News

The Food and Drug Administration, in its first enforcement operation with the government of India, recently stopped about 500 shipments of unapproved prescription drugs and combination medical devices from reaching U.S. consumers, the agency announced.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Medicaid fiscal accountability proposed rule and recent block grant guidance “could have fiscal and credit repercussions” for states and health care providers, especially nonprofit providers with “higher Medicaid exposure,” according to a recent commentary by Fitch Ratings.

The number of Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized with sepsis increased 40% between 2012 and 2018, according to a study by Department of Health and Human Services researchers.

Five public health labs already conducting influenza surveillance in the U.S. will test specimens for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) if they test negative for influenza, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit affirmed a district court decision that blocked Medicaid work requirements in Arkansas. 

AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack discusses the current state of surprise medical billing legislation and the challenges that remain ahead before any proposals are finalized.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed two new U.S. cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total to 15.

The AHA’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity encourages all hospitals to complete its 2019 Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Survey by the extended deadline of Feb. 14.

Hospitals and health systems can apply to participate in the Million Hearts Hospitals & Health Systems Recognition Program, which will recognize organizations working to improve cardiovascular health in their communities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced.

An estimated 14.2% of U.S. residents said they or a family member had problems paying medical bills in 2018, down from 19.7% in 2011, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The AHA has launched its 2020 Innovation Challenge – a leading competition to accelerate health care innovation. This year’s challenge asks AHA members and their partners to help make behavioral health care more accessible and affordable.

The AARP’s Livability Index acts as a useful tool for health care organizations and communities working on innovative, place-based solutions that improve health outcomes for all, writes Shannon Guzman, senior strategic policy advisor at the AARP Public Policy Institute.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said new reagents will be manufactured and sent to state laboratories that reported inconclusive results using the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) test kit sent by CDC.

The AHA invites rural hospitals and health systems to participate in the Better Maternal Outcomes Rapid Improvement Network — a free, six-month program focused on maternal outcomes and respectful care.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Office of Minority Health seeks public input through April 12 on opportunities to improve health care access, quality and outcomes before, during and after pregnancy for women and infants in rural communities.

The House Ways and Means Committee favorably reported out, as amended, the Consumer Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills Act (H.R. 5826), AHA-supported legislation to address surprise medical bills. 

The Minnesota Hospital Association named as its president and CEO Rahul Koranne, M.D., who has served as senior vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer for the association since 2015.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit will hear oral arguments April 17 in the Department of Health and Human Services’ appeal of a district court ruling in favor of the AHA and hospital organizations that found the agency could not reduce calendar year 2019 payments for hospital outpatient services provided in grandfathered off-campus provider-based departments.

The House Education and Labor Committee voted 32-13 to report out an amended version of the Ban Surprise Billing Act (H.R. 5800), legislation to address surprise medical bills. The bill relies on a median in-network rate to resolve out-of-network payments.

As hospitals and health systems raise concerns over possible shortages of personal protective equipment, including respirators, the CDC continues to update its guidance and provide strategies that health care providers can use during the novel coronavirus outbreak now and in the event of a shortage of N95 respirators.