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The latest stories from AHA Today.

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission today discussed a draft recommendation that would update payments for hospital inpatient and outpatient services in 2018 as outlined under current law, that is, an estimated 1.85%. In addition, MedPAC discussed a draft recommendation that would require…
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today posted its updated version of the Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice, a standard notice that all hospitals and critical access hospitals must provide effective March 8, 2017 to all Medicare beneficiaries who receive outpatient…
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Innovation Center today announced two Beneficiary Engagement and Incentives Models that will test different approaches to shared decision making regarding treatment options.
The House of Representatives today voted 326-96 to approve a continuing resolution (H.R. 2028) that would fund federal programs until April 28 and provide $872 million in funding for the 21st Century Cures Act, among other provisions. It is uncertain whether the Senate will vote on the measure…
U.S. life expectancy at birth fell by 0.1 year in 2015, to 78.8 years, according to a report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report revises 2014 life expectancy to 78.9 from 78.8, based on updated Medicare data. According to the report, the nation’s…
The Senate today voted 94-5 to approve the AHA-supported 21st Century Cures Act (H.R. 34), which includes a number of provisions important to hospitals and health systems. The bill now goes to the president, who is expected to sign it. The legislation revises the 2015 Bipartisan Budget Act to…
The AHA and its Task Force on Ensuring Access in Vulnerable Communities today held a Capitol Hill briefing on its recently released strategies to preserve access to essential health services in vulnerable rural and urban communities. The report provides a menu of options to help hospitals…
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has removed from its website an updated Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice, which it said was posted prematurely yesterday. It expects to post the final MOON on its website very soon, after which hospitals will have 90 days to implement it.
Leaders of the Senate Finance Committee and its Chronic Care Working Group yesterday introduced bipartisan legislation (S. 3504) to improve care management, coordination and outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries with chronic conditions.
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) yesterday introduced a continuing resolution (H.R. 2028) that would fund federal programs until April 28 and provide $872 million in funding for the 21st Century Cures Act, among other provisions. The House is expected to vote on the…