News

The Federal Emergency Management Agency released recommendations to help organizations receiving FEMA COVID-19 public assistance document and account for disaster costs, comply with federal procurement standards and safeguard personally identifiable information.

The Food and Drug Administration urged health care facilities to transition away from using crisis capacity conservation strategies, such as decontamination or bioburden reduction, to extend the use of N95s and other similar disposable respirators. 

When Congress returns to Washington, D.C., on Monday, lawmakers’ attention will turn to one of the largest infrastructure spending packages in our nation’s history. 

Fifty-three organizations began participating April 1 in the first performance year of the Global and Professional Direct Contracting Model, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation announced.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a proposed rule to update hospice payment rates for fiscal year 2022. CMS proposes a 2.3% ($530 million) net increase to payments, compared to FY 2021.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a proposed rule to update skilled nursing facility payment rates for fiscal year 2022.

Public health departments that receive certain federal grants to prevent opioid overdoses can now use those funds to purchase fentanyl test strips, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how crucial technology is for health care delivery, but individuals without broadband access cannot access digital health options. Other individuals may struggle to comprehend information in digital formats.

The Department of Labor yesterday released FAQs, model notices and other guidance for employers

Minority Health Month (April) and Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17) provide an opportunity for hospitals and health systems to discuss childbirth risks for communities of color.

In this blog post, Terrence Cunningham, AHA director of administrative simplification policy, highlights how United HealthCare’s Designated Diagnostic Provider program could reduce patient access to care and choice of provider, as well as subject patients to a higher risk of an unanticipated medical bill.

Twenty organizations, including the AHA, last week urged congressional appropriators to provide $485 million in fiscal year 2022 funding for the Children’s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education program.

Just over 528,000 people selected a 2021 health plan through the federally facilitated marketplace between Feb. 15 and March 31 during the special enrollment period created in response to the COVID-19 emergency, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reported today.

Nearly 80% of prekindergarten through 12th grade teachers, school staff and child care workers had received at least their first COVID-19 shot by April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced yesterday.

Leaders from Henry Ford Health System and the Islamic Center of America discuss their collaboration to increase vaccinations in the Muslim community around Detroit, and the cultural and logistical factors they considered to make their effort successful.

The National Academy of Medicine today released a discussion paper examining the experiences of hospitals and health systems during the COVID-19 pandemic, and opportunities to leverage the lessons of COVID-19 to support performance improvements to the sector more broadly.

In a letter to the editor published today by the Washington Post, AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack responds to a recent article in the paper’s Business section, which suggested COVID-19 relief funds enriched “wealthy” hospital systems. 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services late today issued a proposed rule for the inpatient psychiatric facility prospective payment system for fiscal year 2022.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today issued a brief proposed rule for the inpatient rehabilitation facility prospective payment system for fiscal year 2022.

Many of the digital solutions we relied on during the pandemic will remain, making digital health equity, including digital access and literacy, even more important. As hospitals and health systems design and implement digital solutions, it will be imperative to take proactive steps so all individuals have the opportunity to engage with these tools.