The AHA is pleased that at our urging, CMS will be repaying affected hospitals the full OPPS rate for 2019 to support the critical work they do for the patients and communities they serve.
AHA Press Releases
Below are the most recent press releases from the American Hospital Association.
Latest
America’s hospitals and health systems remain committed to protecting patients from unanticipated medical bills that they may incur because of gaps in their insurance coverage or as a result of emergencies.
America’s hospitals and health systems are committed to protecting patients from unanticipated medical bills that they may incur because of gaps in their insurance coverage or as a result of emergencies. Unfortunately, unless this proposal is much improved over previous bills that rely on a benchmark rate, it remains highly problematic and would jeopardize patient access to hospital care, particularly in rural communities.
Today, four national organizations representing hospitals and health systems sued the federal government, challenging last month’s contract disclosure rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Twenty years ago, the Institute of Medicine issued a call to action and the women and men of America’s hospitals and health systems responded by working tirelessly to make health care better, safer and more patient-centered. Due to the efforts of hospital and health system leaders, trustees, caregivers on the front lines and all of the other dedicated employees ensuring safe and caring environments, our field has improved the safety and quality of care, delivering real progress that has benefited patients.
The American Hospital Association (AHA), Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) and Federation of American Hospitals (FAH) issued the following joint statement on today’s final rule from CMS: Today’s rule mandating the public disclosure of privately negotiated rates between commercial health insurance companies and hospitals is a setback in efforts to provide patients with the most relevant information they need to make informed decisions about their care.
WASHINGTON
The field has lost a giant in health care. Bernard Tyson was a champion for creating a more integrated and coordinated delivery system, and expanding coverage and access.
Today’s final rule from CMS regrettably ignores recent legal decisions while also putting even more pressure on hospitals and health systems that care for vulnerable patients and communities.
The AHA welcomes the nomination of Dr. Stephen Hahn, a renowned oncologist and physician leader, to be the next commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. As the chief medical executive at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Hahn leads the medical practice at one of the world’s top hospitals devoted to cancer care, research, education and prevention. We believe that Dr. Hahn’s more than 20 years of experience on the front lines of delivering patient care, overseeing clinical research and operations, and quality and safety initiatives makes him a uniquely qualified nominee to lead the FDA.
Tom Nickels
Executive Vice President
American Hospital Association
October 21, 2019
Now that Judge Collyer has ruled against both the government’s motion to reconsider her opinion and the motion for a stay, the AHA expects CMS to comply with today’s order and promptly repay the impacted hospitals to support the work they do for the patients they serve.
AHA applauds the Department of Health and Human Services for putting patients first and taking action to modernize the rules so they support, rather than hinder, the teamwork among health care providers that is so essential to providing the best, most comprehensive patient care.
Tom Nickels
Executive Vice President
American Hospital Association
September 19, 2019
WASHINGTON (September