or more cumulatively over a 24-hour period, rather than exposure within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes.

Moderna Inc., announced the completion of enrollment for its COVID-19 vaccine phase 3 trial.

Jim Skogsbergh, president and CEO of Advocate Aurora Health, joined AHA Board Chair Melinda Estes, M.D., today to discuss COVID-19’s impact on health trends and key strategies for reimagining and innovating care during and beyond the pandemic.

Leadership in

As strongly urged by the AHA, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced it will delay the Jan. 1 start date for its new radiation oncology alternative payment model.

The National Security Agency released an advisory detailing 25 common vulnerabilities that Chinese state-sponsored cyber actors are actively exploiting to access computer networks for sensitive intellectual property and other information, and encouraged stakeholders to take appropriate action to protect their networks.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approved a five-year Medicaid waiver for Nebraska that allows newly covered adults who are not medically frail or pregnant to access additional benefits if they participate in certain wellness, work, volunteer or training activities.

National Health Care Facilities and Engineering Week 2020, Oct. 25-31, will spotlight the heroes who keep the health care physical environment running safely and smoothly during the pandemic and beyond.