Latest Health News
Optometrists, others join effort to improve care for returning troops
AHA News Now, November 4, 2008
The American Optometric Association is the latest organization to sign on to Joining Forces, a national initiative to educate medical professionals about the common health challenges facing returning U.S. troops.
HHS preliminarily approves waiver for WI Medicaid expansion
AHA News Now, November 3, 2008
The Department of Health and Human Services has preliminarily agreed to a five-year waiver allowing Wisconsin to expand its Medicaid-funded BadgerCare Plus program to cover low-income childless adults, Gov. Jim Doyle announced Friday.
Survey: Health care leaders dissatisfied with current system
AHA News Now, November 3, 2008
A majority of health care leaders believe the U.S. “fee-for-service” system of paying for health care needs to be overhauled because it doesn’t encourage high-quality, efficient care, according to survey findings released today by the Commonwealth Fund.
SAMHSA program dramatically reduces illicit drug use
AHA News Now, November 3, 2008
A Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration program that screens patients for substance abuse, followed up by steps to deal with the problem, has shown success in reducing alcohol and drug use, SAMHSA anounced Friday.
Online network issues first drug alert to physicians
AHA News Now, October 31, 2008
The Health Care Notification Network recently issued its first email and online drug alert to physicians, which warns of increased risk from tendinitis and tendon rupture associated with certain antibiotics made by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.
MA insurer to require e-prescribing in physician P4P programs
AHA News Now, October 31, 2008
Beginning in 2011, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts will require physicians to electronically prescribe medications to qualify for its physician incentive programs, the insurer announced Tuesday.
AHA, others urge Congress to support move to ICD-10
AHA News Now, October 29, 2008
The AHA, Advanced Medical Technology Association, and American Health Information Management Association yesterday voiced strong support for the ICD-10 coding system in a letter to Congress.
AHA, others join forces to improve care for returning troops
AHA News Now, October 29, 2008
HealthPartners Institute for Medical Education and the AHA have partnered with more than a dozen national organizations to educate medical professionals about the common health challenges facing returning U.S. troops.
Study: Patient satisfaction associated with quality
AHA News Now, October 29, 2008
Hospitals performing in the top quartile on the HCAHPS survey of patients’ perception of care had slightly higher average scores for clinical quality than hospitals performing in the bottom quartile, according to a study in the Oct. 30 New England Journal of Medicine.
CMS clarifies guidance on hospital standing orders
AHA News Now, October 28, 2008
At the urging of the AHA and others, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services last week issued
MA reforms have not caused businesses to drop coverage, studies find
AHA News Now, October 28, 2008
New public subsidies for health insurance enacted as part of health reform in Massachusetts have not caused businesses to drop coverage for their employees, according to studies published online today by Health Affairs.
Fifth 'Health for Life' forum convenes in Miami
AHA News Now, October 22, 2008
Florida hospital and health care groups joined the AHA in Miami today to discuss strategies for reforming the nation’s health care system in the context of “Health for Life,” a reform framework developed by the AHA with input from more than 100 stakeholder groups.
Panel shares healthcare goals at University of Miami forum
Miami Herald, October 22, 2008, John Dorschner
Saying she still had ''marks on my back from healthcare reform,'' University of Miami President Donna Shalala told 100 South Florida healthcare leaders Wednesday that the key to making major changes was getting a consensus. She noted the country had never ''taken a giant leap'' in any large social change without first getting agreement that there was a problem and then getting agreement on what the solution should be.
Area Health Leaders Step Up Efforts for Health Reform
KCUR News, October 16, 2008, Elana Gordon
Leaders from regional hospitals, insurance companies, and other health care organizations are stepping up their efforts to improve the nation's health care system. Bill Bruning of the Mid-America Coalition on Health Care says area stakeholders share a general goal when it comes to health reform.
Health for Life forums continue in Kansas City
AHA News Now, October 14, 2008
The AHA, Kansas Hospital Association and Missouri Hospital Association today hosted a national dialogue on health care reform in Overland Park, KS. More than 150 business, health care, government and consumer representatives participated in the event, the fourth of five national discussions to be held on the Health for Life reform guidelines developed by the AHA with stakeholder groups.
AHRQ announces process for approving patient safety organizations
AHA News Now, October 9, 2008
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality yesterday issued interim guidance allowing organizations to immediately apply for listing as a patient safety organization.
Census issues health coverage estimates by county
AHA News Now, October 9, 2008
The U.S. Census Bureau today released new state and county estimates of health insurance coverage by demographic characteristics.
Groups release evidence-based strategies to fight infection
AHA News Now, October 8, 2008
The AHA and four other health care organizations today released a compendium of strategies to help prevent the most dangerous infections that hospitals face.
Groups issue e-prescribing guide for physicians
AHA News Now, October 7, 2008
The eHealth Initiative and other groups today issued a guide to help office-based physicians transition from paper to electronic prescribing systems.
Panel revises colorectal-cancer screening recommendations
AHA News Now, October 7, 2008
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force yesterday recommended screening adults aged 50-75 for colorectal cancer using fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.
Grants to support suicide prevention in children
AHA News Now, October 6, 2008
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration today awarded almost $27 million in grants to support state efforts to prevent suicide in children and young adults.
President signs mental health parity measure
AHA News Now, October 3, 2008
President Bush today signed the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, which earlier today cleared the House by a 263-171 vote after passing the Senate Wednesday.
Health information exchange found to lower health care costs
AHA News Now, September 11, 2008
Sixty-nine percent of fully operational health information exchange efforts report reductions in health care costs, according to the latest survey by eHealth Initiative.
Poll: Americans support funding for chronic disease prevention
AHA News Now, September 4, 2008
More than two-thirds of Americans believe the U.S. health care system should place more emphasis on preventive care for chronic diseases, according to a new survey by the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors.
CDC reports on tobacco-related cancers
AHA News Now, September 4, 2008
About 2.4 million tobacco-related cancers were diagnosed in the U.S. from 1999 to 2004, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Health Care: Seeking solutions
The Patriot-News, August 28, 2008, David Wenner
Alice Yoder had a pointed question after listening to a panel that gathered Wednesday to push for solutions to the nation's health care crisis.
"We are bleeding to death out there," said Yoder, a nurse and director of community health at Lancaster General Hospital. "How are we ever going to find a solution when everybody has their own interests?"
The forum in Harrisburg was sponsored by the American Hospital Association. It included representatives of hospitals, doctors, business and labor unions, senior citizens and state government.
Health for Life forums continue in PA
AHA News Now, August 27, 2008
Health care, business, government and consumer representatives gathered today in Harrisburg, PA, for the third AHA-cosponsored discussion of comprehensive health care reform. Co-hosted by the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) and Pennsylvania Cable Network, the event focused on ways to make health care more accessible and less expensive, in keeping with the hospital field’s Health for Life framework.
Joint Commission project to explore cultural competency standards
AHA News Now, August 25, 2008
The Joint Commission seeks nominations
Study: Covering uninsured would increase U.S. health spending by 5%
AHA News Now, August 25, 2008
Americans who lack health insurance for any part of 2008 will spend $30 billion out of pocket for health services and receive $56 billion in uncompensated care while uninsured, estimates a study
Report: Working families burdened by lack of adequate insurance
AHA News Now, August 20, 2008
More working-age adults are delaying medical care or having problems paying medical bills because they are uninsured or paying more out of pocket for health care, according to a new report
Health coverage climbs in MA
AHA News Now, August 20, 2008
More than 439,000 Massachusetts residents have enrolled in private or subsidized health insurance programs since the state implemented reforms to expand health coverage in 2006, according to a new report
Study: MFA reports increase in medical fitness centers
AHA News Now, August 20, 2008
The latest survey
Study: Insured kids far more likely to get needed care
AHA News Now, August 14, 2008
Uninsured children, especially those with chronic health needs, are more likely to postpone or skip needed care than children enrolled in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, Medicaid and other public insurance programs, according to a study
Survey: Majority of Americans want health care reform
AHA News Now, August 7, 2008
Eight in 10 Americans believe that the U.S. health care system needs to be fundamentally changed or completely rebuilt, according to survey results
Denver forum deals straight talk on fixing nation’s health care problems
AHA News Now, August 4, 2008, Lucy Ament
Health reform advocates came together last week at an AHA cosponsored forum in Denver to encourage health care, business, payer and community development organizations to unite behind reform principles for policymakers to implement at the national, state and local levels.
“If we magically had an insurance card that took care of America’s 47 million uninsured, that would still not solve the problem,” said panelist Kevin Lofton, president and CEO of Denver-based Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and the immediate past chairman of the AHA. “We can take care of children when they come to our hospitals, but if they go home and they live in an apartment that has no heat in the winter, then it’s a vicious cycle.”
Forum backs principles for health care reform
The Denver Post, July 30, 2008, John Ingold
A roomful of health care experts and advocates grappled Wednesday inside a University of Denver hall with how to fix a system just about everyone agreed is broken.
"My jaw drops every day when I understand how irrational our system is," said Maureen Tarrant, chief executive of Sky Ridge Medical Center.
The meeting, attended by Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien, was part of a series of forums being put on nationwide by the American Hospital Association. The idea is to bring together health care, community and government leaders to talk about how to fix the health care system. By the end of the forum, participants had agreed on a set of guiding principles: increasing health care access and coverage, ensuring that costs are shared fairly by all, improving efficiency within the system and providing for greater sharing of information among providers.
Denver gives nod to smoking ban near hospitals
AHA News Now, July 24, 2008
The Denver City Council Monday preliminarily passed an ordinance prohibiting smoking on sidewalks and other public areas around the city’s hospitals. Smokers in violation of the ordinance could be fined $300.
House panel holds hearing on how to spur health IT adoption
AHA News Now, July 24, 2008
The House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee today heard testimony from private and public officials on ways Congress might act to speed adoption of health information technology.
Ruling prohibits Senate panel from marking up SCHIP legislation
AHA News Now, July 23, 2008
The Senate Finance Committee today could not mark up legislation (S. J. RES. 44) that would nullify a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services directive limiting enrollment in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, due to a ruling by the Senate parliamentarian that the legislation was not introduced within the required timeframe.
House panel approves health IT bill; AHA urges changes
AHA News Now, July 23, 2008
The House Energy and Commerce Committee today approved H.R. 6357, legislation intended to promote the adoption of health information technology while protecting patient privacy.
Health for Life sparks a dialogue on improving health care at Iowa forum
AHA News Now, July 21, 2008, Lucy Ament
The AHA last week kicked off an ambitious national discussion on health care reform, bringing together in Des Moines, IA, diverse but ardent proponents of meaningful and immediate change from across the Hawkeye state. The event was the first of several community forums to be hosted across the country.
Under the banner Health for Life: Better Health. Better Health Care, the AHA and the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA) gathered representatives of consumer, health care, and business organizations at Iowa Methodist Medical Center on July 16 to talk about how disparate groups can forge a consensus around reform and present a common agenda for action to policymakers at the start of the new administration. Health for Life is a reform framework developed by the AHA in conjunction with community and faith-based leaders, elected officials, local, state and federal policymakers, consumer and health advocacy groups, educators, the business community, and others.
Survey: Large employers offering wellness programs, incentives
AHA News Now, July 1, 2008
Seventy-seven percent of large employers offer health and wellness programs, and 48% offer disease management programs, according to a new survey
Two e-prescribing networks merge
AHA News Now, July 1, 2008
RxHub and SureScripts have merged their electronic prescribing networks, the groups announced today. They said the merger will offer vendors of electronic medical records software a single process for testing and certifying their products’ connection to an electronic prescribing network, among other benefits.
Study finds little change in payment for chronic disease
AHA News Now, June 30, 2008
Barriers to reforming payment for chronic disease to foster high-quality, efficient care include a fragmented health care delivery system, the potential for lower revenues and a lack of insurance coverage for non-physician services, according to a new study by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC).
Florida project to focus on reducing hospital readmissions
AHA News Now, June 26, 2008
The Florida Hospital Association will launch a "collaborative" this summer to explore opportunities for reducing hospital readmission rates. Using new state data on potentially preventable readmissions, among other tools, the year-long initiative
Americans report declining access to medical care
AHA News Now, June 26, 2008
One in five Americans reported forgoing or delaying medical care in 2007, up from one in seven in 2003, according to a new survey by the Center for Studying Health System Change. Cost was the most frequently cited obstacle to care. More than 23 million people reported going without needed care, while roughly 36 million delayed seeking care, the survey found.
CDC: 43.1 million Americans uninsured in 2007
AHA News Now, June 25, 2008
An estimated 43.1 million Americans, 14.5% of the population, lacked health insurance when surveyed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2007. That’s down from 43.6 million, or 14.8%, in 2006, based on 2007 data released today from the CDC’s latest National Health Interview Survey
Cities report growing demand for health services, coverage costs
AHA News Now, June 24, 2008
Cities are struggling to meet the demand for health services as the number of uninsured increases, according to a new Families USA survey
Commission approves 2008 certification criteria for EHR products
AHA News Now, June 23, 2008
The Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology Friday published its final 2008 certification criteria for inpatient and emergency department electronic health record products.
States strive to cover uninsured as revenues decline
AHA News Now, June 23, 2008
Despite declining fiscal conditions, about half of governors have proposed expanding health coverage for the uninsured in their fiscal 2009 budgets, according to a state fiscal survey
Study: Few physicians have EHR systems
AHA News Now, June 19, 2008
Few U.S. physicians have adopted electronic health records in their practices, according to a study
Fewer small businesses offer health coverage
AHA News Now, June 17, 2008
More than 65% of businesses with 10 or fewer employees say high cost is the most significant barrier to their offering health insurance, according to a survey released today by the National Association for the Self-Employed. Only 19% of businesses with 10 or fewer employees currently offer coverage for full-time employees, down from 46% in 2005. One in 10 respondents spent 25% or more of their gross revenue on health insurance, up from 10.1% in 2005. NASE called access to health care the single biggest barrier to people joining and remaining in the ranks of the self-employed.
Study: 25 million adults underinsured
AHA News Now, June 10, 2008
The number of underinsured U.S. adults under age 65 increased 60% in the past four years to more than 25 million, according to a study released today by the Commonwealth Fund. Based on a nationally representative survey, the study found that 42% of the nation’s 75 million adults were either uninsured or underinsured in 2007, up from one-third in 2003. The study defined underinsured adults as insured adults who spent 5%-10% or more of their income on out-of-pocket medical expenses, or whose deductible equaled 5% or more of their annual family income. Underinsured and uninsured adults were more likely than other adults to go without needed care and less confident in their ability to access high-quality care when needed, the study found. They also were more likely to report care coordination problems and difficulty paying medical bills.
AHA leaders tell hospitals they can help set the stage for health reform
AHA News Now, April 14, 2008
Hospitals that lead by example in their communities can help set the stage for meaningful national health reform, AHA President and CEO Rich Umbdenstock told hospital leaders.
Kicking off the annual meeting’s Federal Forum, Umbdenstock called on hospitals to embrace the six aims of the Institute of Medicine: achieving care that is safe, timely, efficient, effective, equitable and patient centered. “We must show the public and policymakers that we are facing the cost, quality and safety issues head on,” he said.
By improving performance and “making great strides forward in the work we do for our patients,” he said hospitals can bring to the reform debate “not only a vision of better health and better health care, but an unparalleled level of credibility to influence the outcome.” He also urged hospital leaders to tell their legislators “it is no longer acceptable to give lip service to health care reform.”
Let us join together in unity to turn our passion into better health care for all Americans
AHA News Now, April 14, 2008
Bill Petasnick, president and CEO of Froedtert & Community Health in Milwaukee, was invested as AHA chairman on April 6. The following is an excerpt from his prepared investiture address.
Vince Lombardi, that legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers, once said, “The measure of who we are is what we do when given a chance.” The upcoming election allows us that chance to use the political process to build a powerful coalition to dramatically improve our nation’s health and health care.
Health for Life. As a result of our Health for Life framework, we now have the ability to play a major leadership role in forging a broad-based national coalition to bring about meaningful change in the way health care is organized, financed and delivered.
By incorporating the Institute of Medicine’s Six Aims into our reform agenda, we are sending a message that hospitals are doing more than talking about reform. We are committed to making health care safer, timely, effective, efficient, equitable and patient focused.