Many hospitals including those in rural and underserved areas are experiencing unprecedented challenges that jeopardize access and services. Here are a series of proposals and suggestions for the Ways and Means Committee to consider as it looks for avenues to broaden access to health care for patients in rural and underserved regions.
Letters
Throughout the year, the AHA comments on a vast number of proposed and interim final rules put forth by the federal regulatory agencies. In addition, AHA communicates with federal legislators to convey the hospital field's position on potential legislative changes that would impact patients and patient care. Below are the most recent letters from the AHA to these bodies.
Latest
AHA members have expressed significant concerns about Cotiviti’s audit and appeals process, including its inadequate appeals procedures, the scope of audits being performed and the untenable timelines that are being executed. Therefore, we urge the VA to issue proposed rulemaking not only to allow for public input but also to formalize clear standards and expectations governing the audit and appeals processes.
Waivers allowed practitioners to render telehealth services from their home without having to report their home address on Medicare enrollment or claims forms. Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, these providers will be required to report their home address on enrollment and claims forms.
AHA comments on the Senate request for information on data privacy and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
AHA's comment on the readiness of legislative and regulatory frameworks to ensure appropriate oversight of artificial intelligence (AI).
AHA comments on provisions included in the Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Expansion Act.
AHA comments regarding H.R. 5378, Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, provisions.
The Agencies now offer draft merger guidelines that provide virtually no meaningful guidance to hospitals and health systems. The Draft Guidelines ignore serious flaws in contemporary enforcement practice and overlook recent judicial opinions that contradict their more aggressive proposed changes. The Agencies propose a structural presumption that is arbitrarily low and potentially fatal to beneficial transactions.
AHA comments on certain financial products patients may use to pay for medical care (medical payment products).
AHA comments on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) physician fee schedule (PFS) proposed rule for calendar year (CY)
2024.