News

COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 45 states and not changing in five states, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Aug. 8. Wastewater levels for COVID-19 have been classified as moderate nationwide, with the highest detected in the Western U.S. 

The Food and Drug Administration Aug. 8 announced an end to the national shortage of sodium chloride 0.9% IV solutions products.

The AHA Aug. 11 urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to prioritize payments to hospitals from the Rural Health Transformation Program.

Federal data shows that health care workers are five times more likely to experience workplace violence than other workers.

The AHA and Federation of American Hospitals Aug. 8 filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in support of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s lawsuit against the Federal Trade Commission, explaining that changes made by the FTC to premerger notification rules under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act are “unnecessary and unlawful.”

The National Institutes of Health Aug. 5 issued guidance to researchers on the use of artificial intelligence for the research application process.

The U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury announced Aug. 7 that they are reconsidering the definition of short-term, limited-duration insurance through a formal rulemaking process.

The AHA, joined by several other national groups representing 340B hospitals, Aug. 8 urged the Health Resources and Services Administration to extend the timeline for stakeholder comments, agency consideration and manufacturer rebate plan submissions for its 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Human Services adopted Aug. 4 the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendations for respiratory syncytial virus and seasonal influenza vaccinations ahead of the 2025-2026 respiratory infection season.

President Trump Aug. 7 issued an executive order, “Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking,” requiring government agencies to review new and discretionary grants to ensure grant funding advances the administration’s policy priorities.

Hospitals and health systems across the country vary in size, as well as the types of services and specialties they offer. They also offer many different programs to meet the unique needs of the communities they serve.

The AHA has elected nine new members to its Board of Trustees for three-year terms beginning Jan. 1.

The AHA Aug. 7 launched a new webpage, Reducing Disparities in Health Outcomes, featuring new and familiar resources for members and their communities.

The AHA Aug. 7 filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court in defense of states’ affidavit of merit requirements in federal court, which require plaintiffs to file a report from a health care provider affirming that a medical malpractice claim has merit before the case can proceed.

The Food and Drug Administration Aug. 7 announced a new program to help improve the domestic pharmaceutical supply chain by increasing regulatory predictability and facilitating the construction of drug manufacturing facilities in the U.S.

The Department of Health and Human Services Aug. 7 announced it will no longer fund mRNA vaccine development under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.

A new analysis published Aug. 6 by the Peterson Center on Healthcare and KFF found that Health Insurance Marketplace insurers will propose a median premium increase of 18% for 2026.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Aug. 5 announced a new campaign educating youth ages 12-17 on substance use, mental health and how they are connected.

The AHA will host its inaugural Healthier Together Conference May 12-14, 2026, in Dallas.

Nell Buhlman, chief administrative officer and head of strategy at Press Ganey, and Chris DeRienzo, M.D., AHA chief physician executive, explore the data-backed connection between employee engagement and patient outcomes.