/ en Sat, 21 Jun 2025 17:30:12 -0500 Fri, 20 Jun 25 16:19:14 -0500 /news/headline/2025-06-20-cms-releases-final-rule-marketplace-integrity-and-affordability <p>The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services June 20 <a href="https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-finalizes-major-rule-lower-individual-health-insurance-premiums-americans" target="_blank">announced</a> it is finalizing its <a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/cms-9884-f-2025-pi-rule-master-5cr-062025.pdf" target="_blank">2025 Marketplace Integrity and Affordability final rule</a>. The rule shortens the open enrollment period for the federal marketplace to Nov. 1-Dec. 15 starting in 2027, and limits open enrollment periods for state-based marketplaces to Nov. 1-Dec. 31. The rule also includes a change to the premium adjustment percentage that would increase the maximum annual cost sharing limitation. Additionally, the rule makes updates to the income verification process and pre-enrollment verification process for special enrollment periods, changes to the essential health benefits, modifications to the redetermination and re-enrollment processes, and ends a SEP for low-income individuals, among other policies. Many of the provisions reinstate policies finalized during the prior Trump administration.</p><p>The AHA in April expressed <a href="/lettercomment/2025-04-11-aha-comments-cms-marketplace-integrity-and-affordability-rule" target="_blank">concerns</a> to CMS after the rule was proposed. CMS had estimated that 750,000 to 2 million consumers could lose their coverage due to the provisions. The AHA encouraged CMS to pause finalizing many of the proposals to give it and stakeholders additional time to consider the impacts while also taking action to stop brokers responsible for inappropriate enrollments.</p> Fri, 20 Jun 2025 16:19:14 -0500 Headline /news/headline/2025-06-20-iowa-district-court-vacates-cms-minimum-nurse-staffing-requirements <p>The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa June 18 <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-iand-1_24-cv-00110/pdf/USCOURTS-iand-1_24-cv-00110-0.pdf" target="_blank">vacated</a> components of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services鈥� minimum nurse staffing rule requiring nursing homes to have a registered nurse onsite 24/7 and prescribing a minimum total nurse staffing hours per resident day. The court kept in place the rule鈥檚 enhanced facility assessment and Medicaid reporting requirements.</p><p>鈥淐MS鈥檚 general rulemaking power to promulgate 鈥榮uch other requirements as the Secretary deems necessary鈥� does not constitute clear authorization to mandate rigid staffing requirements for [long-term care] facilities,鈥� wrote District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand in the ruling. 鈥淭herefore, I find that CMS did not have authority to promulgate the 24/7 RN requirement and the HPRD requirements pursuant to its health and safety rulemaking authority.鈥�</p><p>A district court in Texas also vacated the minimum staffing mandate in <a href="/news/headline/2025-04-08-district-court-strikes-down-cms-minimum-nurse-staffing-rule" target="_blank">April</a>. The AHA has opposed the staffing mandate, saying in a <a href="/amicus-brief/2024-10-24-amicus-brief-ahatha-nurse-staffing-rule-amicus-brief-ahca-v-becerra-litigation" target="_blank">friend-of-the-court brief</a> in October 2024 that it 鈥渋s not just an overly simplistic and costly solution to the nursing shortage; it is no solution at all.鈥�</p> Fri, 20 Jun 2025 15:52:16 -0500 Headline /news/headline/2025-06-20-video-highlights-how-medicaid-cuts-could-impact-nursing-other-health-care-jobs <p>A new video in the AHA鈥檚 series 鈥淢edicaid: Real Lives, Real Care鈥� features insight from Leah Blackwell, R.N., vice president and chief nursing officer at Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center. Blackwell explains why the loss of Medicaid funding could impact the ability to recruit and retain nurses and other important health care jobs. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK0HH0aNjZM" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH NOW</strong></a></p> Fri, 20 Jun 2025 15:49:52 -0500 Headline /news/headline/2025-06-20-fda-approves-first-semiannual-hiv-prevention-drug <p>The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new, first-of-its-kind semiannual HIV prevention medication, Gilead Sciences <a href="https://www.gilead.com/news/news-details/2025/yeztugo-lenacapavir-is-now-the-first-and-only-fda-approved-hiv-prevention-option-offering-6-months-of-protection" target="_blank">announced</a> June 18. The company said the injectable drug, called Yeztugo, was nearly 100% effective in clinical trials.</p> Fri, 20 Jun 2025 15:46:22 -0500 Headline /news/headline/2025-06-20-applications-open-2026-circle-life-award <p>The AHA鈥檚 <a href="/about/awards/circle-life" target="_blank">Circle of Life Award</a> celebrates innovation in palliative and end-of-life care. Up to three Circle of Life Awards will be presented at the 2026 AHA Leadership Summit, July 12-14, in Denver. The Award Committee also may present Citations of Honor to other noteworthy programs. <a href="https://aha-awards.secure-platform.com/awards" target="_blank">Applications</a> are due noon CT July 15.</p> Fri, 20 Jun 2025 15:43:48 -0500 Headline /news/headline/2025-06-20-new-aha-website-focuses-behavioral-health-care-older-adults <p>As the American population ages, the behavioral health care needs of older adults are becoming an area of vital focus. A new AHA webpage on <a href="/older-adult-behavioral-health" target="_blank">older adult behavioral health</a> features podcasts, infographics and other resources both from the AHA and external organizations that can guide hospitals and health systems to best treat their older patients.</p> Fri, 20 Jun 2025 15:40:23 -0500 Headline /news/headline/2025-06-18-aha-urges-lawmakers-support-key-areas-health-care-fy-2026-appropriations-bill <p>The AHA today commented to <a href="/lettercomment/2025-06-18-aha-recommendations-fy-2026-house-appropriations-funding-health-care-programs" title="house letter">House</a> and <a href="/2025-06-18-aha-recommendations-fy-2026-senate-appropriations-funding-health-care-programs" title="Senate letter">Senate</a> appropriations committee leaders on funding for health care programs in the fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill. The AHA urged the legislators to support programs strengthening the health care workforce, maternal and child health, rural health, disaster preparedness, behavioral health and medical research.</p> Wed, 18 Jun 2025 14:53:37 -0500 Headline /news/headline/2025-06-18-coalition-ad-links-decisions-medicaid-cuts-congress-impacts-hospitals <p><strong>Coalition ad links decisions on Medicaid cuts by Congress to impacts on hospitals</strong></p><p>A new <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzlKN2Txv7g&t=29s" title="resource link">television and digital advertisement</a> launched today by the Coalition to Strengthen America鈥檚 Healthcare connects decisions made in the halls of Congress with devastating impacts that Medicaid cuts could have on patients鈥� access to care nationwide. The ad calls on viewers to urge their senators to protect Medicaid. The ad is the latest in the Coalition鈥檚 鈥淔aces of Medicaid鈥� campaign that highlights the importance of Medicaid to patients and communities across the country.<br><br>The AHA is a founding member of the Coalition.<br><br> </p> Wed, 18 Jun 2025 14:50:01 -0500 Headline /news/headline/2025-06-18-aha-podcast-food-medicine-how-cleveland-clinic-nourishing-community-health <p><strong>AHA podcast: Food as Medicine 鈥� How Cleveland Clinic Is Nourishing Community Health</strong><br>Vickie Johnson, executive vice president and chief community officer at Cleveland Clinic, discusses how the medical center is confronting food insecurity by treating food as a vital part of health care. By combining data, community trust and local partnerships, Cleveland Clinic is nourishing long-term well-being 鈥� one neighborhood at a time. <a href="/advancing-health-podcast/2025-06-18-food-medicine-how-cleveland-clinic-nourishing-community-health" title="pod link"><strong>LISTEN NOW</strong></a><strong> </strong></p> Wed, 18 Jun 2025 14:46:36 -0500 Headline /news/headline/2025-06-17-aha-video-highlights-medicaids-importance-children <p>The latest video in the AHA鈥檚 series 鈥淢edicaid: Real Lives, Real Care鈥� features Becky Pletzer, a licensed clinical social worker from Alaska, explaining why it is important to protect Medicaid for children who rely on it, such as her son, and why her story could apply to anyone. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H5txI6ewoI"><strong>WATCH NOW</strong></a></p> Tue, 17 Jun 2025 16:27:31 -0500 Headline