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) today announced that it is extending the quarter 3 (Q3) 2020 data submission deadlines for several of its quality reporting and value programs for hospitals, post-acute care and other providers. CMS indicates the extension is intended “to help…
Special Bulletin The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) to Pfizer, Inc. for its BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. As you are aware, distribution and administration of the first shipments are well underway across the country.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced that it has begun distributing $24.5 billion in “Phase 3” funds from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund to eligible hospitals, as well as other providers. This amount is an increase from the $20 billion the…
A bipartisan group of senators and representatives yesterday released legislative text for both the Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020, a $748 billion COVID-19 relief package that boosts funding for health care providers, vaccines and testing, and the Bipartisan State and Local Support and…
To help hospitals and health systems understand what the federal appellate court’s “prudent layperson” standard decision means to them, AHA enlisted law firm Lash & Goldberg LLP to provide an in-depth analysis of the decision and its impact.
In-Depth Analysis of the “Prudent Layperson” Standard Decision’s Impact UPDATED WITH LINK Analysis of Court Decision on Legality of Health Plan ED Review Policies
Last night, House and Senate Committee leaders announced a bipartisan agreement to address surprise medical bills, the “No Surprises Act.” The bill is supported by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) and Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-TX), House Energy and Commerce…
The Food and Drug Administration late last night granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) to Pfizer, Inc. for its BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, paving the way for its immediate administration across the country. Health care workers and nursing home residents will receive first priority and…
The Food and Drug Administration today granted an emergency use authorization to Pfizer, Inc. for its BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, paving the way for its immediate administration across the country. The vaccine is administered in two doses, 21 days apart, and requires ultracold (minus-70 degrees…
At a Glance The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), in coordination with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), Dec. 10 proposed new regulations that would build on efforts to improve the electronic exchange of health care information,…