(June 21, 2024) – The American Hospital Association convenes its Regional Policy Board meetings across the country several times per year. These meetings are an opportunity for hospital leaders to share their views on policy issues and provide a perspective representing their state. Kansas is very fortunate to have several thought leaders who attend the AHA RPB meetings. The Kansas representatives include Melissa Atkins, Graham County Hospital, Hill City; Larry Van Der Wege, Lindsborg Community Hospital; Dr. Sherri Vaughn, MD, The University of Kansas Health System; and Dr. Alan Verrill, MD, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission. Last week, the AHA Region 6 meeting had hospital leaders from Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. The meeting agenda was filled with important and timely issues, such as cybersecurity, health plan accountability, drug shortages and maternity care in rural areas.
To start off the meeting, the AHA leadership team provided a legislative and regulatory update and offered insights into the current political environment and the upcoming national elections. Among the health care issues being advocated by AHA included protecting against site-neutral payment policies, providing Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cut relief, supporting the health care workforce, extending the Medicare Dependent Hospital and Low Volume Hospital targeted payments, and voicing concerns related to CMS' nursing home staffing requirements. While Congress only has a limited number of legislative days remaining, it is essential for Kansas hospital leaders and our colleagues across the nation to engage in political dialogue and discussion. AHA has been at the forefront of this process through several initiatives including the Coalition to Strengthen America's Healthcare. This coalition was formed more than 20 years ago to preserve access to the best quality health care for patients. It represents the interests of the community, children, teaching, public, religious, rehabilitation, behavioral health, rural and long-term care hospitals and their patients. The coalition educates policymakers and the public using advertising, grassroots engagement and social media. I have been impressed with many of the resources available through the coalition. You can learn more about the coalition by visiting the coalition's website, strengthenhealthcare.org.
A significant portion of the RPB meeting focused on discussing AHA's proposed health plan accountability advocacy agenda. While positive steps have been made on the national and state level to advance policy issues and raise awareness of the challenges patients and providers face with some commercial health insurance carriers, there is still much work to be done. Among the policy issues being considered include requiring health plan clinician reviewers to sign denial letters and ensuring cost-based reimbursement for Critical Access Hospitals. As it relates to the clinician reviewers, it is often challenging to identify who is responsible for a denial of care because health plan clinicians will not sign a denial. By requiring a clinician to do so, it will add a new level of accountability and help ensure the new Medicare Advantage regulations are being followed. These regulations require a clinician reviewer to have the expertise or training in the medical discipline for the service being requested. Regarding the cost-based reimbursement for CAHs, there are several pathways under consideration to accomplish this goal, including a blanket requirement for Medicare Advantage plans to cover 101 percent of CAH cost. The Kansas Hospital Association will continue to collaborate with AHA on these and other policy issues that benefit Kansas hospitals.
Like KHA, AHA is in the process of reviewing and updating its next three-year strategic plan (2025-2027). The RPB members provided valuable feedback and guidance to the AHA team regarding its current plan. Many of the priority issues highlighted during the RPB meeting focused on the same topics we have been hearing from the KHA membership: improving financial stability, cultivating a sustainable and qualified workforce, and advocating for public policies to ensure patients have access to the best care possible.
As always, the AHA team did a tremendous job developing the agenda and facilitating the discussion. I appreciate their leadership and the great input offered by our Kansas colleagues!
--Chad Austin