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The House last night voted 220-210 to pass legislation (H.R.382) that would immediately terminate the COVID-19 public health emergency, and 227-203 to pass legislation (H.R.497) that would eliminate the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers at facilities that participate in Medicare or Medicaid.

Following the recent district court decision to remand to the Department of Health and Human Services the question of how to repay 340B hospitals for funds unlawfully withheld for five years, AHA today asked to meet with the responsible HHS team to discuss its forthcoming remedial proposal.  

A new special issue of Health Services Research highlights cutting-edge research from experts in age-friendly care.

Commenting on a proposed rule to improve the exchange of patient records used in the treatment of substance use disorder, AHA said it supports the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s proposal to align definitions and require only a single patient consent in perpetuity for appropriate use and disclosure.

About 100 organizations, including the AHA, urged the Federal Trade Commission to extend by 60 days the comment period for a proposed rule that would ban as an unfair method of competition contractual terms that prohibit workers from pursuing certain employment after their contract with an employer ends.

CMS finalized technical details regarding the Medicare Advantage Risk Adjustment Data Validation program, which the agency uses to recover improper risk adjustment payments from MA plans when the medical diagnoses submitted for payment are not supported in the beneficiary’s medical record.

As the Congressional Telehealth Caucus considers updates to legislation that would permanently remove all geographic restrictions on Medicare telehealth services and expand originating sites, AHA encouraged House and Senate caucus leaders to consider adding provisions that have expanded access to care during the COVID-19 public health emergency. 

The Biden Administration plans to end on May 11 the COVID-19 national and public health emergencies declared in 2020, according to a policy statement released by the Office of Management and Budget opposing House resolutions that would end the emergencies immediately if passed.

CMS released additional guidance on changes to the Medicaid continuous enrollment requirement under recently enacted legislation funding the federal government through fiscal year 2023.

AHA submitted comments in response to CMS request for information on potential changes to Essential Health Benefits requirements under the Affordable Care Act.

Commenting on CMS' proposed Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2024, AHA voiced support for proposals to designate certain behavioral health provider types and Rural Emergency Hospitals as essential community providers, among other proposals.

Last year was the worst financial year for U.S. hospitals and health systems since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, as growth in expenses outpaced growth in revenues and volumes, according to the latest report on hospital finances from Kaufman Hall. 

Drugmakers that participate in the 340B drug pricing program do not have to provide discounted 340B drugs to an unlimited number of contract pharmacies, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit ruled in Sanofi-Aventis U.S. v. HHS et al. Cases raising similar legal questions are pending in the District of Columbia and 7th Circuits.

A pro-Russian hacktivist group known for distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks against countries supporting Ukraine on Jan. 28 allegedly released attack lists for hospitals and medical organizations in several countries, HHS alerted the sector.

This year I’ll be continuing the AHA Leadership Dialogue series and talking with health care, business and community leaders on trending topics in the field.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services yesterday approved the first Medicaid demonstration to provide a limited set of health care services to justice-involved individuals before they are released.

States, territories, health facilities and tribal organizations can apply through March 27 for up to $525,000 million each for residential treatment programs to provide comprehensive services for pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorders, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced.

Kaiser Permanente, an integrated health care provider based in California, yesterday committed $25 million over five years to expand its recently established center to prevent gun injuries and death through care innovation, research, education and partnership.

CMS released new guidance and FAQs outlining the requirements and process for eligible rural and critical access hospitals interested in converting to a Rural Emergency Hospital, a new Medicare provider type effective Jan. 1.

Beginning March 20, OSHA may in certain cases cite for penalty each instance an employer violates certain standards, including for respiratory protection, the agency said in guidance yesterday to its regional administrators.