News

The Senate Finance Committee yesterday voted to unanimously approve, as amended, the Helping to End Addiction and Lessen (HEAL) Substance Use Disorders Act.

The American Medical Association yesterday named as its president-elect Patrice Harris, M.D., a psychiatrist from Atlanta and the first African-American to hold the office.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today announced it will not update its overall hospital quality star ratings on Hospital Compare in July.

The AHA today voiced support for certain provisions in and proposed amendments to the Helping to End Addiction and Lessen (HEAL) Substance Use Disorders Act.

Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) today introduced an AHA-supported bill that would make changes to the 340B drug savings program, including overturning last year’s significant Medicare payment reduction for many hospitals in the program and adding program integrity requirements for drug manufacturers participating in the program.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee today held a hearing examining the administration’s blueprint to lower prescription drug prices.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics has released the first ICD-10-CM codes for classifying human trafficking abuse.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services yesterday released a “roadmap” outlining its efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.

The American Medical Association today adopted a policy declaring drug shortages an urgent public health crisis.

The House of Representatives this week is expected to vote on more than 30 bills to address the opioid crisis, with more votes on additional opioid-related bills expected the week of June 18.  

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today issued guidance on designing state approaches to covering treatment services for Medicaid-eligible infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating hepatitis A outbreaks in multiple states among people reporting drug use and/or homelessness and their contacts.

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi has entered a consent decree prohibiting Delta Pharma from manufacturing or distributing compounded drugs until they comply with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and FDA regulations.

The Maine health commissioner has appealed a court order requiring the state to submit to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services a state plan amendment ensuring Medicaid eligibility for qualified low-income residents.

Next week, June 20-22, the AHA is hosting a Team Training National Conference in San Diego for health care organizations to improve patient safety by successfully implementing and sustaining TeamSTEPPS, an evidence-based set of teamwork tools. Hospitals and health systems across the U.S. have used TeamSTEPPS to improve quality and safety.

The Department of Justice yesterday told a federal court that it would no longer defend key provisions of the Affordable Care Act, including ones that require individuals to have health insurance and protect consumers with pre-existing medical conditions.

The House of Representatives last night voted 210-206 to approve legislation (H.R. 3) that would rescind about $15 billion in prior appropriations to federal programs, including nearly $7 billion from the Children’s Health Insurance Program and $800 million from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will host a June 19 webinar on emergency preparedness for providers.

The AHA today released a new resource highlighting the importance of addressing the social determinants of health.

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Truth Initiative and Ad Council yesterday unveiled a public education campaign focused on preventing and reducing misuse of opioids among youth and young adults.