News

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services July 10 issued a proposed rule that would increase Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system rates by a net 2.6% in calendar year 2025 compared to 2024. This includes a proposed 3.0% market basket update, offset by a 0.4 percentage point cut for productivity. 

A joint advisory issued the week of July 8 by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, National Security Agency, FBI and several international agencies warns of the threat of a state-sponsored cyber group in China. The Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) 40, also known as Kryptonite Panda, GINGHAM TYPHOON, Leviathan and Bronze Mohawk, has previously targeted organizations in the United States and other countries.

An op-ed published July 9 in Modern Healthcare written by AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack and Catholic Health Association President and CEO Sr. Mary Haddad discusses why nonprofit hospitals need positive margins.

In a new “Safety Speaks” conversation, Harry S. Smith, board chair of Valley Health System and member of the AHA Committee on Governance, discusses how Valley Health rearranged its governance system to ensure that quality and patient safety standards were being met across the board.

The Healthcare Equality Network July 3 sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, expressing concerns about claims denials by commercial insurance companies.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration June 8 announced the availability of $27.5 million in funding opportunities focused on improving women's behavioral health.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services July 8 announced over 400 participants in a new model focused on improving dementia care.

A federal court in Texas last week found that the Federal Trade Commission likely lacked statutory authority to issue its Non-Compete Clause Final Rule.

Hospitals and health systems have a long history of leading initiatives that improve individual and community health.

The Department of Health and Human Services July 2 announced it will provide Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program coverage to incarcerated people in Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon, Utah and Vermont prior to release.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General last week announced its intent to investigate Medicare Advantage Organizations’ prior authorization denials for post-acute care after a qualifying hospital stay.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure sent a letter July 2 to hospital and provider groups restating its position that the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act requires Medicare-participating hospitals to offer necessary stabilizing medical treatment (or transfer, if appropriate) to all patients who are found to have an emergency medical condition.

Peter Slavin, M.D., will be the next president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai Health System, effective Oct. 1, the health system announced July 2.

In a letter submitted July 2 to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on guidance for the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, the AHA expressed concern about the agency’s proposal to retrospectively effectuate the policy.

The AHA July 2 submitted comments to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency on its proposed rule establishing reporting requirements for cybersecurity incidents under the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act.

The AHA sent a letter June 28 to the U.S. Trade Representative responding to a proposed increase in Section 301 tariffs for goods produced in China, which would include health care products.

A Mississippi judge July 1 denied Novartis Pharmaceuticals’ and PhRMA’s request for a preliminary injunction against enforcement of state law protecting 340B pricing for contract pharmacy arrangements.

Building and sustaining a strong and vibrant workforce is paramount for rural health care providers, but it is not easily achieved. In this conversation, Brandie Manuel, R.N., chief patient safety and quality officer at Jefferson Healthcare, discusses how the use of TeamSTEPPS and other tools are making a big difference in creating a thriving employee pipeline.

The AHA encourages hospitals and health systems that are making significant progress toward providing exceptional care based on the National Academy of Medicine’s six health care quality aims: safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable and patient-centered care to apply for its 2025 Quest for Quality Prize by Sept. 13.

Changes to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Hospital Price Transparency Rule took effect July 1. Going forward, hospitals are required to use a standard machine-readable file format, which includes some new data elements, such as the negotiated rate methodology and an accuracy and completeness statement.