News

The AHA Jan. 9 urged the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to consider, during its next meeting Jan. 15-16, higher payment updates for the inpatient and outpatient prospective payment systems than those discussed in December and to examine Medicare Advantage’s role in access to care and provider financial stability.

A study published Jan. 7 by the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center examined the availability of hospital-based obstetric services in the U.S. by county from 2010-2023. It found 293 counties (8.6%) nationwide lost all hospital-based obstetric services during that period.

An AHA blog published Jan. 8 highlights an EY analysis prepared for the AHA on the ways nonprofit hospitals and health systems contribute to their communities and deliver community benefits, as reported in the IRS Schedule H, that far outweigh the value of their tax exemption. 

Congress returned to Washington this week with a full plate of issues to contend with in the short term as it defines its legislative agenda for the remainder of 2026.

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing (https://energycommerce.house.gov/posts/chairmen-guthrie-and-griffith-announce-legislative-hearing-on-improving-medicare-payment-policies-for-seniors) Jan. 8 to discuss legislation on Medicare payment policies for seniors, including the AHA-supported Reforming and Enhancing Sustainable Updates to Laboratory Testing Services Act (H.R. 5269) (https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5269).

The AHA Guide 2026 Edition is now available, providing comprehensive hospital directory information on more than 6,200 hospitals and 400 health care systems.

The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Jan. 7 denied the government’s motion for a stay in a lawsuit filed by the AHA, the Maine Hospital Association and four safety-net health systems challenging the Department of Health and Human Services’ 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program. This means that the program remains on hold.

The application period has opened for hospitals to apply for the latest allocation of Medicare-funded graduate medical education residency slots under Section 126 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.

Stephanie Calcasola, R.N., chief quality officer and vice president of quality and safety at Hartford HealthCare, unpacks the programs, technology and cultural shifts that drove measurable and nationally recognized results in patient safety.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has implemented an online form for providers to submit complaints regarding Medicare Advantage plans.

The Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture Jan. 7 released updated dietary guidelines for Americans.

The Food and Drug Administration today released two guidance documents; one related to low-risk wellness products (including certain wearable devices) and the other related to clinical decision sup

The Health Resources and Services Administration yesterday announced updated cervical cancer sc

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has released updated resources on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Former AHA Board Member John “Jack” J.

Wendy Kim, DNP, R.N., vice president and chief nursing officer of Henry Ford Health in Michigan, shares how the system’s virtual nursing program is reducing documentation burden, improving patient safety and giving nurses more time at the bedside.

The AHA has released its newest TrendWatch Chartbook, presenting the latest data on topics impacting hospitals and health systems, from health care spending, coverage and use to organizational and workforce trends

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Dec. 30 that it will no longer require states to report measures reflecting the immunization status of children and pregnant women, but states can still report that information voluntarily.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Jan. 5 updated the childhood vaccine schedule.

The Food and Drug Administration has identified a recall by Cook Medical of Zenith Alpha 2 Thoracic Endovascular Graft proximal components after Cook Medical found that scrapings of polytetrafluoroethylene coating may be released inside the stent graft during use. Impacted components include all length ZTA2-P/PT devices with diameters between 40 mm and 46 mm.