Healthcare Associations

This page includes news coverage of primary healthcare business and policy setting associations. Find news specific to each organization by following these links: American Hospital Association (AHA), American Medical Association (AMA), College of American Pathologists (CAP), Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS), College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), and the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA). Find focused news coverage for Cardiology societies or Radiology associations.

‘Concerning’ data connect industry payments to cardiologists with medical device use
U.S. physicians often receive payments from medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies. New research in JAMA found a connection between receiving such payments and using specific devices—should the industry be concerned?
AMGA condemns FTC ban on noncompetes in healthcare
The healthcare employers’ trade group said a nationwide ban on noncompete contracts will stifle investment in new technologies.
Critics call out ‘woefully inadequate’ CMS proposal for inpatient Medicare payments
CMS has issued its proposed rule for the 2025 Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment system, suggesting a payment increase of 2.6%. According to the American Hospital Association, this update would not be enough at a time when hospitals are already struggling to stay open.
Falls, infections much more likely among Medicare patients treated at private equity-owned hospitals
Private equity is becoming more and more influential in many healthcare specialties, including cardiology. This has prompted increased speculation about the impact such investments may have on patient outcomes.
AMA takes physicians’ collective temperature on current, planned use of AI
For AI to achieve sweeping adoption across U.S. medicine, physicians will need to be assured they won’t be held liable should clinical algorithms make mistakes.

AMA 2017: Injecting health systems science into med school curriculums

Health systems have appeared eager to partner with medical schools on preparing medical school students for the value-based care world in which they’ll be practicing, though some educators are worried about being lost in that transition.

June 16, 2017

AMA 2017: Delegates take aim at Trump with new policies

The American Medical Association (AMA) adopted a wide range of new policies at its annual meeting of delegates in Chicago, ranging from more practice-oriented concerns to politically-charged resolutions related to the positions of President Donald Trump.

June 15, 2017

AHA asks Congress to expand access to patient data

AHA to CMS: Suspend hospital star ratings, eCQM reporting

In a letter to CMS, the American Hospital Association (AHA) recommended the agency’s deregulation efforts begin with suspending the hospital star ratings, which it called “inaccurate and misleading.”

June 14, 2017

What AMA delegates will vote on at 2017 meeting

The 2017 annual meeting of the American Medical Association’s House of Delegates will take place June 10-14 in Chicago, with educational sessions beginning on June 9. Like every year, delegates have a full slate of proposed resolutions—some more political than related to practice—to consider.

June 8, 2017

6 findings from HIMSS 2017 Precision Medicine Study

The combination of precision medicine and information technology (IT) has the potential to improve patient outcomes. But many healthcare organizations are slow to pursue integration. A recently released report, “2017 Precision Medicine Study," from Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) outlines how healthcare organizations view the expansion and improvement of IT with precision medicine.

June 6, 2017

Health IT groups oppose $22M cut to ONC in Trump’s budget

Reducing funding to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) from $60 million to $38 million, as the Trump administration has proposed, may hamper advancements in interoperability and the goals of 21st Century Cures Act, according to several leading health IT groups.

May 25, 2017

ONC budget cut by $22 million under Trump

Under President Donald Trump's proposed budget, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) will lose $22 million in funding. The 36 percent reduction cuts the $60 million for ONC to $38 million in 2018.

May 24, 2017

HFMA ANI 2017 preview: ‘Healthcare finance has always been about change’

Policy uncertainty, changing reimbursement models and price transparency are just some of the topics expected to be discussed at the Healthcare Financial Management Association’s upcoming Annual National Institute, which runs from June 25 to 28 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

May 22, 2017

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

‘Concerning’ data connect industry payments to cardiologists with medical device use

U.S. physicians often receive payments from medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies. New research in JAMA found a connection between receiving such payments and using specific devices—should the industry be concerned?

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiology groups share key update: ABMS seeking feedback on proposed Board of Cardiovascular Medicine

Five of the largest U.S. medical societies focused on cardiovascular health are one step closer to seeing their paradigm-shifting proposal become a reality.

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiologists, thoracic surgeons applaud FTC’s ban of most noncompete clauses

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions and Society of Thoracic Surgeons have both shared statements in support of the ban, which is already being challenged in court. The American Hospital Association, meanwhile, opposes the policy shift, saying it “errs by seeking to create a one-size-fits-all rule”