CMS to Host 7th Annual HL7 FHIR Connectathon in July
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host its seventh annual HL7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) Connectathon from July 14‑16, 2026. The virtual event will bring together interoperability leaders, implementers and innovators to conduct hands‑on testing of CMS policies and FHIR‑based solutions in real‑world settings. Participants will share lessons on operationalizing FHIR within Medicare and Medicaid programs, with registration details to be released soon. The Connectathon underscores CMS’s push to accelerate data exchange across the health system.
CDC Finds Nearly Half of U.S. Adults Get Recommended Amount of Physical Activity
The CDC’s April 7 data brief reports that 47.2% of U.S. adults met the federal aerobic‑activity guideline in 2024, up from previous years. Men (52.3%) were more likely than women (42.4%) to achieve the target. Compliance rose with higher education,...
ASHE’s 2026 Health Care Facilities Innovation Conference Set for August
The American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE) announced that registration is now open for its 2026 Health Care Facilities Innovation Conference, scheduled for August 2‑5 in Minneapolis. The event, formerly known as the ASHE Annual Conference & Technical Exhibition, is...
CMS Finalizes Medicare Advantage Rates for CY 2027
On April 6, CMS finalized the 2027 Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D payment rates, delivering a 2.48% year‑over‑year increase that translates to more than $13 billion in additional plan payments versus 2026. This figure far exceeds the agency’s earlier advance‑notice projection of...
Court Strikes HRSA 340B Policy Restricting Initial Hospital Drug Purchases Through GPOs
On March 31, a U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. vacated the Health Resources and Services Administration’s 2013 rule that barred disproportionate‑share hospitals from making initial outpatient drug purchases through both the 340B Drug Pricing Program and a group purchasing...
AHA Podcast: The CMO’s Role in Better Outcomes
The American Hospital Association podcast spotlights Chief Medical Officer Phillip Chang of CommonSpirit Health, who discusses how CMOs are reshaping health‑care delivery. He emphasizes the need for robust data measurement and quality metrics to drive better patient outcomes. Chang also...
White House Issues FY 2027 Budget Request
The White House unveiled its FY 2027 budget request, projecting roughly $1.5 trillion in total federal outlays with a notable boost to health‑related programs. The proposal follows the American Hospital Association’s latest *Costs of Caring* report, which highlights rising expenses for hospitals...
Joint Commission Launches Outcome-Driven Certifications on Perinatal Care, Cardiac Procedures
The Joint Commission announced the rollout of outcome‑driven certifications, debuting two programs that assess hospital performance in perinatal care and cardiac surgeries. The perinatal certification will measure maternal and newborn outcomes alongside patient‑experience scores, while the cardiac certification will track...
CDC Releases Report on Flu, COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage for Health Care Workers for 2024-25 Respiratory Season
The CDC released its 2024‑25 respiratory‑season report showing that 76.3% of health‑care workers received flu shots and 40.2% were vaccinated against COVID‑19. Coverage rose when employers provided on‑site vaccinations, reaching 73% for flu and 42.9% for COVID‑19, versus 41.4% and...
FAQ Addresses Enforcement Discretion for Plan Compliance Under Certain No Surprises Act Provisions
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, together with Labor, Treasury and OPM, issued a joint FAQ on April 1 confirming that they will keep using enforcement discretion for No Surprises Act compliance when plans calculate qualifying payment amounts (QPAs) with...
CMS Seeks Applicants for LEAD ACO Model
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a call for applications to its new LEAD ACO Model, an innovative Medicaid‑focused accountable care organization initiative. The model, launched by the CMS Innovation Center, targets improvements in care coordination for...
4th Circuit Upholds Block on West Virginia’s 340B Law
The Fourth Circuit affirmed a preliminary injunction that blocks West Virginia’s Senate Bill 325, which would have forced drug manufacturers to extend 340B discounts to prescriptions filled by contract pharmacies. The injunction, originally issued by a West Virginia district court,...
Organizations, Including AHA, Release Reforms to Strengthen LTCHs
A coalition of hospital stakeholders, including the American Hospital Association, released Long‑Term Acute Care Hospital (LTCH) Reform Policy Principles to guide Congress. The proposals aim to expand payment criteria for high‑acuity patients, improve the prospective payment system, reconsider the 25‑day...
AHA Makes Recommendations to CMS on Strengthening Domestic Supply Chain for PPE, Essential Medicines
The American Hospital Association (AHA) submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on a proposed rulemaking aimed at strengthening the domestic supply chain for personal protective equipment (PPE) and essential medicines. The AHA supports CMS’s plan...
AHA Responds to CMS’ CRUSH RFI on Potential Actions Addressing Fraud in Health Care
The American Hospital Association (AHA) responded to CMS’s Request for Information on the Comprehensive Regulations to Uncover Suspicious Healthcare (CRUSH) initiative, urging data‑driven, low‑burden regulatory changes. It called for stronger oversight of Medicare Advantage organizations and enhanced transparency tools for...
CMS Report Finds Rise in Premiums for 2026 Marketplace Enrollees
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reported that average out‑of‑pocket premiums for Health Insurance Marketplace enrollees jumped from $113 in 2025 to $178 in 2026, a $65 monthly increase. The rise follows the expiration of the enhanced premium tax...
Hospitals in New York, New Mexico Receive Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for Performance Excellence
The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for Performance Excellence was granted to two hospitals—one in New York and one in New Mexico—recognizing their superior patient safety, leadership, and operational performance. Administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the...
Registration Discounts End March 31 for Healthier Together Conference
The American Hospital Association’s inaugural Healthier Together Conference will take place May 12‑14 in Dallas, and early‑bird registration rates expire on March 31. The three‑day event will convene health‑care leaders to discuss community‑health partnerships, data‑driven care coordination, and strategies for addressing social...
Utah Measles Outbreak Grows to 486 Cases as U.S. Total Approaches 1,600
The CDC confirmed 1,487 measles cases in the United States this year, edging toward the 1,600 mark. Utah now reports 486 infections, the largest single‑state tally, while South Carolina’s outbreak has surged past 990 cases. The rapid rise follows low...
SAMHSA Advisory Addresses Ways to Close Care Gaps in Behavioral Health Service Deserts
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) issued an advisory outlining a multi‑pronged plan to close behavioral health service gaps in U.S. “desert” areas. It calls for expanding tele‑behavioral health, embedding mental‑health clinicians in primary‑care settings, and offering...
CDC Immunization Report Finds Declines in 5 Childhood Vaccines by Age 2
The CDC’s March 26 report shows U.S. child vaccination coverage by age two remained broadly stable, but five vaccines saw measurable declines. Flu coverage dropped 7.4 percentage points, while hepatitis B birth dose, rotavirus, pneumococcal conjugate, and Hib each fell between 1...
HHS Announces Members of Healthcare Advisory Committee
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the formation of a new Healthcare Advisory Committee. The panel, chaired by Bill Gassen of Sanford Health, includes Dennis Laraway of Cleveland Clinic...
AHA: Anthem Facility Administrative Policy Sets Providers up to Fail
The American Hospital Association (AHA) warns that Anthem’s new facility administrative policy forces hospitals in 12 states to guarantee every physician treating an Anthem enrollee is in‑network. Non‑compliance could cut hospital reimbursements by roughly 10% or result in removal from...
Study: Premature Placental Separation Could Increase Child’s Risk of Heart Disease by Age 28
An American Heart Association study of nearly three million pregnancies found that children born after placental abruption—affecting about 1 % of U.S. pregnancies—face a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease by age 28. The analysis shows almost a three‑fold increase in hospitalizations for...
FDA Issues Early Alert for Certain Dialysis Devices From B. Braun Medical
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an early alert for B. Braun Medical’s Streamline Airless System Hemodialysis Bloodlines and B3 Low Volume Bloodlines after testing revealed a resin change that caused tiny air bubbles to cling to the arterial line...
AHA Podcast: Rethinking Primary Care to Support Medically Complex Patients
The American Hospital Association released a new podcast series titled “Rethinking Primary Care to Support Medically Complex Patients,” featuring leaders from John Muir Health, Essentia Health, CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital, Hospital Sisters Health System, Beacon Health System, and the FBI. Episodes...
Advisory Group Conducting Survey on No Surprises Act Good Faith Estimates
The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI) announced a survey to assess how health‑care providers are delivering good‑faith cost estimates to uninsured and self‑pay patients under the No Surprises Act. The questionnaire, which will remain anonymous, seeks insight into implementation...
More than 41,000 Medical School Seniors, Graduates Matched to Residency Slots
More than 41,000 medical‑school seniors and recent graduates secured residency positions in the latest match, marking the seventh straight year of growth in the resident workforce. The Association of American Medical Colleges reported a modest rise in active residents for...
HHS Finalizes HIPAA Transaction Standard for Health Care Attachments
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a final rule on March 20 establishing a uniform electronic format for health‑care claim attachments under HIPAA, along with mandatory electronic signature requirements. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services projects the...
Registration Discounts for Healthier Together Conference Available Until March 31
The American Hospital Association has opened early‑bird registration for its inaugural Healthier Together Conference, with discounted rates available until March 31. The three‑day event will take place May 12‑14 in Dallas and will concentrate on community health, care‑delivery transformation, and reducing health‑outcome...
HCMC Launches Excellence in Hospital Capacity Management Award
Health Care Management Corporation (HCMC) announced the launch of the Excellence in Hospital Capacity Management Award, targeting hospitals that excel in patient flow and resource optimization. The award will assess candidates on data‑driven strategies, measurable outcomes, and innovative practices, with...
Former AHA Chair John Haupert to Retire
Former Grady Health System president and CEO John Haupert announced his retirement at the end of 2026, moving into an advisory role in 2027. Haupert, who has led Grady since 2011 and chaired the American Hospital Association in 2023, will be...
Study Estimates More than 155,000 Uncounted COVID-19 Deaths Occurred Early During Pandemic
A new peer‑reviewed study estimates that more than 155,000 COVID‑19 deaths were missed in the United States during the pandemic’s first year. By merging state mortality records with excess‑death statistical models, researchers identified a sizable gap between official death certificates...
CMS Accepting Comments on Data Collection Requirements for Medicare Advantage Plans, Part D Sponsors
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has opened a public comment period, ending May 11, on proposed revisions to data reporting requirements for Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D sponsors. The updates, intended for contract year 2027, clarify...
Report: Cigarette Smoking Rate Drops to Record Low 9.9%
U.S. adult cigarette smoking fell to 9.9% in 2024, the lowest level ever recorded, according to a New England Journal of Medicine analysis of 2023‑2024 National Health Interview Survey data. The decline marks a continuation of a multi‑decade downward trend,...
Study Finds GLP-1 Drugs Can Help Curb SUDs
A BMJ study of more than 600,000 Veterans Affairs patients with type‑2 diabetes found that glucagon‑like peptide‑1 (GLP‑1) drugs significantly lowered the risk of developing substance‑use disorders, including alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, cocaine and opioids. The analysis compared GLP‑1 therapy with...
House Bill Would Exempt Health Care Workers From $100,000 H-1B Visa Filing Fee
On March 17, 2026, House members introduced the bipartisan Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act, which would waive the $100,000 H‑1B filing fee imposed on foreign‑trained health‑care workers by a 2025 presidential proclamation. The legislation also bars any new H‑1B...
AHA Advertorial Highlights How Hospitals Serve Communities
The American Hospital Association (AHA) placed an advertorial in The Wall Street Journal on March 17, emphasizing that hospitals are the heart of U.S. communities because they deliver care whenever and wherever needed. The piece outlines current challenges—rising costs, system complexity,...
Hospitals Are Here for Patients: Making Care More Accessible and Affordable
Hospitals serve as community health anchors, offering 24/7 care for routine, emergency, and specialized needs. They are tackling rising costs by boosting efficiency, expanding preventive programs, and leveraging digital tools such as telehealth and electronic health records. Despite these efforts,...
AHA Responds to RFI on Diagnostic Imaging Interoperability From ASTP/ONC
The American Hospital Association (AHA) replied to the Assistant Secretary for Health Information Technology/Office of the National Coordinator’s request for information on diagnostic imaging interoperability. The AHA endorsed the shift from physical media to electronic data exchange and asked for...
CMS Announces Centralized Platform for Managing Independent Dispute Resolution Operations
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced a new centralized platform, the IDR Gateway, to manage independent dispute resolution (IDR) operations under the No Surprises Act. The system will replace the current single‑use web forms, allowing users to initiate...
AHA Launches New Ad Celebrating Hospitals’ Compassion and Care
The American Hospital Association (AHA) unveiled a new television and digital advertisement that spotlights the compassion and care delivered by hospitals across the United States. The ad, released during Patient Safety Awareness Week, weaves together authentic patient narratives and frontline...
Guidelines Recommend Cholesterol Screening, Treatment for Individuals as Young as Age 30
The American Heart Association released new cholesterol guidelines recommending routine lipid screening for adults starting at age 30, a shift from the previous 45‑year threshold. The recommendations pair early detection with individualized treatment, including lifestyle counseling and statin therapy for...
Virtual Event to Focus on Cyber Incident Response and Recovery
A virtual event will convene cybersecurity leaders to discuss incident response and recovery strategies, drawing lessons from recent high‑profile breaches such as Stryker’s global ransomware attack. The agenda incorporates new government initiatives, including the White House’s executive order on state‑sponsored...
AHA Podcast Explores Duke Health’s Community Efforts to Reduce Hypertension Disparities
The American Hospital Association’s Advancing Health podcast featured Duke University experts discussing their “Closing the Gap on Hypertension Disparities” initiative. The program integrates community health workers, student ambassadors, and local clinic partnerships to lower blood‑pressure rates in underserved populations. It...
AHA Shares Recommendations with CMS on Proposed Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027
The American Hospital Association (AHA) submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the agency’s proposed Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027. While the AHA praised CMS’s push for innovative coverage options, it warned...
MedPAC Releases March 2026 Report to Congress
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) released its March 2026 report to Congress, outlining recommended payment rates for hospital inpatient and outpatient services for 2027. The commission also proposed allocating an additional $1 billion to safety‑net hospitals through a new Medicare safety‑net...
Measles Cases Continue Nationwide Spread as South Carolina Outbreak Slows, Utah Outbreak Rises
The CDC reports 1,362 measles cases nationwide in 2026, with 94% tied to outbreaks. South Carolina’s outbreak, now at 996 cases, shows signs of slowing, while Utah’s outbreak has risen to 405 cases, marking a recent surge. Both states account...
Webinar to Discuss How Leaders Strengthen Clinical Workforce
The American Hospital Association will host a webinar on March 19 at 1 p.m. ET to examine how health‑care leaders are strengthening the clinical workforce. The session will focus on improving retention, physician well‑being, and coverage stability across hospitals. Attendees will...
CMS Guidance Reinforces Roles of Organ Procurement Organizations and Hospitals in Organ Procurement, Transplantation
On March 11, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued new guidance clarifying the distinct roles of organ procurement organizations (OPOs) and hospitals in the organ donation process. The directive emphasizes that end‑of‑life decisions remain between patients’ families and attending...
