Medicare & Medicaid
MedPAC recommends removing the $1 billion in financial penalties hospitals incur each year under two incentive programs.
The new model could reduce the burden for at least half of all safety net hospitals as they care for patients regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
Rankings show 5-and 1-star providers about equally divided as majority fall in the 2-to-4 star categories.
All types of hospitals made the list, from small community facilities to major teaching hospitals, delivering satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Moving too quickly could lead to unintended consequences that could negatively impact patient privacy, physician burden, the AMA said.
CMS is also establishing separate quality ratings for short-stay and long-stay residents.
The move is designed to help the facilities struggling with a declining number of patients and a shifting payer mix.
The agency seeks information on removal of regulatory, operational and financial barriers, but will insurers step into the interstate market?
Gag order prevents Title X providers from telling pregnant patients how and where they can access abortion safely and legally, lawsuit says.
The changes are happening while the Administration is considering other efforts, such as amending the safe harbor rule on rebates.