Regulatory Relief

The regulatory burden faced by hospitals is substantial and unsustainable.

Every day, hospitals, health systems and post-acute care providers confront the daunting task of complying with a growing number of federal regulations. They are constantly challenged to understand and implement new or revised regulations, while maintaining their core mission of providing high-quality patient care.

Providers appreciate that federal regulation is intended to ensure that health care patients receive safe, high-quality care, and prioritize it as a critical part of their day-to-day work.

But the scope and pace of the changes being made is out-stripping many providers’ ability to absorb them. At the same time, many of these regulations do not improve the quality of patient care or access to services.

Providers need relief now. Read on for more information and resources on the AHA's regulatory relief agenda.

The sheer volume of regulations on the books and the scope of change required in meeting them are outstripping the hospital field’s ability to absorb them. Fortunately, there has been growing recognition of this fact from the Administration and those on Capitol Hill, along with some measurable…
AHA participated today in a stakeholder listening session hosted by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma to formally launch the agency’s regulatory relief effort.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will host an Oct. 27 webinar on applying the new Medicare payment codes for behavioral health integration services, including collaborative care. The codes, applauded by the AHA, were introduced this year under the physician fee schedule…
Hospitals, health systems and post-acute care providers spend nearly $39 billion a year on administrative activities related to regulatory compliance, according to a study released yesterday by the AHA.The average-sized hospital spends $7.6 million annually to comply with federal regulations, equal…
Hospitals, health systems and post-acute care providers spend nearly $39 billion a year on administrative activities related to regulatory compliance, according to a study released today by the AHA. The average-sized hospital spends $7.6 million annually to comply with federal regulations, equal to…
The House Energy and Commerce Committee today held a hearing on the administration’s progress in carrying out provisions of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act and the 21st Century Cures Act, enacted last year to address the opioid epidemic. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle…
The ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ Association today released a new analysis showing that providers spend nearly $39 billion a year solely on administrative activities related to regulatory compliance.
Regulations are essential to ensure safety and accountability. However, the rapid increase in the scope and volume of mandatory requirements diverts resources from the patient-centered mission of health systems, hospitals and post-acute care providers.