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Read complete coverage of the AHA Annual meeting, including news from top AHA leaders, federal lawmakers, government officials and more.��

Experts air proposals to rein in rising prescription drug prices

��A panel of health care pharmaceutical experts��offered a range of approaches to help rein in what all agreed is an unsustainable increase in prescription drug prices. .

��Health plan consolidation raises serious concerns��

The two major proposed mergers in the health insurance sector – Aetna-Humana and Anthem-Cigna – should trouble providers and consumers, because evidence suggests health plan consolidation is bad for patients, said panelists during a May 2 executive briefing at the AHA annual meeting..

Hospitals, post-acute care providers look to the future

Post-acute care (PAC) providers are critical partners in the transition toward a more integrated, value-based delivery system, panelists said at a May 1 special AHA Annual meeting briefing. .

Hospitals urged to 'find their voice' on advancing equity

��Speaking April 1 at a diversity roundtable at the AHA annual meeting, a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) official expressed her support for the AHA’s #123forEquity Pledge to Eliminate Health Care Disparities, and encouraged hospital leaders to “find their voice” on achieving health care. ��.

Pollack: Hospitals redefining the 'H' to continuously meet patient, community needs

Kicking off the AHA annual meeting’s Federal Forum, AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack told hospital and health system leaders that redefining the “H” can secure hospital’s critical role in public life and responds to the growing demands of managing chronic illnesses and consumerism. .

Nickels updates hospital leaders on legislation, AHA advocacy goals

This year’s wildly unpredictable presidential campaign and a truncated legislative calendar has Congress less active and more cautious than usual, AHA Executive Vice President Tom Nickels told AHA members at the 2016 Annual Membership Meeting. Congressional leaders are looking ahead to 2017 and “see an opportunity to frame an agenda” that could include action on entitlement reform and the Affordable Care Act, he said. Still, he says there is a good chance for passing bipartisan legislation this year on funding to combat the Zika virus, addressing opioid abuse, improving behavioral health services and spurring medical innovation. .

AHA chairman calls on hospital leaders to continue to advance health in America

In a rapidly changing health care environment, all hospitals seek a path forward that “leads to better health outcomes, better services at lower cost,” AHA Chairman Jim Skogsbergh said, following his investiture at the AHA Annual Membership Meeting in Washington, D.C.��.

Slavitt: CMS committed to administrative simplification

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt told AHA members that the agency is committed to administrative simplification, including improving Medicare’s Recovery Audit Contractor program and aligning Medicare, Medicaid and commercial health insurance programs.��.

White House chief of staff lauds hospitals for commitment to communities

“Hospitals put politics and labels aside and get things done for the people in [their] communities,” White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough today told AHA members at the association’s annual meeting. He commended the field for its commitment to expanding coverage, improving the quality of care and reducing costs. .

Urban League CEO commends hospitals for leadership on health equity

Eliminating disparities in care is the “next frontier” in the transformation of America’s health care, National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial told AHA members at the association’s annual meeting, commending AHA “for developing concrete steps to guide each and every one of you in the work you do in our communities.” .

Schumer voices support for flexible HOPD rule

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) told AHA members he shares their concerns about “site-neutral” reimbursements for off-campus hospital outpatient departments and is “working to ensure that you are appropriately paid for the services you provide – especially when we should be incentivizing outpatient care as many of you have been investing in for years.” .

Goodlatte urges Senate to pass SMARTER Act

In remarks at the AHA annual meeting, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Robert Goodlatte (R-VA) thanked AHA for educating committee members about the Standard Mergers and Acquisitions Review Through Equal Rules Act and urged the Senate to quickly pass the AHA-backed bill, which cleared the House in March. .

Hoyer says Congress needs to act on opioids, Zika

Congress needs to help “providers, families and patients cope with the growing epidemic of opioid addiction,” House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said at the AHA Annual Membership Meeting in Washington, D.C. .

Brady calls for regulatory relief for hospitals

Congress must move forward with “bold solutions” to protect Medicare for today’s seniors and preserve the program for future generations, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) ��told hospital leaders at the AHA Annual Membership Meeting in Washington, D.C. .

Massachusetts General Hospital receives Foster McGaw Prize

Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston received the 2015 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service May 3 at the AHA Annual Membership Meeting. .

William Petasnick receives Distinguished Service Award

William Petasnick, president and CEO emeritus of Froedtert Health in Milwaukee, and a former AHA chairman, received the AHA’s 2016 Distinguished Service Award..��

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