Regulatory Relief

The regulatory burden faced by hospitals is substantial and unsustainable.

Every day, hospitals, health systems and post-acute care providers confront the daunting task of complying with a growing number of federal regulations. They are constantly challenged to understand and implement new or revised regulations, while maintaining their core mission of providing high-quality patient care.

Providers appreciate that federal regulation is intended to ensure that health care patients receive safe, high-quality care, and prioritize it as a critical part of their day-to-day work.

But the scope and pace of the changes being made is out-stripping many providers’ ability to absorb them. At the same time, many of these regulations do not improve the quality of patient care or access to services.

Providers need relief now. Read on for more information and resources on the AHA's regulatory relief agenda.

The Federal Communication Commission should update its Rural Health Care Program to meet the growing demand for broadband telehealth services, the AHA said in comments submitted today. Specifically, AHA recommends the program increase the Healthcare Connect Fund and HCF discount percentage; reduce…
Hospitals and health systems are drowning in a sea of rules and regulations, but the prospects for immediate relief are uncertain, according to an expert panel yesterday at the AHA Annual Membership Meeting. AHA board member Michelle Hood, president and CEO of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems and…
Press Release AHA Statement on IPPS Proposed Rule Tom Nickels AHA Executive Vice President
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today issued a final rule designed to help stabilize the Health Insurance Marketplaces. The rule finalizes changes related to special enrollment periods; guaranteed issue; actuarial value; network adequacy; and open enrollment periods.
AHA letter to Rep. Bob Goodlatte expressing support for H.R. 659, the Standard Merger and Acquisition Reviews Through Equal Rules Act of 2017, also known as the SMARTER Act.
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission yesterday discussed a package of draft recommendations to reduce the rapid growth in Part B drug spending. The proposals would require all Part B drug manufacturers to submit Average Sales Price data; reduce Wholesale Acquisition Cost-based payment to WAC…