News

The AHA and Texas Hospital Association filed a friend-of-the-court brief supporting the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and several Texas hospitals and health systems challenging a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Departmental Appeals Board decision adopting a “net effect” standard for “bona fide provider-related donations” to supplemental payments in Medicaid.

The AHA, along with Baxter International Foundation, is accepting applications through July 31, 2021 for the 2022 Foster G. McGaw Prize. The prize honors health care organizations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to community service.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Office of Minority Health opened a two-day virtual forum on advancing health equity and efforts to address structural racism in health care.

AHA’s latest Hospitals Against Violence convening gathered over 200 clinical, programmatic and community leaders for a working session on tools, strategies and resources that health care providers can use to fight the global scourge of human trafficking. 

The Department of Health and Human Services released new practice guidelines for administering buprenorphine, which exempt from certain training and certification requirements eligible physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists and certified nurse midwives who wish to treat up to 30 patients at any time.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced relaxed guidance for mask wearing, stating that individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no longer need to wear masks outdoors, except in certain crowd settings and venues.

The AHA is partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and League for Innovation in the Community College to train future health professionals to prevent and control infections through community colleges nationwide. 

As part of the Black American Week of Action April 25 to May 1, the Department of Health and Human Services has partnered with the AHA and other national organizations to inform Black Americans through social media about the special enrollment period available through Aug. 15 at the federally-facilitated health insurance marketplace. 

In this episode, I was delighted to talk with Stacey Stewart, president and CEO of March of Dimes, and present her with AHA’s 2020 Award of Honor for her organization’s work during eight decades to improve health outcomes for mothers and babies.

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) continues to exploit five publicly known cyber vulnerabilities, the National Security Agency, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and FBI said in a joint advisory. 

April 24 is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, an opportunity for the public to safely dispose of unwanted or expired tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs at sites throughout the country.

Tampa Bay Thrives brings health care providers together with behavioral health providers, law enforcement, government agencies, schools and leading corporations to improve outcomes for depression, anxiety and substance use disorders in the region with a focus on early intervention, access and awareness.

Join the AHA April 27 at 2:30 p.m. ET for an Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative webinar featuring the 2020 Circle of Life Award honorees and AHA Trustee Mary Beth Kingston, chief nursing officer, Advocate Aurora Health. Panelists will discuss the link between palliative and age-friendly care and share resources on meeting the needs of older adults and palliative care patients.

The AHA presented its 2020 Award of Honor to the March of Dimes for its commitment to advancing the health and well-being of mothers and babies. The annual award recognizes individuals or organizations for exemplary contributions to U.S. health and well-being through leadership on major health policies or social initiatives.

The Health Resources and Services Administration released fact sheets in English and Spanish on patient rights and provider responsibilities regarding access to COVID-19 vaccines.

An independent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory committee recommended immediate resumption of the administration of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S.

The government’s announcement last week that more than half of all adults in the U.S. have received at least one COVID-19 shot is a remarkable feat that outperforms earlier predictions about the pace of vaccinations across the country.  

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone Jr., D-NJ, re-introduced the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3) with other Democratic committee leaders.

The AHA urged leaders of the House Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies to consider the potential effect their health care funding decisions for fiscal year 2022 will have on hospitals’ ability to care for their patients and communities and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and other ongoing challenges.

The AHA has released a new video showing examples of what the hospital and health system field has been able to accomplish during the past year, including recent legislative efforts that have provided critical support and resources.