Read about how to check your voter registration before the Oct. 11 deadline, the AzHHA Quarterly Financial Analysis and the 340B cut halts.
New hospital financial report details significant challenges
Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA) released a new hospital financial analysis Friday that reveals a bleak picture of Arizona hospital finances. The AzHHA Quarterly Financial Analysis examines first and second quarter 2022 financials relative to the previous year among 21 member hospitals. The data show hospital net operating margins fell from an average of 4.6% in 2021 to .5% in the first quarter of 2022 and then plunged to -8.7% in the second quarter of 2022. AzHHA President and CEO, Ann-Marie Alameddin, explained the losses have been driven by extraordinary inflation in the labor and supply markets, with contract labor increasing by 170% in the first quarter of 2022 and by 231% during the second quarter compared to the same periods in 2021. Review the report and read more media reports in the In the News section below.
Voter Registration Deadline Oct. 11
If you plan to vote in the election on November 8, the deadline to register is next week, Tuesday, October 11. If you’re not sure whether your voter registration is active or if you need to update your address, you can update or check your voter registration file with the Arizona Secretary of State here. When you log in, the portal will also show your City Council district, your Congressional district, your legislative district, and much more. Additionally, if you live in Maricopa County, visit Be Ballot Ready to check your registration status and address. As healthcare leaders in Arizona, our work is to improve the health and well-being of our communities. It’s critical that we bring this perspective to the polls with us. Exercise your civic duty by checking your voter registration and remembering to vote in the upcoming election!
HHS must immediately halt 340B cuts
Last week the United States District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must immediately stop the cuts made to certain hospitals that participate in the 340B program. Previously the Supreme Court had ruled that HHS does not have the discretion to change 340B reimbursement rates without gathering data on what hospitals pay for outpatient drugs. They ruled that the reimbursement rates for 2018 and 2019 were unlawful, and those cuts need to be repaid. Hospitals are still waiting to find out if the cuts to qualifying hospitals in 2020-2022 will be repaid and whether the reimbursements will be completed without penalizing other hospitals.
President Biden signs continuing resolution
On Friday, President Biden signed a Continuing Resolution to fund the government at current levels until Dec. 16, 2022. This included an extension of the funding for Medicare Dependent Hospital and Low Volume Assistance Programs (which would have expired without this extension). The legislation offsets this Medicare spending via the Medicare Improvement Fund, which signals that further extensions will need to be offset.
Aya Healthcare goes platinum at the 2022 Annual Leadership Conference
AzHHA is proud to present Aya Healthcare as a Platinum sponsorship of the 2022 Annual Leadership Conference taking place Oct. 19-21, 2022 at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson. Aya Healthcare is the largest healthcare staffing company in the United States. They are a data-driven, market leader with the only technology platform that connects hospitals and healthcare facilities with the widest base of clinical job seekers at scale. Their digital-first strategy and algorithm-driven personalized touchpoints drive further engagement on the platform, to quickly place high-quality clinicians—where and when needed—to help hospital clients effectively serve their communities. Thank you to our Platinum sponsor!
Register now for AzHHA’s premier event bringing together healthcare executives, trustees, thought leaders, legislators and community partners from across the state for two and a half days of education and networking. Find details on the conference agenda here. Book your room TODAY!
2022 United Against the Flu Campaign
American Hospital Association (AHA) continues its annual health initiative aligned with national health care and the CDC to highlight the importance of vaccinations. United Against the Flu campaign delivers the importance of influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations. Visit United Against the Flu Campaign for materials and additional information.
Use the CDC’s website to search by zip code for a COVID-19 vaccine booster near you and visit United Against the Flu | AHA to find a flu shot near you.
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 2-29 – Virtual Run into Fall 5K Walk and Run
Participate in Fort Defiance Indian Hospital Board, Inc. Tsehootsooi Medical Center Virtual Run Into Fall 5k Walk and Run Series from Oct. 2-29, 2022. Click to register for the event. Registration closes Oct. 7, 2022. Contact Danelle Lee, HPDP Specialist at 928-729-8874 or [email protected] for more information.
October 14-15 – CardioVascular Interventions Summit
The CardioVascular Symposium is now the CardioVascular Interventions Summit (CVIS) Oct. 14-15, 2022, at El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort. CVIS 2022 will provide comprehensive updates on the management of cardiovascular disease and will review the latest evidence-based research from Tucson Medical Center and others. Register and learn more about the event here.
October 19-21 – 2022 Annual Leadership Conference
Register now for AzHHA’s premiere event - the 2022 Annual Leadership Conference Oct. 19-21, 2022, at the majestic Lowes Ventana Canyon in Tucson. The AzHHA Annual Leadership Conference brings together healthcare CEOs, leaders, legislators and community partners from across the state for two and a half days of education, recognition and networking. Register here.
October 26–28 - National Pediatric Disaster Conference – California Earthquake Response
This two-day Significant Event Readiness Forum (or SERF) will provide an environment for exploring opportunities along the disaster response continuum. SERFs are not exercises. However, objectives and evolving scenarios foster needed discourse. This year’s conference will be virtual. Click here to learn more about the event and watch for registration to open soon.
November 1 – Introduction to POLST workshops
Join Physician orders for life-sustaining treatment paradigm (POLST) for their one-hour virtual workshops equipping healthcare professionals with knowledge and resources to begin using POLST in Arizona. The objectives are to describe what POLST is at the state and national level, explain why POLST is important, define the population for POLST, when to begin the conversation and who completes POLST, describe the process for completing, reviewing and updating POLST, and learn the process of submitting healthcare planning documents to the Arizona Healthcare Directive Registry.
Register for these virtual workshops below:
November 10-13 – 19th Annual Amigos Trail Ride and Drive
Attend the Wickenburg Community Hospital Foundation 19th Annual Amigos Trail Ride and Drive Nov. 10-13, 2022, at Boyd Ranch, Wickenburg. The event offers four days of guided trails, gymkhana, trail-trial challenge and trail ride options. Email [email protected] or call 928-668-1812 for more information. Registration may be found here.
IN THE NEWS
Report: Arizona hospitals experiencing more financial challenges
12news
5 federal healthcare updates
Becker’s Hospital Review
Supreme Court declines 10 states' challenge to CMS' vaccine mandate
Becker’s Hospital Review
AzHHA recaps ‘unique’ legislative session in 2022 Legislative Report
State of Reform
The finances of Arizona hospitals are bleak, the association says
KJZZ