News

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights Jan. 25 released guidance reminding hospitals, critical access hospitals and long-term care facilities of their obligation under Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regulations to ensure that their visitation policies do not unlawfully discriminate based on religion or other protected bases under federal civil rights laws, including during a public health emergency.

From supporting clinical trials and street-based social work to opening new branches, Colorado-based UCHealth uses every tool it can to provide an impressive array of community benefits, much of it in uncompensated care.

Hospitals and health systems are prioritizing preserving access to care for patients in rural America, including via access points like hospital outpatient departments that provide essential services for rural and low-income communities, according to a new AHA report released Jan. 25.

In the latest episode of the AHA series “Beyond Birth,” clinical social worker Laura La Porte and new mom Anna Ma discuss how the Perinatal Depression Program at Endeavor Health supports a new mother's mental health and provides avenues for parents to seek help.

A record 21.3 million people selected a 2024 health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplaces during the open enrollment period, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reported Jan. 24.

Most U.S. hospitals and health systems are increasingly undertaking climate mitigation initiatives, such as reducing energy consumption and waste or setting emissions targets, according to hospital clinical leaders surveyed by the Commonwealth Fund.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Jan. 23 asked five third-party marketing organizations that participate in Medicare Advantage enrollment to provide certain information by Jan. 31 about their business practices as the committee continues its inquiry into problematic MA marketing practices.

The Department of Health and Human Services Jan. 24 released voluntary Cybersecurity Performance Goals for the sector, which include 10 “essential” and 10 “enhanced" goals.

In a Jan. 24 letter, AHA and other national hospital organizations voiced support for the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act (H.R. 2584/S. 2768), bipartisan legislation that would provide federal protections for health care workers similar to those that apply to aircraft and airport workers. 

The AHA’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity seeks applicants and host sites through Feb. 4 for its Summer Enrichment Program, which pairs graduate students studying health care or a related field with a health care organization.

AHA Trustee Services’ latest Boardroom Brief highlights the board's role in health equity and how hospital and health system boards can prioritize health equity at their organizations.

A Department of Veterans Affairs policy that provides free emergency suicide prevention care has helped nearly 50,000 veterans and former service members in its first year, the VA announced last week.

There’s something unique about the alignment of physicians, nurses, other health care professionals and hospital and health system leaders in serving patients: We are all in it together. We all have shared opportunities and shared challenges.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a five-part webinar series on its Hospital Sepsis Program Core Elements, which offer guidance to help clinicians, hospitals and health sy

The AHA CLEAR Crisis Leadership Video Series, now available on demand, features hospital and health system leaders sharing insights, strategies and lessons learned on navigating public health emergencies ranging from mass violence incidents to natural disasters to cyberattacks.

The House Ways and Means Committee Jan. 19 voted 40-3 to advance the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024.

For many people, choosing an MA plan is a life-changing event and a significant act of trust, counting on the payer they selected to provide the pre-agreed upon coverage for either current medical needs or those that may arise.

The departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury will reopen the public comment period for their proposed rule to improve the No Surprises Act independent dispute resolution process for 14 days beginning Jan. 22 to provide additional time for interested parties to comment.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will select up to eight states to participate in a new Medicaid model to launch this fall for adult Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries with mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders.

A dual-rate payment system and other factors have sharply increased losses for long-term care hospitals caring for the most severely ill patients under Medicare’s LTCH Prospective Payment System, according to a new AHA white paper, which recommends changes to the payment system’s high-cost outlier policy to help stabilize payment for these hospitals and ensure continued access to care for these beneficiaries.