News

The AHA and Joint Commission May 4 announced the launch of the Cyber Resilience Readiness program, an initiative to help hospitals and health systems assess and strengthen their ability to sustain clinical continuity — i.e., safe and quality clinical operations — during cyber-related technology outages for 30 days or longer.

A measles outbreak that reached 997 cases in South Carolina has been declared over, as the 42-day threshold with no new reported cases was reached April 26.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, National Security Agency and international partners have released guidance on adopting agentic artificial intelligence systems.

The Health Resources and Services Administration will award grants to rural hospitals and other providers from two areas of its Rural Communities Opioid Response Program.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has begun collecting private payor rate data through its Fee-for-Service Data Collection System Clinical Lab Fee Schedule Module. CMS has created a guide for hospital outreach laboratories to determine their applicable status.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has opened registration for its seventh annual CMS & Health Level Seven International Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources Connectathon from July 14-16.

AHA members are working every day to expand behavioral health access, integrate care, strengthen the workforce and reduce stigma, often while navigating limited resources and outdated systems that have not kept pace with need.

The House April 29 passed a Senate-approved budget resolution by a 215-211 vote.

The Department of Education April 30 released a final rule that defines the terms “professional student” and “graduate student” to determine federal student loan amounts based on the type of program in which a student is enrolled.

President Trump April 30 announced that Nicole Saphier, M.D., has been nominated to be the next U.S. surgeon general.

Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Michael Bennet, D-Colo., April 30 introduced the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act, legislation that would grant a five-year extension to a Medicare payment model for rural hospitals.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and other federal agencies released a joint guide yesterday for organizations to apply zero trust principles to operational technology systems.

The AHA and the West Health Institute April 29 announced a new three-year initiative to help hospitals and health systems operationalize and scale proven technologies across care environments to improve patient outcomes and support care teams.

The AHA April 29 urged House and Senate appropriations committee leaders to fund health care programs that have been successful in improving access to care for patients and communities nationwide, as the committee begins drafting the fiscal year 2027 appropriations bills. The AHA encouraged Congress to support various programs focusing on the health care workforce, maternal and child health, rural health, disaster preparedness, medical research and behavioral health. Additionally, the AHA urged legislators to include specific bill language that would bar the use of funds for the implementation of a 340B Rebate Model Program at the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has issued a request for nominations for candidates to serve on the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

The Food and Drug Administration April 29 announced results from its testing of more than 300 infant formulas, finding that the majority of samples had undetectable or very low levels of contaminants, deeming the U.S. supply to be safe.

University of Illinois Chicago’s Pauline Maki, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry, psychology, and obstetrics and gynecology, and Makeba Williams, M.D., professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, unpack why menopause care is finally having a breakthrough moment. They explore the real impact of menopause on the brain and body, the gaps in medical training, and what it will take to deliver better care. 

Applications are now open for the AHA Rural Hospital Excellence in Innovation Award, which recognizes and shares the accomplishments of rural hospitals that demonstrate responsiveness, innovation and excellence in developing, implementing and sustaining programs and services.

The Food and Drug Administration April 28 announced its plan to advance the implementation of real-time clinical trials, which invite participants to supply reports and data to the agency during the approved clinical trials rather than at completion.

The AHA submitted a statement for the record to the House Ways and Means Committee for its April 28 hearing with health system CEOs.