News

Medicare patients who receive care in a hospital outpatient department clinic are more likely to be poor, previously hospitalized and have severe chronic conditions than those treated in an ambulatory surgical center, according to a study by KNG Health Consulting released today by the AHA.

Reps. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., and Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., yesterday reintroduced  the Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act (H.R. 2062), AHA-supported legislation that would align 42 CFR Part 2, federal regulations governing the confidentiality of substance use disorder treatment and prevention records, with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act regulations, and strengthen patient protections. Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., have reintroduced companion legislation (S. 1012), the Protecting Jessica Grubb’s Legacy Act. 

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce yesterday passed a number of AHA-supported bills that would lower prescription drug costs and strengthen the Affordable Care Act marketplaces to improve access and lower the cost of coverage for consumers.  

During the American Organization of Nurse Executives Annual Meeting April 12 in San Diego, the AONE Foundation for Nursing Leadership Research and Education will present its 2019

The AHA expressed support for a number of bills being considered today by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce that would lower prescription drug costs and strengthen the Affordable Care Act marketplaces to improve access and lower the cost of coverage for consumers.

The Senate yesterday passed by voice vote a bill (H.R. 1839) that contains a number of Medicaid provisions, including the ACE Kids Act.

The House of Representatives today voted 240-186 to approve a resolution urging the administration to reverse its decision to seek to invalidate the Affordable Care Act in ongoing litigation.

The House Education and Labor Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions today held a hearing on protecting patients from surprise medical bills.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services yesterday finalized its policy and payment updates for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans for calendar year 2020.

The AHA today shared with House and Senate members of the Congressional Telehealth Caucus recommendations for improving and expanding access to telehealth. 

In a friend-of-the-court brief filed today, the AHA, along with the Federation of American Hospitals, The Catholic Health Association of the United States, America’s Essential Hospitals, and the Association of American Medical Colleges urged the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to reject a district court decision that struck down the entire Affordable Care Act.

The Health Resources and Services Administration today launched a new website that organizations participating in the 340B Drug Pricing Program can use to determine the maximum prices drug companies can charge them for medications sold under the program.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., will address attendees at the AHA Annual Membership Meeting during a special session on Tuesday, April 9 at 11 a.m. Speaker Pelosi will share insights on the 116th Congress and her legislative priorities for health care as the Democrats now control the gavel in the House

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Friday approved a Section 1115 waiver allowing Utah to amend its Primary Care Network demonstration to provide Medicaid coverage to adults under age 65 with incomes up to 100 percent of the federal poverty level, and require certain adults in the program to register to apply for work to remain eligible.

The Nebraska Hospital Association Research and Educational Foundation has established a disaster relief fund to help hospital employees adversely affected by recent flooding and other severe weather events in the state.

The American Organization of Nurse Executives will present a hospital, several members and a state affiliate with 2019 awards during its annual meeting next week in San Diego.

My four decades in health care have taught me there is no substitute for personal connections. Face-to-face conversations with colleagues, patients and caregivers keep us grounded and in touch with what is really going on.

Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Susan Collins, R-Maine, Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, yesterday introduced AHA-supported legislation (S. 948) to improve and extend the Conrad State 30 program until 2021.

A federal district judge yesterday vacated a Department of Labor final rule that modified the definition of “employer” under federal law such that more individuals, including sole proprietors, are eligible to participate in association health plans based on geography or industry.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention yesterday recommended treating all hospitalized, severely ill and high-risk patients who have suspected or confirmed influenza with antiviral medications as soon as possible.