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.
Registration open for SD Rural Health Leaders Conference
Registration is open for the South Dakota Rural Health Leaders Conference, planned for June 14-15 at the Drifters Conference Center in Fort Pierre. This new event for rural health leaders has been planned by the South Dakota Healthcare Financial Management Association, Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas, the Office of Rural Health and SDAHO.
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.
May health care observances
May is filled with many other health care celebrations in addition to this week's National Hospital Week and National Nurses Week. Also on the bill are Older Americans Month, Mental Health Awareness Month and next week's National Nursing Home Week (May 14-20).
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.
DOH: South Dakota reports lowest ever rate of infant deaths in 2016
South Dakota reported its lowest ever rate of infant deaths in 2016. The state Department of Health says new data shows 12,270 births and 59 infant deaths in 2016 for a rate of 4.8 deaths per 1,000 live births. That’s a drop from 7.3 in 2015 and below the previous low of 5.5 in 2000.
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.
AHA Annual Meeting and congressional visits
A delegation of our members traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to attend the American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Meeting and to meet with members of the South Dakota congressional delegation.
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.
Today is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day
Today, May 4, is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. The commemoration focuses on the importance of integrating behavioral health and primary care for children, youth and young adults with mental and/or substance use disorders. The 2017 national theme is “Partnering for Help and Hope.”
