The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act seeks to close gaps in current gun safety laws and bolster mental health care, including through new support for hospitals and other providers.

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education introduced two rural track program designations to accredited residency programs and seeks members for an advisory group on health care access for medically underserved areas and populations.

The association made recommendations on payment rates, workforce development, eligibility and enrollment policies, and measuring access to hospital services.

The interpretive guidance includes information on hospital admission, discharge, and transfer notification requirements outlined in CMS' May 2020 interoperability and patient access final rule.

President Biden released an executive order to strengthen Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. The order calls for a special enrollment period on the federally facilitated exchange for uninsured or underinsured individuals — particularly those hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

America's Essential Hospitals warns the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that its proposal will weaken federal oversight of Medicaid payment rates and undermine beneficiary access to care.

The agency proposes to rescind the requirement due to states' concerns regarding undue administrative burden.

In a letter to the Office of Management and Budget, America’s Essential Hospitals expressed concern that changes to the consumer inflation index would negatively impact vulnerable populations’ access to Medicaid coverage.

America's Essential Hospitals praised the administration’s efforts to streamline managed care regulations for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program, reduce regulatory burden, and increase state flexibility.

The guidance allows states additional flexibility to waive certain provisions of the Affordable Care Act while preserving access to affordable, comprehensive coverage.

To ensure Medicaid beneficiaries' access to quality care, America's Essential Hospitals urges CMS not to issue access monitoring review exemptions to states with high managed care penetration.

The proposed rule would exempt states with high Medicaid managed care penetration from Medicaid access to care guidelines; 17 states currently meet the proposal's exemption requirements. America’s Essential Hospitals is analyzing the proposed rule and will provide written comment to CMS.

The guidance specifies rate reductions in Medicaid fee-for-service that will not require access reviews by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Expanded Medicaid access under the Affordable Care Act might have helped patients seek treatment for behavioral health issues, which disproportionately affect low-income populations.

Under the rule, OIG provides safe harbor protections for hospital agreements that provide no-cost or discounted local transportation to established patients

These long-term HCBS services and supports are critical to ensure people can remain in their homes and communities as they receive treatment.

The summaries outline efforts by 19 working groups under the "Vital Directions" initiative to improve health care in the United States.

Failure to follow the public notice and process for Medicaid payment changes can result in delay or disapproval of state plan amendments.

A review of 61 studies found that expansion under the ACA has improved health coverage, access to care, and economic outcomes.

The Comprehensive Primary Care Plus model will encourage primary care practices to transform care delivery, including by increasing care management and coordination.

Results of America's Essential Hospitals member survey show new landscape of foundation support for essential hospitals and fundraising challenges in the post-Affordable Care Act world.

Telehealth Network Grant Program will award up to 20 grants for a maximum of $300,000 annually to expand services; applications are due April 8.

New members include six who will serve three-year terms and one who will serve the remaining two years of a vacant seat; GW health policy expert Sara Rosenbaum was named chair.

Congress debates omnibus appropriations measure, considers another stop-gap funding bill, as deadline for government shutdown looms.

National HIV/AIDS Strategy Federal Action Plan directs HHS to issue best practices for hospitals to ensure access to services for patients with HIV. CMS also will provide states with information on program flexibility to ensure access to testing, coordinated care.

Six justices ruled in favor of the Obama administration, arguing that the overall structure and purpose of the ACA supports the interpretation that Congress intended subsidies to be available in both federally facilitated and state-based marketplaces.

These leaders from Henry Ford Health System and UCSF Medical Center are among five reappointed commissioners, one new commissioner, and new Chair Francis “Jay” Crosson, announced by GAO.

In an April 28 letter, the association urged CMS to adopt a holistic view of how payment mechanisms impact essential hospitals, including sustainable base payment rates, Medicaid waivers to address uncompensated care, and DSRIP waivers.

The six new members will serve three-year appointments, effective Jan. 1.

America’s Essential Hospitals urged MACPAC to support a four-year CHIP funding extension and during that time, evaluate the marketplaces' network adequacy, affordability, and covered benefits.

The commission seeks input on which groups of children would be most affected if CHIP expires and potential policy options through the marketplaces.

The association advocates for a modification of the direct pay prohibition to allow states to pursue public policy goals while implementing Medicaid Managed Care

OIG finds state standards for access to care for Medicaid managed care beneficiaries vary widely. OIG recommends stronger CMS oversight and more state accountability.

America's Essential Hospitals asks CMS to finalize a 2011 proposed rule on equal access, with modifications to address the link between provider reimbursement and access.

The report summarizes a Roundtable on Health Literacy workshop that featured initiatives public health organizations are undertaking to increase health literacy and the implications of health literacy on public health.

Florida, New York, and Wisconsin consider options to allow hospitals to subsidize insurance premiums for individuals. Financial assistance would increase opportunities for coverage and continuous, coordinated care.

A recent study published in Health Affairs found that California essential hospitals were more likely to be penalized than other California hospitals under the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program, despite lower 30-day risk-adjusted mortality rates.

Letters of nomination and resumes are currently being accepted for six MACPAC seats. Appointments will be effective Jan. 1, 2015. Nominations can be submitted through Sept. 5.

The association filed an amicus brief supporting the reversal of the District Court’s ruling to dissolve the affiliation between St. Luke’s Health System and Saltzer Medical Group. The association supports the integration of essential hospitals and providers to improve access to high-quality, cost-effective care for all patients.

The Labor/HHS appropriations bill vote was cancelled due to Republican threats to derail the process over ACA funding. House Majority Leader Cantor's loss has House Republicans vying for his seat. MedPAC shares its biannual report to Congress on Wednesday.

Congress should ensure Medicaid pays at least Medicare rates for primary care until at least 2016, said 22 groups in a June 10 letter to congressional leadership.

A nationwide survey of adult Medicaid enrollees will be conducted this fall. Results will identify state-specific and nationwide measures of health care access, barriers to care, satisfaction with providers, and patient experiences with Medicaid managed care and fee-for-service providers.

HHS announced up to $300 million for community health centers through the 2014 expanded services supplemental funding opportunity. Proposals by eligible health centers are due July 1.

Congress continues to address delays in care at VA medical centers. The Ways and Means Committee explores income verification for tax credit eligibility under the ACA, and the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee looks at incentives to develop new drugs and devices as well as health care access under the ACA.

America’s Essential Hospitals released a policy brief June 2 announcing its support for provider-sponsored premium assistance, which the association believes is a logical extension of members' work and facilitates the availability of affordable health care for all.

America's Essential Hospitals describes how provider-supplemented premium assistance for enrollees in the health insurance marketplaces strengthens the marketplaces and furthers the goals of the Affordable Care Act.

The Ways and Means Committee reviewed hospital issues as part of the Medicare Program. Two Louisiana delegates urged CMS to accept nonprofit-provided premium assistance. The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee held a hearing featuring Secretary Shinseki.

CMS has developed several resources to help hospitals implement presumptive eligibility, including model agreements between the state and hospitals, a model training template for states, a model application for hospitals, and FAQs.

Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden moves SGR bill to the floor under controversy, as there are still no agreed-upon ways to pay for the legislation. The Energy and Commerce Oversight subcommittee will look at the impact of psychiatric inpatient treatment capacity on resources and access.

America’s Essential Hospitals submitted comments Nov. 25 on the Basic Health Program proposed rule.

Rule proposes standardized, transparent process for assured access to Medicaid services in states

Oct. 28 letter notes that hospitals have faced more than $95 billion in cuts over the past three years

Held nearly 100 meetings, educated Congress about work to ensure patient access to high quality care

Siegel, Gremminger highlighted the importance of delaying, reconsidering scheduled Medicaid DSH cuts

Highlighted essential hospitals’ work to address health disparities, improve quality of care for all patients

Documents provide answers on coverage and enrollment

Effort to include focus on care provided to vulnerable populations

Grants go to 105 organizations that will serve as navigators in states with federally facilitated exchanges

Get Covered America aims to raise awareness about plan choices under Affordable Care Act

Plans must meet standards for quality measures, improvement strategies, consumer information

Association develops entitlement reform principles to guide possible future discussions around changes to the Medicare and Medicaid programs.