News

Pfizer released preliminary laboratory findings on its COVID-19 vaccine’s effectiveness against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, offering an early look at the two, distinct dosing regiments currently authorized in the U.S.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will continue to exercise discretion in enforcing compliance with the payer-to-payer data exchange provisions of its 2020 final rule on interoperability and patient access until it finalizes future rulemaking to address implementation challenges, the agency announced. 

The House voted 222-212 to pass a legislative package that would extend the moratorium on the 2% Medicare sequester cuts until April 1, 2022, and reduce the cuts from 2% to 1% from April 1 through June 30, 2022.

Mutations in the omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus may impact certain molecular tests for COVID-19, the Food and Drug Administration announced.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services seeks public comments until Feb. 1 to inform potential changes to the requirements for transplant programs, organ procurement organizations, and end-stage renal disease facilities that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs to improve and advance equity in organ donation and transplantation and dialysis services. 

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, M.D., released an Advisory on Protecting Youth Mental Health, which calls for a “a whole-of-society effort to address longstanding challenges, strengthen the resilience of young people, support their families and communities, and mitigate the pandemic’s mental health impacts.”

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit issued its opinion explaining why it denied Florida’s motion for an injunction pending appeal.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services intends to propose adding a “birthing-friendly” hospital designation on its Care Compare website to drive improvements in perinatal health outcomes and maternal health equity, the Department of Health and Human Services announced.

The White House hosted a summit to mark the first federal Maternal Health Day of Action. The summit highlighted actions the federal government is taking to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity. 

In recognition of National Influenza Vaccination Week, AHA is partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on a series of resources encouraging families to take steps to protect themselves and their loved ones from seasonal flu and remind everyone that still needs to get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19, if eligible, to be protected during the upcoming holidays and winter months.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will host a Special Open Door Forum Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. ET on provider requirements effective Jan. 1 under the No Surprises Act.

A legislative package could be voted on in the House that would stop upcoming Medicare cuts to hospitals, physicians and other providers that are scheduled to kick in early next year.

Learn how hospital and health system leaders such as Brian Miller, M.D., chief medical informatics officer and vice president of the Telehealth Institute at ProMedica Health System, are using artificial intelligence and other technology to improve quality and manage population health through early identification of risk and proactive care management.

AHA issued a statement on the legacy of former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, R-Kan., following his death at age 98.  

The number of Medicare visits conducted through telehealth surged 63-fold during the pandemic, from about 840,000 in 2019 to 52.7 million in 2020, according to a report released by the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Food and Drug Administration authorized administering bamlanivimab and etesivimab together to treat or prevent COVID-19 in all pediatric patients exposed to or testing positive for the virus who are at high risk for progressing to severe disease.

The AHA submitted comments on the Food and Drug Administration’s revised draft guidance on hospital and health system compounding under Section 503A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. 

Reps. Cynthia Axne, D-Iowa, and Susan Wild, D-Pa., and 16 other House Democrats urged President Biden and congressional leaders to take “quick and decisive action” to prevent the 2% Medicare sequester cuts and 4% statutory Pay-As-You-Go sequester from taking effect Jan. 1.

AHA strongly urged the departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury and Office of Personnel Management to restore the independence of the independent dispute resolution process in the No Surprises Act Part 2 regulations.  

Although the COVID-19 marathon is not yet over, it’s a good time to pause and consider the health care landscape ahead.