News

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services yesterday released premium and cost-sharing information for Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans for the 2023 calendar year. CMS projects the average monthly premium for MA plans will fall by $1.52 to $18, while the average monthly premium for a basic Medicare Part D prescription drug plan will fall by 58 cents to $31.50.

Climate change could increase flooding from hurricanes for hospitals in highly populated areas along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, according to a study reported yesterday in GeoHealth. The authors estimate at least half of hospitals in 25 metropolitan areas on these coasts are at risk of flooding from relatively weak hurricanes, and that expected sea level rise this century could increase the odds of flooding by 22%.

The House today voted 230-201 to pass a continuing resolution extending current federal funding levels for health care and other programs through Dec. 16. The Senate approved the measure yesterday. Current government funding expires at midnight tonight.

With fall in full swing, there are two easy steps that individuals can take to protect themselves and their families against illness – get a flu shot and get a COVID-19 vaccination or booster.

In a study reported this week in JAMA Network Open, researchers found no association between a drug’s list price and research and development costs. The study looked at 60 drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration between 2009 and 2018.

This week is Employee Voter Registration Week and AHA’s We Care, We Vote initiative has new resources to help hospitals and health systems engage their workforce in the 2022 midterm election.

Over 1,000 hospitals and health associations, including the AHA, have joined a national public awareness campaign launched by Northwell Health to encourage parents to ask family and friends if firearms are safely stored in their home.

The House today passed legislation that would suspend through 2022 tariffs on certain infant formula base powders used to make infant formula in the United States.

The House voted 220-205 today to pass legislation to hold employer-based health plans more accountable for improper denials of mental health and substance use benefits.

The Senate today voted 72-25 to pass and send to the House a continuing resolution that would extend current federal funding levels for health care and other programs through Dec. 16.

CMS approved Medicaid demonstrations for Oregon and Massachusetts that will test innovative approaches to help eligible enrollees maintain coverage and access social services, including evidenced-based nutritional assistance and clinically-tailored housing supports. 

In a study of 151 tax-exempt hospitals reported yesterday in JAMA Network Open, 84% updated their charity care policies between 2019 and 2021.

At a White House conference today on hunger, nutrition and health, the Biden Administration announced $8 billion in

AHA today released Suicide Prevention: Evidence-Informed Interventions for the

Commenting on a proposed rule that would reinstate certain regulatory protections against discrimination in health care programs and activities under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act that the prior Administration removed in 2020, AHA said hospitals and health systems remain committed to diversity, inclusion and health equity.  

The United States District Court for the District of Columbia ruled in favor of the AHA, holding that HHS must immediately halt the departments’ unlawful cuts to outpatient reimbursement rates for the remainder of 2022 for certain hospitals that participate in the 340B Drug Pricing Program. 

The AHA and Federation of American Hospitals urged Congress to oppose H.R.1330/S.4130 and any other legislation that would repeal or weaken current law limiting self-referral to physician-owned hospitals.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra yesterday declared a public health emergency for Florida as Hurricane Ian approaches, and waived or modified certain Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program requirements to ensure sufficient health care items and services are available.

Pfizer has submitted a request for the Food and Drug Administration to authorize a 10-microgram booster dose of its bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster for emergency use in children aged 5-11.

The Medicare Part A deductible for inpatient hospital services will increase by $44 in calendar year 2023, to $1,600, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced today.