ASPR releases COVID-19 resources

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response has recently posted new and updated COVID-19 resources at its Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange. Read

Remdesivir Allocation Update

We are now in week 3 of the new remdesivir ordering process and the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) has shared information with the Arizona Department of Health Services. Read

AzHHA and partners file amicus brief in support of Governor Ducey’s Executive Order

AzHHA along with other healthcare partners have filed an amicus brief in support of the Governor’s Executive Order closing bars to slow the exponential spread of COVID-19. The brief outlined the profound and troubling impact of COVID on Arizona’s healthcare system, and that temporarily closing bars is supported by science and public health and was the right thing to do. Read

Webinar: COVID-19 & telehealth implementation - Stories from the field

Join the CDC’s Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) in its next call where presenters will discuss telehealth benefits and challenges during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The 1.5-hour webinar will be held on August 4 from 2-3:30 p.m. ET. If you are unable to attend the live COCA Call, the recording will be available for viewing on the COCA Call website a few hours after the live event ends. For call-in information click here.

Deadline extended: CMS 2019 occupational mix survey

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) had previously granted an extension for hospitals to submit the 2019 Occupational Mix survey until August 3 for hospitals nationwide that may be unable to meet the July 1 deadline amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to continued COVID related concerns from hospitals about meeting this deadline, CMS is further extending this deadline to September 3. Read

AzHHA welcomes new director of financial policy and reimbursement

AzHHA is pleased to announce John D. Strasser as its new Director of Financial Policy and Reimbursement. Strasser succeeds Jim Haynes, AzHHA’s long-time CFO who retired earlier this month. This new position will focus specifically on healthcare financial and reimbursement policy development and analysis. Strasser has extensive hospital and health plan experience and has served on AzHHA’s Managed Care Task Force when he was at John C. Lincoln Network. Please help us in welcoming him. Feel free to reach out to him directly at [email protected].

New partnership helps secure ventilators for member hospital Valleywise Health

In partnership with the Dynamic Ventilator Reserve, a public-private partnership between the American Hospital Association, the federal government and leading group purchasing organizations, AzHHA was able to secure ventilators for its member Valleywise Health. This program brings together health systems from across the country to contribute a portion of their ventilator fleets to share with hospitals experiencing shortages. Ventilators are loaned for 30 days with the ability to extend the loan time. On Wednesday, 20 ventilators were delivered to Valleywise Health at no cost thanks to this collaborative program.

Court of Appeals Upholds Decision Allowing Expansion of Short Term Health Plans

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United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on Friday upheld a decision allowing short-term health plans that do not follow regulations outlined by the Affordable Care Act. These plans have been part of an effort to side-step the ACA by President Donald Trump and his administration, as efforts to “repeal and replace” the landmark law have been unsuccessful. Read

Upcoming Events

August 5 - 5 Slides: The Health Care System’s Response to COVID in AZ

Amid rising cases and stretched capacity, the Arizona healthcare system has been facing a challenging situation. While hospitals spent months preparing for a strain on surge capacity, they’re struggling with staffing challenges. Join State of Reform in a virtual event as they discuss this important topic with three of the top healthcare leaders in Arizona and learn the steps that are being taken in responding to the needs of the patient population. AzHHA’s President and CEO Ann-Marie Alameddin will be one of the featured speakers joining AzHHA Board Members Will Humble, executive director, Arizona Public Health Association and Roland Knox, CEO, Mt. Graham Community Hospital.

August 12 - Introduction to POLST virtual workshop

The one-hour introduction to POLST workshop equips 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.

September 14-16 - Health Care Leaders Confront the Future: A Virtual Conference on COVID-19 from Recovery to Rebuilding

Join the American Hospital Association for a virtual event brought to you by the AHA Center for Health Innovation and the Society for Health Care Strategy and Market Development that will convene the field’s leading thinkers, strategists and doers who are looking to share, learn, innovate and strategize for the new era of care delivery post-COVID-19.

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