Special Bulletin

The American Hospital Association (AHA)  sends members Special Bulletins on the latest health care news, legislation, and advocacy opportunities for hospitals and health systems.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) April 27 issued its hospital inpatient prospective payment system (PPS) and long-term care hospital (LTCH) PPS proposed rule for fiscal year (FY) 2022. In addition to proposing a 2.8% increase in inpatient PPS payments for 2022 and other…
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services late on April 27, 2021, issued its hospital inpatient prospective payment system and long-term care hospital PPS proposed rule for fiscal year 2022. AHA staff are reviewing the rule.
The AHA today released a new episode of PowerPlay, the on-demand video series that connects AHA members to major players in policy, politics and science. The episode features a conversation between Michelle Hood, AHA executive vice president and chief operating officer, and Sen. Susan Collins, R-…
Medicare patients who receive care in a hospital outpatient department (HOPD) are more likely to be poorer and have more severe chronic conditions than Medicare patients treated in an independent physician office (IPO), according to a study released today by the AHA. The study also specifically…
The House of Representatives tonight voted 384-38 to pass a bill that, among other health care provisions, would eliminate the 2% across-the-board cut to all Medicare payments, known as sequestration, until the end of 2021. To pay for the change, the bill would increase the fiscal year 2030…
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) April 8 issued its fiscal year (FY) 2022 proposed rule for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS). The proposed rule would increase SNF payments by 1.3% in FY 2022, with varying updates for hospital-based…
President Biden today submitted to Congress his discretionary budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2022. The budget request, which is not binding, proposes $1.5 trillion for appropriated spending in FY 2022, including $769 billion for domestic programs, a 16% increase over last year’s level. The…
The Food and Drug Administration today 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.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) April 7 issued its fiscal year (FY) 2022 proposed rule for the inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) prospective payment system (PPS).
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today announced the immediate resumption of survey activities for all complaints. On Jan. 20, 2021, CMS issued guidance limiting hospital surveys for all complaints other than Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) complaints. The suspension period lasted for 30…