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The latest stories from AHA Today.
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission this week discussed draft recommendations that would provide no market basket update in 2017 for home health agencies, skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation facilities or long-term care hospitals. In addition, the recommendations would rebase…
The departments of Health and Human Services and the Treasury today issued guidance explaining how they will evaluate applications for State Innovation Waivers under Section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act, which allows states to receive federal funding to implement alternative models of…
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology today published a notice correcting technical errors in its Oct. 16 final rule for the 2015 Edition HIT certification criteria. The notice also clarifies requirements for the exchange of the Common Clinical Data Set in…
The House of Representatives today approved by voice vote a continuing resolution funding the federal government through Wednesday, giving congressional leaders more time to negotiate an omnibus spending package. The Senate approved the measure yesterday. President Obama is expected to sign the…
Hospital representatives are invited to learn more about recent policy activity impacting the Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor program and review results from the AHA's latest RACTrac survey during a webinar on Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. ET. The free web-based survey helps AHA gauge the impact…
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission today discussed a draft recommendation that would update payments for hospital inpatient and outpatient services in 2017 as outlined under current law, that is, an estimated 1.65%. In addition, MedPAC discussed a draft recommendation that would reduce Part B…
As congressional leaders continue to negotiate an omnibus spending package, the Senate today approved by voice vote a continuing resolution that keeps the federal government funded through Dec. 16. The House is expected to approve the measure tomorrow, which is when funding for the government is…
U.S. mortality rates fell 2.3% for infants and 1% for the overall population in 2014, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The infant mortality rate, considered a good indicator of the overall health of a population, fell to a record low 582.1 deaths per…
The uninsured rate declined in 42 states in 2014, and adults in 21 states were less likely to go without care due to cost, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Fund. The share of low-income adults who were uninsured dropped at least three percentage points in every state except…
AHA is preparing to launch its fifth Schedule H Project to help the association advocate for needed improvements to the form and support hospitals’ commitment to providing community benefits. Tax-exempt hospitals will be encouraged to submit a copy of their 2013 (and 2014, if available)…