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Public Health and Equity

Socioeconomic factors — income, education, language, food insecurity, and many others — can play a large role in health and health care outcomes, especially for vulnerable people and disadvantaged communities. These factors, in fact, often present obstacles to successful health care outcomes and can widen health disparities.

Essential hospitals stand on the front lines of care for patients who experience these disparities. Equitable access to health services is vital to achieving the Triple Aim of better care, lower costs, and improved health for both vulnerable people and the community at large.

America’s Essential Hospitals is committed to helping hospitals combat disparities by promoting policies, programs, and practices that drive hospital and community solutions that improve health outcomes and health care equity for disadvantaged patients. As a founding member of the National Call to Action to Eliminate Health Care Disparities, America’s Essential Hospitals asks all hospital and health system leaders to accelerate progress toward increasing the collection and use of race, ethnicity, language preference, and other sociodemographic data; cultural competency training; and diversity in leadership and governance.

America’s Essential Hospitals makes equitable care a centerpiece of its advocacy and policy agenda and a common thread through its positions on issues that affect essential hospitals and their patients.

State Action

States Tackle Substance Use Disorder in Pregnant Women

Nov 25, 2019 || Rachel Schwartz

States are leveraging financial incentives, quality measures, waivers, and public-private partnerships to slow climbing rates of substance use disorder and overdose among pregnant women.

State Policy Brief

States Work to Meet Health Care Needs of Homeless Populations

Nov 7, 2019 || Staff

In a new state policy brief, America’s Essential Hospitals examines the unique health care risks homeless individuals face, states leading the way to create long-term solutions, and the role essential hospitals play in providing care to homeless populations.

Newsline

Federal Judge Vacates ACA Nondiscrimination Protections

Oct 18, 2019 || Rachel Schwartz

The court struck down parts of the law that explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and termination of pregnancy.

Our Positions

Essential Hospitals Tackle Social Barriers to Good Health for Vulnerable People

Oct 18, 2019 || Staff

Essential hospitals tackle social determinants of health while operating with limited means. Congress must act to preserve the federal support essential hospitals rely on to fulfill their mission of care for all and keep communities healthy.

Newsline

HHS Issues Opioid Pain Management Guidance for Clinicians

Oct 11, 2019 || Zina Gontscharow

The guidance seeks to reduce the risk of substance use disorder while providing effective pain management for chronic pain patients.

State Action

States Explore Funding for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment in Prisons

Oct 11, 2019 || Kelcie Jimenez

Improving access to medication-assisted treatment during incarceration can help prevent overdoses and deaths after release.

Association Files Amicus Brief in DACA Case

Oct 11, 2019 || Rachel Schwartz

The brief urges the United States Supreme Court to uphold prior rulings and reject the rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

State Action

Rural Local Health Departments Target Social Determinants of Health

Oct 1, 2019 || Kelcie Jimenez

A new report from the National Association of County and City Health Officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explores how rural local health departments mitigate social determinants of health.

State Action

Urban Institute: Medicaid MAT Coverage Varies by State

Sep 16, 2019 || Rachel Schwartz

States that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act saw higher prescribing rates for medication-assisted treatment than nonexpansion states.

Action Updates

Association Asks Court to Halt Enforcement of Public Charge Rule

Sep 12, 2019 || Staff

An amicus brief filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California by America’s Essential Hospitals and five other national hospital associations highlights how the Department of Homeland Security public charge final rule would harm hospitals and patients.

Newsline

HHS Awards States $1.8 Billion to Support Opioid Crisis Efforts

Sep 5, 2019 || Zina Gontscharow

Funding will support the State Opioid Response Grant Program and a cooperative agreement to help state and local governments track overdose data.

Action Updates

DHS Finalizes Public Charge Rule

Aug 21, 2019 || Staff

The Department of Homeland Security finalized a proposed rule that expands the definition of “public charge” in immigration application determinations to include additional types of public benefits and new immigration applicant categories.

State Action

States Split on Medicaid Coverage for Transgender Health Care

Aug 13, 2019 || Kelcie Jimenez

Eight states prohibit Medicaid coverage for gender reassignment services, while 22 states have policies explicitly prohibiting gender-based discrimination in health care.

Newsline

Association Comments on Proposed Changes to ACA Nondiscrimination Protections

Aug 12, 2019 || Rachel Schwartz

America’s Essential Hospitals expressed concern that changes to nondiscrimination protections will decrease access and worsen outcomes for transgender individuals and individuals with limited English proficiency.

Newsline

NIH Network on Opioid Addiction Treatment in Criminal Justice

Jul 29, 2019 || Emily Schweich

Three essential hospitals will join the National Institutes of Health’s Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network to research quality addiction treatment for opioid use disorder in jails, drug courts, and other criminal justice settings.

Newsline

CMS Report on Housing Supports for Individuals with Substance Use Disorder

Jul 26, 2019 || Zina Gontscharow

A Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services report to Congress details an action plan to assist states in providing housing-related support for Medicaid beneficiaries with substance use disorders.

Newsline

FCC Proposes Telehealth Pilot Program

Jul 12, 2019 || Rachel Schwartz

The $100 million pilot program aims to bring telehealth services to low-income patients, veterans, and areas lacking adequate health care.

Newsline

Association Comments on Proposed Federal Housing Eligibility Change

Jul 9, 2019 || Rachel Schwartz

In a July 9 letter to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, America’s Essential Hospitals expressed concern that changes to federal housing assistance eligibility requirements could increase housing instability and worsen health outcomes.

On the Hill

On the Hill: All-Hazards Preparedness Legislation Becomes Law

Jul 2, 2019 || Erin Delaney

Also last week, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions advanced the bipartisan Lower Health Care Costs Act and the House Committee on Ways and Means marked up five Medicare-focused bills.

State Action

N.J. Authorizes Paramedics to Administer Buprenorphine

Jul 1, 2019 || Kelcie Jimenez

In an unprecedented approach, the state health commissioner authorized paramedics to administer the drug, which is used to treat opioid addiction, directly after reviving patients from an opioid overdose using an antidote.

State Action

Ariz. First to Cover Ride-sharing for Medicaid Transport

Jul 1, 2019 || Kelcie Jimenez

The state’s policy allows ride-sharing companies to provide non-emergency transportation services for beneficiaries to attend medical appointments.

State Action

Tackling Health Disparities in Medicaid Managed Care

Jun 14, 2019 || Kelcie Jimenez

A recent issue brief profiles states that use data to identify and reduce health disparities in Medicaid managed care programs and offers a step-by-step strategy for states interested in similar initiatives.

Action Updates

HHS Proposes Changes to ACA Nondiscrimination Protections

Jun 11, 2019 || Staff

A proposed rule from the Department of Health and Human Services would overhaul parts of Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, removing some nondiscrimination protections for transgender individuals and requirements for covered entities treating people with limited English proficiency.

On the Hill

On the Hill: House Passes Preparedness Funding Bill

Jun 11, 2019 || Erin Delaney

The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovations Act would provide $385 million annually for the Hospital Preparedness Program. Congress stacks its agenda ahead of the July Fourth recess, focusing on health care funding, surprise billing, single-payer proposals, and drug pricing.

State Action

State Policy Snapshot: Social Determinants of Health

Jun 3, 2019 || Staff

This new State Policy Snapshot summarizes the various ways states target social determinants of health, such as food insecurity and housing, to reduce avoidable costs and improve outcomes for people with medical and social needs.

State Action

New Resource: State Opioid Coprescribing Mandates

May 29, 2019 || Staff

Our updated State Action opioid resource page summarizes recent state policy approaches to prevent opioid overdose and the status of related state laws and regulations.

Newsline

HHS Issues Nondiscrimination Proposed Rule

May 28, 2019 || Rachel Schwartz

The rule would eliminate protection from discrimination in health care settings based on gender identity and roll back requirements to notify individuals with limited English proficiency of antidiscrimination policies and access to translation services.

Newsline

DHS Releases Resource on Hospital Active Shooter Incidents

May 21, 2019 || Rachel Schwartz

The guidance lists warning signs for which hospital staff should be aware, recommendations for active shooter responses, and suggested protective measures.

State Action

Okla. Settles Lawsuit with Major Opioid Maker

Apr 1, 2019 || Kelcie Jimenez

Oklahoma claims that Purdue Pharma and two other pharmaceutical companies understated the benefits and risks of prescription opioids; Purdue has agreed to pay $270 million to settle its part in the lawsuit.

State Action

Report Explores State Policies to Promote Health, Control Costs

Mar 18, 2019 || Kelcie Jimenez

A new Trust for America’s Health report spotlights 13 evidence-based policies state officials can use to promote health and well-being and lower health care costs.

State Action

States Seek to Expand, Relax Vaccine Requirements

Mar 14, 2019 || Kelcie Jimenez

Despite a recent measles outbreak across the U.S., legislators in New York, Texas, and other states are considering bills to relax vaccine requirements. Meanwhile, Washington state is working to remove its “personal belief” exemption for the combined measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.

State Action

States Prepare for Public Health Emergencies

Feb 22, 2019 || Kelcie Jimenez

A new report finds that nearly 90 percent of hospitals, on average, within each state are part of a coalition to work with emergency management and public health officials to ensure emergency preparedness in their communities.

State Action

New Analysis of Opioid Overdose Trends Across States

Feb 22, 2019 || Kelcie Jimenez

A new analysis finds that the evolving drug overdose crisis has wide, varying effects across states and that there has been an uptick in non-opioid illicit drug overdoses.

State Action

CDC Maps States’ Antibiotic Resistance Efforts

Jan 22, 2019 || Kelcie Jimenez

The Antibiotic Resistance Investment resource page features an interactive map and downloadable fact sheets for each state and select major cities.

On the Hill

On the Hill: House Passes PAHPA Reauthorization as Shutdown Continues

Jan 15, 2019 || Erin Delaney

As the partial government shutdown enters its fourth week, the House has passed a bill to reauthorize the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act, which includes $385 million in annual funding for the Hospital Preparedness Program.

On the Hill

On the Hill: Health Care Work Continues Amid Partial Shutdown

Jan 8, 2019 || Erin Delaney

As the partial government shutdown continues, the House this week will consider the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovations Act and a bill to extend funding for the “Money Follows the Person” demonstration program.

Newsline

HHS Issues Naloxone Guidance

Dec 21, 2018 || Rachel Schwartz

The new guidance recommends that clinicians consider prescribing or co-prescribing naloxone to individuals with a high risk of opioid overdose.

State Action

Judge Rejects Motion to Dismiss Opioid Lawsuits

Dec 20, 2018 || Kelcie Jimenez

Judge Dan Polster of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio rejected opioid companies’ motion to dismiss hundreds of state and local lawsuits against them, ordering litigation to proceed and for the parties to discuss a potential settlement.

Newsline

Track Opportunities for Your Hospital Under New Opioid Law

Dec 17, 2018 || Jocelyn Wiles

A new association tracker lists grants and demonstration projects available under H.R. 6, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, that will be available to essential hospitals.

Our Positions

Congress: Support Essential Hospitals

Dec 10, 2018 || Staff

Recent policy changes have drained vital funding and threaten a financial crisis at essential hospitals. Without action by Congress, communities nationwide will lose access to care and vital support services.

Newsline

Association Responds to Medicare RFI on Social Risk Factors

Nov 21, 2018 || Rachel Schwartz

America’s Essential Hospitals highlighted the unique role essential hospitals play in treating individuals with social risk factors.

Policy Briefs

The Opioid Epidemic: Legal Challenges to Drug Manufacturers

Nov 13, 2018 || Staff

America’s Essential Hospitals examines the multitude of lawsuits local, state, and federal governments are pursuing against opioid manufacturers and distributors for their role in the opioid crisis.

Newsline

Bipartisan Opioid Bill Becomes Law

Oct 30, 2018 || Erin Delaney

President Trump signed long-awaited bipartisan legislation to combat the opioid epidemic; the law does not align confidentiality regulations for substance use disorder treatment records with HIPAA privacy standards.

Newsline

CMS Announces Maternal Opioid Misuse Model

Oct 29, 2018 || Rachel Schwartz

The Maternal Opioid Misuse model will last five years and support the integration of clinical care with other services critical for health, well-being, and recovery for pregnant and postpartum Medicaid beneficiaries.

Action Updates

Summary of Opioid Law Provisions Relevant to Essential Hospitals

Oct 25, 2018 || Staff

The new law, which represents the federal government’s first comprehensive policy response to the nation’s opioid crisis, aims to advance treatment and recovery initiatives, improve prevention, protect communities, and bolster efforts to fight deadly illicit synthetic drugs.

On the Hill

On the Hill: Senate Passes Long-Awaited Opioid Package

Oct 9, 2018 || Erin Delaney

As midterm elections loom, Congress sent to the president the federal government’s first comprehensive policy response to the nation’s opioid crisis; a bipartisan House letter questions outpatient payment cuts; and New Hampshire senators introduced surprise billing legislation.

Action Updates

Proposed Rule Would Consider Health Benefits in Immigration Decisions

Oct 4, 2018 || Staff

America’s Essential Hospitals is closely reviewing the proposed rule from the Department of Homeland Security and evaluating its potential impact on our members. We encourage all members to review the provisions of the proposed rule, provide us feedback, and submit your own comments to the agency.

On the Hill

On the Hill: Congress Wraps Up Spending, Opioid Bills

Oct 2, 2018 || Erin Delaney

Before recessing to campaign for midterm elections, the House wrapped up work on bills to fund several federal agencies, combat the opioid crisis, and fund the Hospital Preparedness Program.

Newsline

DHS Proposal Would Consider Health Benefits in Immigration Decisions

Sep 25, 2018 || Rachel Schwartz

The proposal differs from a previously leaked version and expands the list of public programs for consideration in a public charge determination.

Newsline

HHS Awards $1B to Combat Opioid Epidemic

Sep 20, 2018 || Zina Gontscharow

This funding supports initiatives under the agency’s Five-Point Opioid Strategy and was distributed in conjunction with Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week.

Newsline

HHS Responds to Hurricane Florence State of Emergency

Sep 18, 2018 || Emily Schweich

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services waived program requirements in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina; the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention issued guidance for treating carbon monoxide poisoning in hurricane victims.

On the Hill

On the Hill: Senate to Vote on Bipartisan Opioid Package

Sep 11, 2018 || Erin Delaney

The Senate is expected to vote this week on a bipartisan legislative package to combat the opioid crisis. The House considers legislation to roll back Affordable Care Act provisions.

On the Hill

On the Hill: Kavanaugh Nomination, FY 2019 Federal Funding

Sep 4, 2018 || Erin Delaney

Before starting the final campaign stretch, Congress returns to Washington to consider Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination and to fund the federal government for the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1.

Newsline

CMS Provides Confidential Reports to Highlight Disparity Gaps

Aug 30, 2018 || Maryellen Guinan

The hospital-specific reports, available for download through Sept. 24, use dual eligibility as the social risk factor for stratification of readmission rates within a hospital and enable comparison of differences across hospitals.

Newsline

CMS to Fund New Child Behavioral Health Model

Aug 27, 2018 || Rachel Schwartz

The Integrated Care for Kids (InCK) Model seeks to target physical and behavioral health needs through prevention, early identification, and treatment.

Newsline

CMS To Host Aug. 15 Forum on Opioids

Aug 6, 2018 || Rachel Schwartz

The special open-door forum aims to educate prescribers on federal resources and strategies to combat the opioid epidemic.

Newsline

On the Hill: Opioid Package Stalled in Senate

Jul 30, 2018 || Erin Delaney

Senate action on opioid legislation has been delayed by the debate over the Supreme Court nomination and what to include in the final package; Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said senators likely will consider opioid legislation after the August recess.

Action Updates

Kentucky Medicaid Work Requirement Ruling: Now What?

Jul 11, 2018 || Staff

What comes next after the June 29 court ruling that vacated the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services approval of a Section 1115 waiver that allowed Kentucky to impose community engagement and work requirements on Medicaid beneficiaries.

On the Hill

On the Hill: House Passes Opioid Package

Jun 26, 2018 || Erin Delaney

The legislation, containing more than 50 bills to combat the opioid crisis, now heads to the Senate; it is unclear whether senators will pass the package or consider their own legislation.

Newsline

CMS Releases Opioid Crisis Road Map

Jun 15, 2018 || Rachel Schwartz

A blog post and road map highlight the agency’s approach to the crisis, including prevention of new opioid use disorder cases and use of data to target prevention and treatment.

Newsline

CMS Leverages Medicaid Program to Combat Opioid Crisis

Jun 12, 2018 || Rachel Schwartz

An informational bulletin outlines the role of Medicaid in the care of infants born with neonatal abstinence syndrome, while a letter to state Medicaid directors offers guidance on funding Medicaid technology to combat the opioid crisis.

On the Hill

On the Hill: House Opioid Votes Begin this Week

Jun 12, 2018 || Erin Delaney

The House aims to complete voting by the July Fourth recess, but Senate work on opioid legislation likely will continue into August amid a shortened recess.

On the Hill

On the Hill: House Aims to Pass Opioid Package By July Fourth

Jun 4, 2018 || Erin Delaney

Lawmakers previously aimed to pass an opioid package by Memorial Day; Committee hearings focus on the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the president’s blueprint to lower drug prices.

On the Hill

On the Hill: Preparedness Bill Cleared for Senate Vote

May 29, 2018 || Erin Delaney

The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act, which includes $385 million annually for the Hospital Preparedness Program, has been cleared for consideration on the Senate floor; Congress aims to vote on opioid package before the July Fourth recess.

On the Hill

On the Hill: House Opioid Vote Might Slip into June

May 15, 2018 || Erin Delaney

House leadership remains focused on passing a bipartisan opioid-related legislative package by Memorial Day, but recently indicated a June vote might be more likely.

Newsline

CMS Announces First Rural Health Strategy

May 14, 2018 || Rachel Schwartz

The interagency effort targets obstacles to health care, including a fragmented delivery system and lack of specialty service access, faced by many rural communities.

On the Hill

On the Hill: Congressional Hearings on Opioids, 340B

May 7, 2018 || Erin Delaney

Four House hearings this week examine the opioid crisis, as lawmakers work to craft bipartisan legislation; A Senate hearing focuses on oversight reports on the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

On the Hill

On the Hill: Congress Marks Up Dozens of Opioid Bills

May 1, 2018 || Erin Delaney

House and Senate lawmakers last week reviewed more than 60 opioid-related bills before heading into a week-long recess.

Newsline

HHS Releases Parity Action Plan

May 1, 2018 || Rachel Schwartz

The plan is required by the 21st Century Cures Act and is meant to improve federal and state coordination around the enforcement of parity laws.

On the Hill

On the Hill: Congress Drafts Bipartisan Opioid Bill

Apr 23, 2018 || Erin Delaney

House and Senate committees this week will mark up legislation to combat the opioid epidemic with the hope of passing a bipartisan bill by Memorial Day.

On the Hill

On the Hill: Push for Opioid Bill by Memorial Day

Apr 17, 2018 || Erin Delaney

Senate and House panels hold hearings on opioid and substance use disorder treatment among Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and how distributors might contribute to the crisis.

On the Hill

On the Hill: Hearings Focus on Opioid Crisis

Apr 10, 2018 || Erin Delaney

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce will hold hearings this week on measures to combat the opioid epidemic.

On the Hill

On the Hill: Congress Returns Next Week

Apr 2, 2018 || Erin Delaney

When Congress returns next week, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce will consider more than a dozen bills during its third and final hearing on the opioid crisis.

Action Updates

Opioid Funds in, ACA Stabilization out of Spending Bill

Mar 22, 2018 || Staff

The House of Representatives approved a $1.3 trillion fiscal year 2018 omnibus spending bill that includes nearly $4 billion to combat the opioid crisis and increased funding for the National Institutes of Health.

Newsline

Administration Unveils Plan to Combat Opioid Crisis

Mar 20, 2018 || Zina Gontscharow

The three-pronged approach aims to reduce drug demand, cut off the flow of illicit drugs domestically and internationally, and expand opportunities for proven addiction treatments.

Newsline

HHS Renews Public Health Emergency Declaration on Opioids

Jan 26, 2018 || Rachel Schwartz

The designation allows federal health agencies to allocate resources and hire specialists to combat the opioid crisis. The original declaration was set to expire on Jan. 23.

About America’s Essential Hospitals

America’s Essential Hospitals is the leading association and champion for hospitals and health systems dedicated to high-quality care for all, including the most vulnerable. Since 1981, America’s Essential Hospitals has initiated, advanced, and preserved programs and policies that help these hospitals ensure access to care. We support members with advocacy, policy development, research, and education.