Trump nominates assistant secretaries for health, mental health and substance abuse
President Donald Trump has submitted nominations for an assistant secretary for health and an assistant secretary for mental health and substance abuse at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
CMS seeking applications for Rural Community Hospital Demonstration extension
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is encouraging rural hospitals offering 24-hour emergency care services with fewer than 51 acute care inpatient beds to apply for the five-year extension of the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration.
GOP planning second try at ACA repeal this week
Republican House members appear to be ready to take another stab at repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) when they return from a two-week recess next week.
Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) satisfaction indicator survey is live
The 2017 Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) satisfaction indicator survey is live. Federal law requires that provider satisfaction be a performance standard for the work of MACs. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) administers the MAC Satisfaction Indicator (MSI) to measure provider satisfaction with the MACs from which they receive services.
Veterans Choice Program extended
President Donald Trump has signed legislation (S. 544) extending the Veterans Choice Program, which had been set to expire in August. The AHA says the legislation allows the program to access nearly $1 billion remaining from its initial emergency appropriation, makes the Department of Veterans Affairs the primary payer under the program and allows the agency to share certain medical records with community providers.
Online tool offers comparison data on VA clinic wait times, hospital quality
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has released an online tool providing average wait times for primary and specialty care appointments at specific VA clinics.
The tool provides data related to how long patients are waiting to be seen in their VA facility and how veterans describe their experiences scheduling primary and specialty care.
DOJ issues new corporate compliance guidance
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued new guidance including sample questions the agency uses when evaluating the effectiveness of corporate compliance programs. In February, the DOJ's fraud section issued new corporate compliance guidance titled “Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs.” The compliance program guidance is intended to provide more transparency about the use of so-called “Filip Factors” — 10 factors used by federal prosecutors in assessing charges with respect to compliance lapses.
Foundation seeks nominees for Future of Population Health Award
The Public Health Foundation (PHF) is seeking nominees for its 2017 Future of Population Health Award. The award recognizes exemplary practice by hospitals and health systems that are collaborating with public health departments and other community partners on health improvement strategies and implementation efforts.
Congress goes on recess with uncertainty about ACA and debt ceiling
The House is scheduled to wrap-up work today and the Senate is scheduled to depart later on Friday for...
Congress extends VA Choice program
With bipartisan support, the House of Representatives approved legislation (S. 544) extending the Veterans Choice Program on Wednesday following...
