Policy and Legislation
COVID-19 changed how we think and raises our obligations moving forward, Dowling says.
More than 400 healthcare and technology organizations are calling on Capitol Hill to eliminate arbitrary restrictions while helping FQHCs and critical access hospitals offer wider access to virtual care.
A slowing vaccination rate and more transmissible variants has led to a surge, promoting many to back the mandates.
The funding will target activities to detect and trace infections in homeless shelters, treatment and recovery facilities.
The vaccine still appears to be effective enough to prevent infection and severe illness in most people of all ages.
The bill would extend the 5% Advanced APM incentive payments for an additional six years.
The effort is led by CEO Michael Dowling, Dr. Chethan Sathya of Northwell Health and Dr. Joseph Sakran of Johns Hopkins Hospital.
The impetus is the challenge placed on providers by high patient volumes and long work hours exacerbated by COVID-19.
The IRS requires hospitals to spend on community benefit but doesn't specify what type, for what purpose or how much.
The total yearly penalty ranges from $109,500 to more than $2 million per hospital.