News

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Jan. 26 released proposed changes to Medicare Advantage plan capitation rates and Part D payment policies for calendar year 2027, which the agency estimates will result in a net average year-over-year increase of 0.09% in MA plan payments, or $700 million.

The AHA has released an issue brief on the role of peer support specialists in behavioral health.

The AHA Jan. 26 urged the Health Resources and Services Administration to take immediate action to stop a new Eli Lilly and Company policy from taking effect on Feb. 1, including by “assessing civil monetary penalties for intentionally overcharging 340B hospitals.”

The number of active medical residents grew in 2024-2025, marking the seventh consecutive year of growth, according to a report by the Association of American Medical Colleges.

The departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury have added Dane Street, LLC as a new independent dispute resolution entity, bringing the total number to 16.

The AHA Jan. 26 released a white paper on addressing challenges in implementing an advanced explanation of benefits, which requires coordination among multiple providers, health plans and IT systems.

The AHA Jan. 26 expressed support and provided its perspective on certain provisions within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed rule for policies governing the Medicare Advantage and Part D programs for contract year 2027.

This year I’ll be continuing the AHA Leadership Dialogue series and talking with health care, business and community leaders on trending topics in the field.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has released a guide to improve coordination between 988 lifeline and 911 emergency services.

A JAMA study released Jan. 22 found that colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in people under age 50. The study examined cancer mortality in the U.S. among the five leading causes from 1990 through 2023.

The Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies, America’s Blood Centers and the American Red Cross today released a joint statement urging blood donations as winter weather could further disrupt supply amid an ongoing shortage.

More than 57 million rural Americans depend on their hospital not only as an important source of care but also as a critical component of their area's economic and social framework. Rural hospitals also face the same difficulties shared by many hospitals — including financial stress, workforce shortages, and inadequate reimbursement from government payers like Medicare and Medicaid, just to name a few. The AHA is engaged in many advocacy efforts to support rural hospitals and ensure access to care in rural communities.

The House Jan.

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health and Ways and Means Committee Jan. 22 hosted hearings on health care affordability that included testimony from leaders of five major commercial health insurers: Stephen Hemsley, CEO of UnitedHealth Group, David Joyner, chairman and CEO of CVS Health, Gail Boudreaux, president and CEO of Elevance Health, David Cordani, president, CEO and chairman of the board of The Cigna Group, and Paul Markovich, president and CEO of Ascendiun. Both hearings focused on rising health care costs and access challenges under commercial coverage. The AHA shared statements with both committees that discussed the current landscape of affordability and how the insurance market has driven health care costs upward. 

Olympus has expanded a voluntary recall of its ViziShot 2 FLEX Needles due to complaints of device components ejecting or attaching during procedures, the Food and Drug Administration announced Jan. 16. The company said it received reports of one patient death and one patient injury and advised users to cease use of the product immediately and quarantine all devices. Customers were instructed to return the devices to Olympus. The FDA announced a Class I recall of certain lots of the product in September. 

The full AHA 2025 National Governance Report is now available. The report provides a comprehensive picture of the state of health care governance structures and practices across the country in areas including composition, performance oversight and selection. This resource is free to AHA member organizations and available for purchase for nonmembers.

The House Budget Committee hosted a hearing Jan. 21 on health care affordability titled, “Reverse the Curse: Skyrocketing Health Care Costs and America’s Fiscal Future.”

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will host a 

A measles outbreak in South Carolina has reached 700 cases, the state’s Department of Public Health reported.

The American Red Cross Jan. 20 declared a severe blood shortage as the national blood supply fell approximately 35% within the last month.