News

In a clinical trial of hospitalized patients in the United Kingdom, low-dose dexamethasone (a steroid) reduced deaths by one-third in ventilated patients and one-fifth in patients receiving oxygen only, the UK's National Institute for Health Research reported today.

A bipartisan group of 30 senators urged congressional leaders to make permanent provisions included in previous COVID-19 legislation to expand access to telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries.

The Department of Health and Human Services updated its FAQs on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act emergency relief fund, with specific attention to provider reporting related to these funds.

The Federal Reserve Board announced it will seek public comments on a proposal to expand its Main Street Lending Program to provide access to credit for nonprofit organizations, including hospitals, a move advocated for by the AHA.

The U.S. Supreme Court held that the definition of sex under Title VII, the federal law prohibiting discrimination in the workplace, includes sexual orientation and gender identity.

AHA submitted comments on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed rule on the inpatient rehabilitation facility prospective payment system for fiscal year 2021.

Nearly one in four workers, about 37.7 million, are at higher risk for serious illness if infected by COVID-19 due to age or underlying health conditions, according to a study released by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has consolidated its recommendations for COVID-19 testing, which it will update as additional information becomes available.

The Food and Drug Administration last week issued an emergency use authorization for Cue Health Inc.’s new SARS-CoV-2 nasal swab test in patient care settings.

The Food and Drug Administration said it no longer authorizes the use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine as an effective treatment of COVID-19.

In a letter to the editor, AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack notes, “Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, the financial state of many hospitals was very fragile, with one of every four hospitals in America operating in the red.

AHA identified legislative and regulatory actions needed to maintain or extend telehealth flexibilities implemented during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced that it is planning an additional distribution of funds to hospitals that have been particularly affected by the increased burden of caring for those with COVID-19.

The Department of Health and Human Services finalized proposed revisions to a 2016 rule implementing nondiscrimination protections for patients under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.

Kevin Dahill will retire Dec. 31 as CEO and president of the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council and Northern Metropolitan Hospital Association (NorMet), part of the Healthcare Association of New York State and its Suburban Hospital Alliance.

The National Center for Healthcare Leadership is accepting nominations through July 6 for the 2020 Gail L. Warden Leadership Excellence Award.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released guidance on using telehealth to expand access to health care services during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

The Small Business Administration released an interim final rule implementing the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, AHA-supported legislation enacted last week.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted life in ways we never expected. For patients across the country, the cancellation or postponement of non-emergent surgeries, clinic visits and procedures delayed important medical care and financially devastated many hospitals and health systems, even threatening the ability of many to keep their doors open.

Beginning July 1, certain hospital outpatient department services require prior authorization for payment under the Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system final rule for calendar year 2020.