News

The FBI, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency and the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center Aug. 29 issued a joint advisory to warn of Iranian-based cyber actors leveraging unauthorized network access to U.S. organizations, including health care organizations, to facilitate, execute and profit from future ransomware attacks by apparently Russian-affiliated ransomware gangs.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will not appeal its loss in American Hospital Association v. Becerra. The AHA, joined by the Texas Hospital Association, Texas Health Resources, and United Regional Health Care System, last November sued HHS to bar enforcement of a new rule adopted in guidance by the Office for Civil Rights titled “Use of Online Tracking Technologies by HIPAA Covered Entities and Business Associates,” which prevented hospitals and health systems from using standard third-party web technologies that capture IP addresses on key portions of their public-facing webpages.

If Johnson & Johnson moves forward with its plan to undermine the 340B Drug Pricing Program by unilaterally imposing a rebate model rather than the longstanding upfront discount model, the Health Resources and Services Administration should take “immediate enforcement action,” including assessing civil monetary penalties on Johnson & Johnson for intentionally overcharging 340B hospitals, the AHA said Aug. 28 in a letter to HRSA. 

Cybersecurity experts from the AHA and Microsoft discuss the urgent need to build a cyber-strong workforce, particularly in rural hospitals and health systems, and how methods such as re-skilling can sustain permanent cyber readiness.

AHA Aug. 23 has named James “Scott” Gee as deputy national advisor for cybersecurity and risk.

Johnson & Johnson announced Aug. 23 that it would be fundamentally changing the way it makes 340B pricing available for two of its most popular products, Stelara and Xarelto.

The Food and Drug Administration Aug. 22 granted emergency use authorization for two new combined COVID-19 and influenza tests.

The Health Resources and Services Administration announced Aug. 20 $1.4 billion in program funding for individuals with HIV who have low incomes to receive medication, health care and support services.

Two clinicians and a vehicle — that's the model Sheppard Pratt has been using to give behavioral health access to its communities.

The Department of Health and Human Services Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) this week released an advisory about Everest, a ransomware-as-a-service group increasingly targeting the health care field.

A Texas federal court Aug. 20 ruled set aside the Federal Trade Commission’s Non-Compete Clause Final Rule. U.S. District Judge Ada Brown held the FTC lacked the authority to enact the rule, which would ban, as an unfair method of competition, contractual terms that prohibit workers from pursuing certain employment after their contract with an employer ends.

The Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 data tracker shows an 18.1% test positivity rate for the week ending Aug. 10, the highest it has been since January 2022.

The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services Aug. 20 released a report presenting data on complaints and enforcement efforts by the agency concerning title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, which includes both the surprise billing and price transparency provisions of the No Surprises Act.

Boston Medical Center is the winner of the AHA’s 2024 Foster G. McGaw Prize, which recognizes the efforts of hospitals and health systems to improve the health and well-being of their communities.

The Organ Donation and Transplantation Alliance has created new resources for health care providers to encourage more organ donation and transplants.

The Centers for Disease Control Aug. 16 issued an advisory to clinicians and public health officials warning of increased Oropouche virus disease, which insects like mosquitos transmit.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Aug. 15 released a state funding notice for the Cell and Gene Therapy Access Model.

The latest Arnold Ventures-backed report from Third Way uses flawed tools and data to push a false narrative about the critical role hospitals and health systems play for the patients and communities they serve, according to an AHA blog published Aug. 16.

The White House this week announced plans to improve health insurance for consumers, with a particular focus on easing claims and appeals processes.

Hospitals and health systems — and the women and men who work there — are the heart of health care.