News

America’s Health Insurance Plans said it is taking action to make sure plans cover COVID-19 diagnostic testing and reduce service barriers, such as prior-authorization and cost-sharing. AHIP also is encouraging the use of telehealth and at-home care to widen access. 

The Food and Drug Administration reported 55 injuries and one death involving an infusion pump and vital signs monitoring system.

Sens. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and John Hoeven, R-N.D., introduced AHA-supported legislation (S. 3399) that would renew for five years a demonstration project that tests new models of health care delivery for critical access hospitals in the most sparsely populated states.

Reps. Scott Peters, D-Calif., Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., Brett Guthrie, R-KY, Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., Richard Hudson, R-N.C., Michael McCaul, R-Texas, Kurt Schrader, D-Ore., and Gus Bilirakis, D-Fla., introduced the Preventing Drug Shortages Act (H.R. 6080). 

List prices for branded pharmaceutical products in the United States increased 159% between 2007 and 2018, an average of 9.1% per year, according to a study reported in JAMA.

Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., reintroduced the Protecting Jessica Grubb’s Legacy Act, AHA-supported legislation that would modernize privacy regulations affecting the disclosure of substance use disorder treatment records to better enable health care providers to coordinate care.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance for risk assessment and public health management of health care personnel with potential exposure to patients with novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The AHA’s American Organization for Nursing Leadership subsidiary will present several members, a hospital and a state affiliate with 2020 awards during its annual meeting March 19-21 in Nashville, Tenn.

Join AHA’s The Value Initiative and the Advancement League March 14 at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, for a public session exploring how hospitals, clinicians and community-based organizations are improving community health by addressing housing needs.

Between April 7 and June 15, the Hospital Quality Reporting program will transition to a new QualityNet ID management security system called Health Care Quality Information Systems Access Roles and Profile (HARP), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg blocked Medicaid work requirements in Michigan, citing an appeals court decision last month that affirmed his decision blocking Medicaid work requirements in Arkansas.

The House passed an $8.3 billion funding package for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) preparedness and response.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services should develop prior authorization measures for the Medicare Advantage Star Ratings Program to minimize care delays and protect patients from inappropriate care denials, AHA said in submitted comments.

The Food and Drug Administration said cybersecurity vulnerabilities known as “SweynTooth” could pose a risk to some medical devices, such as pacemakers, glucose monitors and ultrasound equipment, that use Bluetooth Low Energy.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed rule on the standards governing health insurance issuers and the Health Insurance Marketplaces for 2021 includes a number of policies that could benefit patients by lowering drug prices and premiums, incentivizing use of high-value services and ensuring premium dollars are spent wisely, AHA said in submitted comments .

Hospitals have treated more than 150 people from tornadoes that swept through middle Tennessee, killing 22 people and causing widespread damage, according to news reports.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued guidance to states implementing Section 5022 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act of 2018.

The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a hearing titled “Combatting an Epidemic: Legislation to Help Patients with Substance Use Disorders.” 

Health care personnel may use certain N95 and other respirators approved for use in industrial settings during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak under an emergency use authorization approved by the Food and Drug Administration. 

The Federal Trade Commission issued an administrative complaint alleging that the proposed merger of Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health and Einstein Healthcare Network would reduce competition in two counties.