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Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra June 2 declared a public health emergency in the territory of Guam due to Typhoon Mawar, and waived or modified certain Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program requirements to ensure sufficient health care items and services are available.

In comments submitted June 5, AHA said it appreciates that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposed a net positive update for the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system for fiscal year 2024, but remains concerned that the agency’s market basket approach lags in recognizing inflationary trends and may not fully capture the rising costs of care

In comments submitted June 5, AHA said it appreciates that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has not proposed any major payment or coverage changes to the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for fiscal year 2024, but urged the agency to consider changing its historical approach to the annual payment update to reflect the increased costs that hospitals are facing due to inflation and labor shortages.

On Friday, AHA led the seventh annual #HAVhope Friday, part of its Hospital Against Violence initiative, to focus national attention on ending all forms of violence in our workplaces and communities.

The FDA on June 2 told AHA that is has worked with Qilu Pharmaceuticals and Apotex Corp. to temporarily import cisplatin, a drug used in chemotherapy, after a national shortage.

The application window for AHA’s 2024 Circle of Life Awards is now open. The award recognizes programs and organizations that provide innovative palliative or end-of-life care. The deadline to apply is July 10.

On #HAVhope Day, hear some of the ways health care leaders are tackling the problem of workplace aggression and the potential solutions.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is following up on a previous alert of an outbreak of suspected fungal meningitis in Texas, which is now significantly expanded to multiple states.

Senate lawmakers last night voted 63-36 to pass the bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (H.R. 3746), a deal to suspend the nation’s debt limit for nearly two years and make other policy changes.

Hospitals and health systems are beacons of healing, comfort, care and hope.

New research from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that by early fall 2022, an overwhelming percentage of American adults had antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

The House May 30 voted 314-117 to pass the bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (H.R. 3746), a deal to suspend the debt limit for nearly two years and make other policy changes. The Senate has begun consideration of the bill; a vote is possible by Friday, June 2. 

Following discussions between the American Hospital Association and United Healthcare, the insurer announced May 31 a refocused gastroenterology policy that relies on additional provider education rather than prior authorizations to address the insurer’s concerns about possible overutilization.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services May 31 released regulatory changes to the COVID-19 health care staff vaccination requirements and long-term care facility testing requirements.

Deanna Martin, AHA’s vice president for professional membership groups, highlights the valuable insights to be gained by environmental services professionals who take part in the upcoming AHE Exchange Conference July 31-Aug. 2.

Hear recommendations for the bold and innovative approaches that are needed to support current staff and recruit the health care workers of tomorrow.

The Environmental Protection Agency May 30 announced its intent to finalize by March 1, 2024, new rules governing emissions from ethylene oxide, the gas widely used in medical sterilization facilities.

Medicaid disenrollments are a looming concern for hospitals already operating close to the margins, according to a new report by Kaufman Hall.

By understanding the attitudes and beliefs that drive patient behavior, health care organizations “can design messaging that promotes positive health outcomes, including messages deployed during a public health emergency,” writes Erin Fogarty, health education and marketing director for the Livingston County Health Department in Pontiac, Ill.

Rebecca Chickey, AHA’s senior director of behavioral health, talks with Dr. Arpan Waghray, CEO of Providence Well-Being Trust, and Elisa Arespacochaga, AHA’s vice president of clinical affairs and workforce, about strategies to support the mental well-being of health care workers.