AHCA moves to the Senate
The Senate began work this week on the House version of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) as scoring from the congressional budget office (CBO) is sought. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has appointed a working group that will overhaul most, or all of the House version of the bill.
CMS delays implementation of HCBS settings final rule
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a letter announcing a delay in the implementation for the HCBS rule standards, extending the deadline to March 17, 2022. We have been working with LeadingAge to advocate for the delay since the rule was released.
LeadingAge launches campaign to save HUD elderly housing program
LeadingAge on Monday launched a new campaign aimed at saving the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 202 Housing for the Elderly program. LeadingAge says a large and rapidly expanding population of low-income older adults faces the challenge of finding affordable, safe housing that can accommodate changing needs as they grow older.
Health care industry adds 19,500 jobs in April
New labor statistics show the health care industry added 19,500 jobs in April. The seasonally adjusted numbers from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics show an increase of 4,200 jobs for hospitals and an increase of 1,100 jobs in nursing and residential care facilities from March.
House passes bill that repeals, replaces parts of ACA
The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed a retooled version of a bill aimed at repealing and replacing parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), sending the legislation to an uncertain future in the Senate. The House approved the American Health Care Act (AHCA) by a slim 217-213 margin. A timeline for consideration by the Senate is undetermined.
DSS mailing out Disproportionate Share Payment surveys to inpatient hospitals
The South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS) is mailing out Disproportionate Share Payment surveys to inpatient hospitals. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the final Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) audit and reporting rule in the Federal Register on December 19, 2008.
CMS holds call on the emergency preparedness rule
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently held a call on the emergency preparedness rule. The implementation date of the rule is Nov. 15, 2017.
CMS issues proposed payment rule for Medicare LTCH PPS
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a display copy of the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2018 proposed payment rule for the Medicare Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System (LTCH PPS). The proposed rule reflects the annual update to the Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) LTCH payment rates and policies.
IPPS and IPF rule proposes changes
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a display copy of the federal fiscal year 2018 proposed payment rule for the Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS). Included with the IPPS proposed rule are proposed changes to the Inpatient Psychiatric Facility Quality Reporting (IPFQR) Program.
AHCA amendment gives repeal-and-replace legislation new life
A new amendment to a Republican bill aimed at repealing and replacing parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has given the legislation new life. The amendment offered by Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-New Jersey) appears to have won support from members of the conservative Freedom Caucus, but it’s unclear how moderate Republicans will react to the changes and whether the bill can garner the 216 votes needed for House passage.
