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.
Urge Your Senators to Sign Bipartisan Letter on Star Ratings
Feb 20, 2020 ||
Members of America’s Essential Hospitals should urge senators to sign the Portman-Casey letter requesting the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services modify the star rating methodology to better account for social determinants of health and other factors outside the control of hospitals.
view more »New Name, Guidance for Coronavirus Outbreak
Feb 18, 2020 ||The new coronavirus — now officially called COVID-19 — has infected 15 people in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidance for health care providers to help with risk assessment, monitoring, and work restriction decisions.
view more »FDA Enables Emergency Use of Coronavirus Test
Feb 11, 2020 ||The new authorization allows any CDC-qualified laboratory to use the 2019-nCoV diagnostic test. Each test kit can evaluate up to 800 patient samples.
view more »HHS Warns of Cyberattacks Exploiting Coronavirus Outbreak
Feb 6, 2020 ||The agency reports that cybercriminals could send “phishing” emails purporting to include infection prevention information related to the new coronavirus (2019-nCOV) outbreak.
view more »DHS to Begin Implementing Public Charge Rule on Feb. 24
Feb 3, 2020 ||The Department of Homeland Security will evaluate applications for immigration benefits postmarked or submitted electronically on or after Feb. 24. The agency will not consider any newly added public benefit categories that the applicant received before Feb. 24.
view more »CDC Reports U.S. Coronavirus Cases, Announces Provider Call
Jan 28, 2020 ||Five cases of the coronavirus have been reported in the United States; CDC will host a Jan. 31 call for clinicians to share updated guidance about the virus.
view more »NIH Report Examines Disparities in Preventive Services
Jan 21, 2020 ||A panel convened by the National Institutes of Health culminated in an evidence report that includes 26 recommendations for improving implementation of proven services to reduce disparities in preventable conditions.
view more »States Tackle Substance Use Disorder in Pregnant Women
Nov 25, 2019 ||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.
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States Work to Meet Health Care Needs of Homeless Populations
Nov 7, 2019 ||
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.
view more »Federal Judge Vacates ACA Nondiscrimination Protections
Oct 18, 2019 ||The court struck down parts of the law that explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and termination of pregnancy.
view more »Essential Hospitals Tackle Social Barriers to Good Health for Vulnerable People
Oct 18, 2019 ||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.
view more »HHS Issues Opioid Pain Management Guidance for Clinicians
Oct 11, 2019 ||The guidance seeks to reduce the risk of substance use disorder while providing effective pain management for chronic pain patients.
view more »States Explore Funding for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment in Prisons
Oct 11, 2019 ||Improving access to medication-assisted treatment during incarceration can help prevent overdoses and deaths after release.
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Association Files Amicus Brief in DACA Case
Oct 11, 2019 ||The brief urges the United States Supreme Court to uphold prior rulings and reject the rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
view more »Rural Local Health Departments Target Social Determinants of Health
Oct 1, 2019 ||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.
view more »Urban Institute: Medicaid MAT Coverage Varies by State
Sep 16, 2019 ||States that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act saw higher prescribing rates for medication-assisted treatment than nonexpansion states.
view more » Association Asks Court to Halt Enforcement of Public Charge Rule
Sep 12, 2019 ||
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.
view more »HHS Awards States $1.8 Billion to Support Opioid Crisis Efforts
Sep 5, 2019 ||Funding will support the State Opioid Response Grant Program and a cooperative agreement to help state and local governments track overdose data.
view more » DHS Finalizes Public Charge Rule
Aug 21, 2019 ||
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.
view more »States Split on Medicaid Coverage for Transgender Health Care
Aug 13, 2019 ||Eight states prohibit Medicaid coverage for gender reassignment services, while 22 states have policies explicitly prohibiting gender-based discrimination in health care.
view more »Association Comments on Proposed Changes to ACA Nondiscrimination Protections
Aug 12, 2019 ||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.
view more »NIH Network on Opioid Addiction Treatment in Criminal Justice
Jul 29, 2019 ||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.
view more »CMS Report on Housing Supports for Individuals with Substance Use Disorder
Jul 26, 2019 ||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.
view more »FCC Proposes Telehealth Pilot Program
Jul 12, 2019 ||The $100 million pilot program aims to bring telehealth services to low-income patients, veterans, and areas lacking adequate health care.
view more »Association Comments on Proposed Federal Housing Eligibility Change
Jul 9, 2019 ||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.
view more »On the Hill: All-Hazards Preparedness Legislation Becomes Law
Jul 2, 2019 ||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.
view more »N.J. Authorizes Paramedics to Administer Buprenorphine
Jul 1, 2019 ||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.
view more »Ariz. First to Cover Ride-sharing for Medicaid Transport
Jul 1, 2019 ||The state’s policy allows ride-sharing companies to provide non-emergency transportation services for beneficiaries to attend medical appointments.
view more »Tackling Health Disparities in Medicaid Managed Care
Jun 14, 2019 ||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.
view more » HHS Proposes Changes to ACA Nondiscrimination Protections
Jun 11, 2019 ||
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.
view more »On the Hill: House Passes Preparedness Funding Bill
Jun 11, 2019 ||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.
view more » State Policy Snapshot: Social Determinants of Health
Jun 3, 2019 ||
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.
view more »New Resource: State Opioid Coprescribing Mandates
May 29, 2019 ||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.
view more »HHS Issues Nondiscrimination Proposed Rule
May 28, 2019 ||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.
view more »DHS Releases Resource on Hospital Active Shooter Incidents
May 21, 2019 ||The guidance lists warning signs for which hospital staff should be aware, recommendations for active shooter responses, and suggested protective measures.
view more »Okla. Settles Lawsuit with Major Opioid Maker
Apr 1, 2019 ||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.
view more »Report Explores State Policies to Promote Health, Control Costs
Mar 18, 2019 ||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.
view more »States Seek to Expand, Relax Vaccine Requirements
Mar 14, 2019 ||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.
view more »States Prepare for Public Health Emergencies
Feb 22, 2019 ||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.
view more »New Analysis of Opioid Overdose Trends Across States
Feb 22, 2019 ||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.
view more »CDC Maps States’ Antibiotic Resistance Efforts
Jan 22, 2019 ||The Antibiotic Resistance Investment resource page features an interactive map and downloadable fact sheets for each state and select major cities.
view more »On the Hill: House Passes PAHPA Reauthorization as Shutdown Continues
Jan 15, 2019 ||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.
view more »On the Hill: Health Care Work Continues Amid Partial Shutdown
Jan 8, 2019 ||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.
view more »HHS Issues Naloxone Guidance
Dec 21, 2018 ||The new guidance recommends that clinicians consider prescribing or co-prescribing naloxone to individuals with a high risk of opioid overdose.
view more »Judge Rejects Motion to Dismiss Opioid Lawsuits
Dec 20, 2018 ||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.
view more »Track Opportunities for Your Hospital Under New Opioid Law
Dec 17, 2018 ||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.
view more »Congress: Support Essential Hospitals
Dec 10, 2018 ||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.
view more »Association Responds to Medicare RFI on Social Risk Factors
Nov 21, 2018 ||America’s Essential Hospitals highlighted the unique role essential hospitals play in treating individuals with social risk factors.
view more »The Opioid Epidemic: Legal Challenges to Drug Manufacturers
Nov 13, 2018 ||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.
view more »Bipartisan Opioid Bill Becomes Law
Oct 30, 2018 ||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.
view more »CMS Announces Maternal Opioid Misuse Model
Oct 29, 2018 ||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.
view more » Summary of Opioid Law Provisions Relevant to Essential Hospitals
Oct 25, 2018 ||
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.
view more »On the Hill: Senate Passes Long-Awaited Opioid Package
Oct 9, 2018 ||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.
view more » Proposed Rule Would Consider Health Benefits in Immigration Decisions
Oct 4, 2018 ||
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.
view more »On the Hill: Congress Wraps Up Spending, Opioid Bills
Oct 2, 2018 ||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.
view more »DHS Proposal Would Consider Health Benefits in Immigration Decisions
Sep 25, 2018 ||The proposal differs from a previously leaked version and expands the list of public programs for consideration in a public charge determination.
view more »HHS Awards $1B to Combat Opioid Epidemic
Sep 20, 2018 ||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.
view more »HHS Responds to Hurricane Florence State of Emergency
Sep 18, 2018 ||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.
view more »On the Hill: Senate to Vote on Bipartisan Opioid Package
Sep 11, 2018 ||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.
view more »On the Hill: Kavanaugh Nomination, FY 2019 Federal Funding
Sep 4, 2018 ||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.
view more »CMS Provides Confidential Reports to Highlight Disparity Gaps
Aug 30, 2018 ||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.
view more »CMS to Fund New Child Behavioral Health Model
Aug 27, 2018 ||The Integrated Care for Kids (InCK) Model seeks to target physical and behavioral health needs through prevention, early identification, and treatment.
view more »CMS To Host Aug. 15 Forum on Opioids
Aug 6, 2018 ||The special open-door forum aims to educate prescribers on federal resources and strategies to combat the opioid epidemic.
view more »On the Hill: Opioid Package Stalled in Senate
Jul 30, 2018 ||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.
view more » Kentucky Medicaid Work Requirement Ruling: Now What?
Jul 11, 2018 ||
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.
view more »On the Hill: House Passes Opioid Package
Jun 26, 2018 ||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.
view more »CMS Releases Opioid Crisis Road Map
Jun 15, 2018 ||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.
view more »CMS Leverages Medicaid Program to Combat Opioid Crisis
Jun 12, 2018 ||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.
view more »On the Hill: House Opioid Votes Begin this Week
Jun 12, 2018 ||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.
view more »On the Hill: House Aims to Pass Opioid Package By July Fourth
Jun 4, 2018 ||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.
view more »On the Hill: Preparedness Bill Cleared for Senate Vote
May 29, 2018 ||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.
view more »On the Hill: House Opioid Vote Might Slip into June
May 15, 2018 ||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.
view more »CMS Announces First Rural Health Strategy
May 14, 2018 ||The interagency effort targets obstacles to health care, including a fragmented delivery system and lack of specialty service access, faced by many rural communities.
view more »On the Hill: Congressional Hearings on Opioids, 340B
May 7, 2018 ||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.
view more »On the Hill: Congress Marks Up Dozens of Opioid Bills
May 1, 2018 ||House and Senate lawmakers last week reviewed more than 60 opioid-related bills before heading into a week-long recess.
view more »HHS Releases Parity Action Plan
May 1, 2018 ||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.
view more »On the Hill: Congress Drafts Bipartisan Opioid Bill
Apr 23, 2018 ||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.
view more »On the Hill: Push for Opioid Bill by Memorial Day
Apr 17, 2018 ||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.
view more »On the Hill: Hearings Focus on Opioid Crisis
Apr 10, 2018 ||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.
view more »On the Hill: Congress Returns Next Week
Apr 2, 2018 ||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.
view more » Opioid Funds in, ACA Stabilization out of Spending Bill
Mar 22, 2018 ||
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.
view more »Administration Unveils Plan to Combat Opioid Crisis
Mar 20, 2018 ||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.
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