News

The Drug Enforcement Administration yesterday published a proposed rule implementing provisions of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery Treatment for Patients and Communities Act that require the agency to limit production quotas for five opioid substances vulnerable to diversion for illicit distribution and use.

Medicaid policies to manage and control medication-assisted treatment vary widely by state, according to a report to Congress by the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission.

The Health Resources and Services Administration yesterday awarded $319 million in fiscal year 2019 funding to support scholarship and loan repayment for medical, dental and behavioral health clinicians and students who serve in underserved rural, urban and tribal communities through the National Health Service Corps.

The House Ways and Means Committee last night voted 24-17 to approve a revised version of the Lower Prescription Drug Costs Now Act.

The Federal Trade Commission has ordered two health systems and five health insurance companies to provide data for a study on the effects of certificates of public advantage on health care prices, quality, access and innovation; and the impact of hospital consolidation on employee wages.

Unless overturned, a recent Court of Appeals decision in a False Claims Act case “may force hospitals to adopt fundamental changes to their compensation practices at significant cost and loss of productivity.”

Between one-third and one-half of U.S. clinicians experience burnout and addressing the epidemic requires systemic changes by health care organizations, educational institutions and all levels of government.

Improving healthy equity can provide “tremendous value” to patients, communities, hospitals and the health care delivery system in the United States.

A coalition of 15 health care organizations, including the AHA, today voiced support for the Rural ACO Improvement Act (S. 2648), legislation that would revise the benchmarking formula for the Medicare Shared Savings Program to ensure participating accountable care organizations have an equal opportunity to share in savings regardless of their geographic location.

The Republican Study Committee today announced a proposed alternative to the Affordable Care Act and Democratic proposals for a government-run health care system.

The Medicare for America Act could force one-third of American workers off employer-sponsored health insurance, according to a study by KNG Health Consulting prepared for the Partnership for America’s Health Care Future.

The average premium for a benchmark plan at HealthCare.gov will decline 4% in 2020 to $388, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced today.

Arizona has decided to postpone implementing a requirement that certain adults work or participate in training or community service an average 80 hours per month to continue qualifying for Medicaid.

A federal judge today reaffirmed her previous order to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to vacate cuts to Medicare payments for hospital outpatient services provided in off-campus provider-based departments grandfathered under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 that were included as part of the agency’s outpatient prospective payment system final rule for calendar year 2019.

AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson today announced a $215 million settlement with two Ohio counties that claimed their practices contributed to the opioid epidemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Friday released an update to its 1998 guidelines to prevent and control infection in the health care workplace, including special considerations associated with emergency response personnel and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services last week announced changes to the State Performance Standards System for state survey agencies to ensure that nursing home inspections are timely and accurate.

As we seek innovative ways to improve the health of our communities, it is more important than ever for hospitals and health systems to partner with others.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee last night approved a revised version of the Lower Prescription Drug Costs Now Act.

The AHA today urged Senate appropriators to support federal funding for research and education to reduce violence in communities.