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) Aug. 3 issued a proposed rule that would update physician fee schedule (PFS) payments for calendar year (CY) 2021. The rule also included several proposals to implement year five of the quality payment program (QPP) created by the Medicare…
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today released the calendar year (CY) 2021 outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS)/ambulatory surgical center (ASC) proposed rule.
The White House Aug. 3 issued an executive order on “improving rural health and telehealth access.” The order includes directives to: launch a new payment model for rural health care; develop and implement a strategy to improve rural health care infrastructure; create a report describing policy…
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services July 31 issued the final rule for the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system for fiscal year 2021. The final rule increases SNF payments by 2.2% ($750 million) in FY 2021, with larger updates for hospital-based providers. The rule takes…
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) yesterday updated its guidance and frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the agency’s request for daily COVID-19-related hospital data reporting. The most notable changes are detailed below, and the updated guidance is effective immediately.
Please join AHA Board Chair Melinda Estes, M.D., for the second in a series of Leadership Rounds – short conversations on a range of key issues Dr. Estes will have with hospital and health system leaders from across the country.
Senate Republicans this afternoon released a series of bills aimed at addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. The bills represent Senate Republicans’ offer on the next COVID-19 relief package.
President Trump today signed three executive orders aimed at lowering the price of prescription drugs. The first executive order seeks to pass federally-qualified health center (FQHC) insulin and EpiPen discounts directly to their patients.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) this week shared additional information on reporting requirements for recipients of provider relief funds authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act…