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Connection Newsletter
By AzHHA Communications ● May 30, 2024
Smart Brevity® count: 5 mins...1282 words
In this issue, read about:
- The latest on the budget and HB2035.
- Tomorrow’s deadline for AzHHA Quality Awards submissions.
- An upcoming member webinar on Arizona abortion law.
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The latest on the budget and HB2035
We are now 144 days into the legislative session with no budget in sight.
- This week has been particularly slow at the legislature, with minimal activity in either chamber due to the holiday and an extended recess.
- However, we anticipate both chambers will resume early next week.
When will we see a budget proposal? Opinions vary, but it’s possible we could see one at some point in June.
Meanwhile, HB2035, which focuses on health insurance accountability, remains active as we explore ways to mitigate the fiscal impact of the fair hearing portion while respecting the sponsor's wishes to keep all aspects of the bill intact.
- Recently, AzHHA staff met with the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) to discuss funding options for the fair hearing process.
- As you may recall from previous updates, DIFI has stated they will need up to three FTEs to manage this portion of the bill.
- Both DIFI and the Office of Administrative Hearings are diligently working through potential solutions, and we appreciate their efforts to keep HB2035 viable.
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Last chance: Apply now for the 2024 AzHHA Quality Awards
Showcase your work: The Second Annual AzHHA Quality Awards are open for submissions from outstanding applicants wanting to highlight their work in:
🏥Patient Safety and Quality
📢Community Engagement
🤰Maternal Health Innovation
Why it matters: These awards celebrate and recognize Arizona’s leaders committed to advancing healthcare through exceptional quality performance, community engagement and a culture of continuous improvement.
Apply now! Read the application instructions and complete the Applicant Information form to get started.
The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. on Friday, May 31, 2024.
What’s next: The outstanding achievements will be honored at the AzHHA Quality Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, during the 2024 Arizona Hospital Leadership Conference.
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Member webinar: Arizona abortion law
AzHHA members are invited to join us for a webinar titled “Arizona Abortion Law: Status Report and a Look at Tough Provider Issues.”
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The webinar will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.
Why it matters: On Tuesday, April 9, 2024, the Arizona Supreme Court issued its opinion on Planned Parenthood of Arizona v. Mayes, declaring that Arizona’s near total abortion ban, whose criminal penalties originated during the Civil War, is the law of the state.
- The webinar will address the Supreme Court’s decision in Mayes’ litigation, the status of the territorial abortion ban, the details of Arizona’s 15-week abortion laws, how EMTALA interacts with the territorial abortion ban and the 15-week ban, recent litigation regarding the FDA’s approval of mifepristone and the upcoming ballot initiative that would make abortion legal through viability.
For more information, please email [email protected].
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Deadline approaching: 2024 Member Survey
AzHHA’s annual member survey will run until the close of business on Monday, June 3, 2024.
- This survey is open to member hospital CEOs.
Why it matters: The survey helps us understand if we are meeting the needs of our members with policy and advocacy work as well as additional services and programs.
The big picture:
- All CEOs of AzHHA member hospitals received the survey link via email on Monday, May 20, 2024.
- It will take no more than five minutes to complete.
What’s next: If you are in the target audience for this survey, please check your email for the direct link to this survey and share your feedback.
Questions? Contact [email protected].
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Five steps of advance care planning
Completing advance care planning documents is a proactive, responsible step towards ensuring that your healthcare journey aligns with your personal values and wishes.
Why it matters: It helps you take control of the unpredictable, offering peace of mind to yourself and those you love.
Here are the five steps to help you with advance care planning:
- Think about what matters most in life.
- Talk with your doctor and loved ones.
- Fill out the documents.
- Share your wishes and your documents.
- Review and update your documents.
What’s next: Use this guide to start your advance care planning today.
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Informational webinar: Feasibility study regarding PACE in Arizona
What’s new: The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is embarking on the initiation of a professional feasibility study to explore and examine the potential of adopting a Program for All-Inclusive Care for Elderly (PACE) line of business.
Why it matters: PACE is a Medicaid optional state plan benefit that provides care to people aged 55 and over who quality for nursing facility care, but who can live in their own homes/communities with the right mix of support services tailored specifically for them.
What’s next: AHCCCS has partnered with Myers and Stauffer to conduct the PACE feasibility study.
- A PACE informational webinar will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, 2024.
- If you are interested in participating in the webinar, you can register here.
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AzHHA announces relaunch of job board
AzHHA is excited to share its new and improved job board, AzHealthJobs.
Go deeper: The new back-end partner, Web Scribble, offers enhanced customer service and a sales team who actively scrub the internet for jobseekers.
- Select from basic, enhanced or premium posting opportunities.
- Customize your postings with corporate branding and gain access to multiple partner job sites with the premium selection.
Benefit to AzHHA members: Use code “AzHHA15” and receive 15% off all job postings and packages through the end of July 2024.
Questions? Contact [email protected] or reach out to Web Scribble directly at [email protected].
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AzHHA releases DataGen reports
In relationship with DataGen, AzHHA distributes reports to hospitals based on information submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. DataGen generates hospital-specific reports which are sent to AzHHA hospital members as part of their membership.
Why it matters: This data helps hospitals understand the financial impact of proposed changes and annual updates.
- The reports can also assist in preparing budgets or benchmarking results with other similar organizations.
The below reports were recently sent to members:
- FFY 2025 LTCH Proposed Rule (sent Wednesday, May 15, 2024)
- Final FFY 2025 Wage Index and Occupational Mix Data Analysis (sent Friday, May 17, 2024)
- FFY 2025 Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule (sent Monday, May 20, 2024)
- 1Q2024 Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program (sent Tuesday, May 21, 2024)
- Hospital-Acquired Condition (HAC) Reduction Program Analysis (sent Wednesday, May 22, 2024)
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Convergence Health Workforce Wellbeing and Violence Prevention Improvement Series
This series was developed based on the growing challenges that our healthcare workforce is facing in the areas of personal wellbeing and physical safety. On Wednesdays through the end of June, hear from experts who are working on these topics every day. Learn more and register.
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 and Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024 - EMTALA webinar series
This members-only webinar series is designed to answer questions about EMTALA, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act. Questions? Reach out to [email protected].
Wednesday, June 26 - Protecting Mothers: Key Takeaways From the 2024 Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Prevention Report
This free webinar dissects the key findings of the report, including factors contributing to maternal mortality rates, disparities in healthcare access and effective interventions to address these issues. Register now.
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