America's Essential Hospitals called on CMS to provide an adequate annual payment update to cover the effects of inflation and rising workforce costs.

In the Sept. 14 letter to House and Senate leaders, members of America’s Essential Hospitals warned of the “far-reaching effects” of scheduled deep cuts to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital funding and said the cuts would “undermine America’s health care safety net.”

In its response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, America's Essential Hospitals comments on policies for telehealth services, advanced diagnostic imaging, social determinants of health, and other Physician Fee Schedule proposals.

House and Senate lawmakers are advancing proposals requiring site-neutral payments for hospital outpatient services. Now is the best time to tell your congressional delegations how these policies will affect your hospital.

We urge Congress to protect access to care for the most vulnerable communities and not enact further hospital site-neutral payment proposals, which would disproportionately and negatively impact essential hospitals.

Effective Oct. 5, the State Department’s regulations will revert to the narrower definition of public charge in a 1997 State Department rule.

FDA approves Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech's updated COVID-19 vaccines, and HHS announces $1.4 billion for Project NextGen.

The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology outlines strategies to improve patient safety and reduce health care–associated injuries.

The association supports changes to the definition and duration of short-term, limited-duration insurance and requests clarification in application notices.

In a recent letter to House leaders, America's Essential Hospitals voiced its support of a legislative proposal that would avert $16 billion in cuts to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital funding but cautioned against other onerous policies, including for site-neutral payment.

The States Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development Model focuses on chronic condition treatment and behavioral health.

CMS urges states to review their Medicaid renewal processes to ensure eligible individuals are not disenrolled erroneously through ex parte renewals at the household level.

America’s Essential Hospitals urged CMS to swiftly finalize a remedy to repay 340B hospitals for five years of Medicare Part B drug payment cuts.

Political posturing on appropriations has made a government shutdown next month increasingly likely. Congress also faces a Sept. 30 deadline for other key issues, including stopping an $8 billion cut to Medicaid DSH funding.

In its response to a House panel's request for feedback on a discussion draft on ways to address national drug shortages, America's Essential Hospitals said shortages disproportionately harm essential hospitals, and it refuted claims the 340B Drug Pricing Program contributes to the problem.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is exploring a new model to promote health equity, with the goal of enhancing access to patient-centered care for underserved groups and including them in value-based care systems.

HHS will host the Aug. 24 webinar to gather input from a variety of health care stakeholders on hospital preparedness before, during, and after emergencies.

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline has provided support to nearly 13,400 people in its first year.

With a federal government shutdown looming, Congress likely will be consumed with passing fiscal year 2024 appropriations or a continuing resolution for stopgap funding when lawmakers return to Washington, D.C., in September.

Unless Congress acts, a devastating, $8 billion cut to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) funding will occur Oct. 1. Help us stop this cut by adding your essential hospital to a sign-on letter urging congressional leaders to act quickly.

The administrative fee returns from $350 to $50 after an Aug. 3 court decision, but the independent dispute resolution portal remains closed to new disputes.

HHS announced the formation of the Office of Long COVID Research and Practice to lead the long COVID response as EG.5 subvariant cases increase.

The funding supports a program to help licensed practical nurses become registered nurses, the Nurse Faculty Loan Program, and other nurse training programs.

The National Action Alliance to Advance Patient Safety webinar, on Aug. 22, will highlight how leadership engagement can foster a culture of safety.

Congress must act by Sept. 30 to avert a government shutdown and stop an $8 billion cut to disproportionate share hospital payments. Deadlines also loom for a sweeping pandemic preparedness bill and opioid use disorder treatment services.

CMS has developed a three-step guide for state Medicaid programs to develop a claiming methodology for the differential match rate.

The letters review the state's May 2023 Medicaid unwinding metrics and compliance with federal requirements in three categories.

The toolkit aims to help states increase postpartum care access, quality, and equity by maximizing existing Medicaid authorities.

The Aug. 1 final rule includes numerous policy and payment changes, including a 3.1 percent increase to inpatient payment rates, changes to the Medicare disproportionate share hospital payment calculation, and revised graduate medical education policies.

While lawmakers are home during August recess, we encourage you to invite your congressional delegation to visit your hospital and urge them to support essential hospital priorities.