Nursing Homes See Record Number Of New COVID Cases

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and assisted living communities across the country that provide care to approximately five million people each year, released a report today showing new COVID cases in nursing homes in the U.S. has now reached a record number of weekly new cases this month due to the community spread among the general population, surpassing previous peaks since the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) started tracking cases in nursing homes. READ MORE

New AMA Policy Calls for Increased COVID-19 Prevention in Correctional and Immigration Facilities, Supports Compassionate Release of Incarcerated Patients

CHICAGO - In light of the COVID-19 pandemic's disproportionate impact on individuals in congregate settings, such as correctional and immigrant detention facilities, the American Medical Association (AMA) adopted policy today in support of improved public health measures to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, and other contagious infectious diseases, in these settings. READ MORE

Nursing Homes COVID Cases Increasing Due To Community Spread

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and assisted living communities across the country that provide care to approximately five million people each year, released a report today showing new COVID cases are increasing in nursing homes in the U.S. due to the community spread among the general population. READ MORE

ACEP Rebuts President Trump's False Statements about Overcounting COVID-19 Deaths

In response to President Trump's baseless claims about physicians miscounting deaths due to COVID-19, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) released the following statement: READ MORE

AMA announces new CPT codes for multi-virus tests to detect COVID-19 and flu

The American Medical Association (AMA) today published an update to the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code set that includes new code additions and editorial revisions for reporting medical services sparked by the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. READ MORE

New MGMA Research Provides Benchmarking Data for Medical Practices to Navigate through the COVID-19 Pandemic

As the healthcare industry continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, benchmarking operations through 2020 can provide a strong baseline for medical practices and their ability to survive in the coming months and along their road to recovery. READ MORE

AMA Statement on CDC Changes to COVID-19 Testing Guidance

"Months into this pandemic, we know COVID-19 is spread by asymptomatic people. Suggesting that people without symptoms, who have known exposure to COVID-positive individuals, do not need testing is a recipe for community spread and more spikes in coronavirus. READ MORE

ACHA Releases New Guidelines on Supporting Vulnerable Campus Populations During COVID-19 Pandemic

The American College Health Association (ACHA) announces the release of its new guidelines, Supporting Vulnerable Campus Populations During the COVID-19 Pandemic. READ MORE

REPORT: COVID Cases In Nursing Homes Surpass Peak Level Back In May

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and assisted living communities across the country that provide care to approximately five million people each year, released an updated report today showing the major spike of new COVID cases in nursing homes has now surpassed the peak level back on May 31, according to updated data released from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). READ MORE

DATA: Nursing Homes See Spike in New COVID Cases Due to Community Spread

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and assisted living communities across the country that provide care to approximately five million people each year, released a report today showing nursing homes in the U.S. have experienced an alarming spike in new COVID cases due to community spread among the general population according to recent data recently released from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). READ MORE

AMA, Public Health Leaders Urge Updated Prioritization Guidelines as COVID Testing Resources Remain Limited

CHICAGO - With COVID-19 testing resources still limited and patients in many places waiting over a week to receive test results, the American Medical Association (AMA) and other public health leaders today urged Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to update testing prioritization guidelines so tests go to those with medically-indicated need and those identified by well-defined public health surveillance efforts. READ MORE

AHA, AMA and ANA Release Public Service Announcment As Part Of Campaign Urging The Public To Wear A Mask To Help Stop The Spread Of COVID-19

Together, the American Hospital Association (AHA), the American Medical Association (AMA), and American Nurses Association (ANA) released a public service announcement (PSA) today urging the American public to take three simple steps to help stop the spread of COVID-19: wear a mask, practice physical distancing and wash hands frequently. READ MORE

New Analysis Shows Dramatic Impact Of Covid-19 On Hospital & Health System Financial Health

A new analysis prepared by Kaufman, Hall & Associates, LLC and released by the American Hospital Association (AHA) today highlights the dire impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the financial health of hospitals and health systems. READ MORE

COVIDEXITSTRATEGY.ORG, United States Of Care, Resolve To Save Lives, Duke-Margolis Center For Health Policy And COVID19STATEPOLICY.ORG Address Surge In COVID-19 Cases, CDC Data, New Mask Data

Earlier today CovidExitStrategy.org, United States of Care, Resolve to Save Lives, Covid19StatePolicy.org, and the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy held a press webinar outlining new data on COVID-19 surges, effectiveness of masks and also addressed the new policy of data being sent to HHS rather than the DCD. You can view the video of the webinar here and listen to the audio here. READ MORE

Nursing Home Industry Applauds the Trump Administration for Providing An Additional $5 Billion to Help Protect Residents and Caregivers

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and assisted living communities across the country that provide care to approximately five million people each year, released the following statement today after President Trump announced $5 billion in additional Provider Relief Funds allocated for nursing homes. READ MORE

Federal Support for Assisted Living Communities In Next Stimulus Package

We, the undersigned organizations write on behalf of the more than 2 million seniors and their front-line caregivers across 21,600 senior living communities. Our organizations represent assisted living, memory care, continuing care retirement communities, and independent living communities. READ MORE

AHA, AMA, ANA Urge Congress To Include Additional $100 Billion For Emergency Relief Fund In COVID-19 Relief Package

America's front line health care personnel continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic as it continues to spike in numerous states including Texas, Florida, California and Arizona. READ MORE

USofCare Leads Congressional Sign-on Letter of Business, Medical and Service Groups to Stress Urgency for More Contact Tracing

(Washington, DC) On Monday, United States of Care (USofCare) spearheaded a letter to Congressional leadership -- from public health experts and business and community leaders -- calling for more funding for contact tracing in the upcoming coronavirus relief bill. Joining USofCare were American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Health Security, Pacific Business Group on Health, and Service Year Alliance. READ MORE

AMA Statement on HHS COVID-19 Data Collection Changes

"Accurate, timely, transparent data is critical in public health, particularly as we face a still-worsening COVID-19 pandemic." READ MORE

Emergency Physicians & Residents Discouraged by U.S. Restrictions on International Health Workforce

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- America's leading medical associations, including the American College of Emergency Physicians and the American Medical Association, are cautioning the Trump Administration that its decision to restrict visas for qualified foreign workers could have a dangerous impact on access to care for our nation's patients. READ MORE

With COVID Surging and Workforce Stretched, AMA Implores Administration to Change Proposed Regulation On International Students

CHICAGO - The American Medical Association (AMA) urged Trump administration officials today to reconsider its ill-advised regulation on international students that could jeopardize the status of current medical students. READ MORE

Sumner Regional Medical Center Emergency Department clarifies criteria for Covid-19 evaluation

Sumner Regional Medical Center's Emergency Department is open 24 hours, 7 days each week to evaluate and treat community members that have emergency medical needs. To better serve our community during the Covid-19 pandemic, some daytime in-car evaluations are being conducted on possible Covid-19 patients to minimize the risk of infection to other ER patients, as well as our staff and physicians. READ MORE

AHA Statement On HHS Announcement On Distribution Of Additional Funds For Hospitals Serving Rural Patients & Hospitals With High Medicaid Volume

July 10, 2020 - The AHA is pleased that HHS will be distributing additional funds from the CARES Act emergency relief fund to hospitals serving rural patients and hospitals serving high numbers of Medicaid and uninsured patients, as we have urged. READ MORE

Urgent Team offers on-site COVID-19 testing to employers

July 7, 2020 - Urgent Team Walk-in Urgent Care is now offering on-site COVID-19 testing to employers in Nashville and the surrounding areas of Franklin, Madison, Hermitage and Murfreesboro. READ MORE

AMA, AHA, ANA issue open letter urging public to wear a mask to stop COVID-19 spread

CHICAGO - Leading U.S. medical and health organizations today called on the American people to stay home to take simple steps, including wearing a mask and practicing physical distancing, to stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives. READ MORE

AMA to VP, FEMA: Take Immediate Steps to Address PPE Shortage in Physician Practices

CHICAGO - In letters to Vice President Pence and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the American Medical Association (AMA) urged immediate action to address ongoing shortages and access issues related to personal protective equipment (PPE) in ambulatory settings. READ MORE

AMA Statement on Intimidation, Threats Toward Public Health Officials

"The AMA is concerned by recent news reports that public health officials have been intimidated and threatened for their work establishing local and state policies intended to stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives. READ MORE

AHCA/NCAL Reacts to Distribution of Provider Relief Funds for Medicaid Providers

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and long term care facilities across the country that provide care to approximately five million people each year, released the following statement applauding the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Trump Administration for today's announcement of new grant distributions for Medicaid-dependent providers. READ MORE

AHA Sends Letter To HHS Requesting Additional Emergency Funding READ MORE

AHCA/NCAL Reacts to Distribution of Provider Relief Funds for Skilled Nursing Facilities

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and long term care facilities across the country that provide care to approximately five million people each year, released the following statement after HHS announced $4.9 billion in funding to help skilled nursing facilities respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. READ MORE

AHCA/NCAL Provides Roadmap to Governors to Address Long Term Care Workforce Needs During Pandemic

The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) released a "Long Term Care Workforce Roadmap for Governors and States," outlining ways state public health officials can help nursing homes and assisted living communities address workforce needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. READ MORE

Rural Health Association of Tennessee applauds efforts to support rural hospitals during COVID-19

MAY 19, 2020 - Today Governor Lee announced the recipients of $10 million in Small and Rural Hospital Readiness Grants to support hospitals that are facing financial strain due to the ongoing response to COVID-19. READ MORE

AHCA/NCAL Releases Cost of SNF COVID-19 Testing

The American Health Care Association and National Center of Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) has released a state-by-state breakdown of the estimated cost to test every nursing home resident and staff member for COVID-19. READ MORE

AMA Cautions Physicians, Public About Limitations of Antibody Testing for SARS-CoV-2

With a growing number of tests claiming to identify people who have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 and potentially immune to COVID-19, the American Medical Association (AMA) today announced guidance to help ensure physicians and the general public are aware of the limitations and potential uses of serological testing, also known as antibody testing. READ MORE

Survey: U.S. Voters Strongly Support More Funding For Nursing Homes And Assisted Living Communities In Response To Coronavirus Pandemic

According to a new national survey, a vast majority of U.S. voters believe long term care facilities, including nursing homes and assisted living communities, need more support from the government and the lack of support thus far has negatively impacted their ability to protect seniors. READ MORE