Health Care Advocate: Sept. 5, 2024

Table of Contents THA FAQ on Undocumented-Immigrant Order Now Available to Members This week, THA made available to membership its new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document on Gov. Greg Abbott’s Aug. 8 executive order and subsequent instructions from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) on implementing that order, which compels HHSC to collect hospital cost data on treatment…

Health Care Advocate: Aug. 29, 2024

Table of Contents THA, AHA Win Tracking Lawsuit After HHS Appeal Withdrawn A court victory for THA and the American Hospital Association will ultimately stand after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) withdrew its appeal of a district-court decision rejecting its attempt to restrict the use of third-party tracking software on health care provider websites. AHA announced…

Health Care Advocate: Aug. 22, 2024

Table of Contents State Releases Guidance for Order on Undocumented-Immigrant Care Almost two weeks after Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order for Texas hospitals to track and report their costs of caring for undocumented immigrants, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) released accompanying guidance for hospitals late Wednesday afternoon. THA sent an alert to members Wednesday evening with initial…

Health Care Advocate: Aug. 8, 2024

Table of Contents Abbott Orders Hospital Cost Reporting on Undocumented Immigrants Gov. Greg Abbott today issued an executive order that requires Texas hospitals “to collect information on illegal immigrants” receiving inpatient and emergency care, and to report health care costs incurred as a result. With the order, a release from the governor’s office said that the Texas Health and Human…

Health Care Advocate: Aug. 1, 2024

Table of Contents Talking Politics: HOSPAC Hosts Texas Rep. Steve Allison THA’s political action committee, HOSPAC, recently hosted a discussion with Texas Rep. Steve Allison (R-San Antonio) on the outlook for health care and politics in Texas – and how hospital leaders can lean into their principles, maintain integrity and support the issues that matter to their patients and local…

Health Care Advocate: July 25, 2024

Table of Contents HHSC Investigates Allegations of Illegal Medicaid Billing for Gender-Affirming Care State health officials have launched an investigation into whether any Texas providers have illegally billed Medicaid for gender-affirming care on minors. On July 19, Cecile Young, executive commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), and Raymond Charles Winter, HHSC’s inspector general (OIG), sent a…

Health Care Advocate: July 18, 2024

Table of Contents Feds Grant Waivers to Assist Hospitals With Beryl Response Following the federal declaration of a public health emergency in Texas due to Hurricane Beryl, the federal response to the storm reached a new and important phase on Monday as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) activated important waivers for Texas hospitals and other providers affected…

Health Care Advocate: July 11, 2024

Table of Contents Texas Hospitals Grapple With Beryl Aftermath The storm has passed, but serious challenges remain for Texas hospitals that were in the path of Hurricane Beryl. THA has been working closely with state officials this week as decisions are made regarding shelter operations, power and connectivity assistance, transport issues and other hospital-related matters. Texas hospitals are working to…

Health Care Advocate: July 3, 2024

Table of Contents Cyberattack Reporting Rule Contains Heavy Burdens, THA Says In response to proposed rules by the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) to require that certain hospitals report cyberattacks, THA submitted a public comment letter sharing several concerns over the cost and burden on hospitals. The rule proposal would require large hospitals, critical access hospitals and certain other…

Health Care Advocate: June 27, 2024

Table of Contents THA Beats Federal Government in Suit Over Tracking Software Use THA, the American Hospital Association and two hospital systems were victorious late last week in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) over the government’s attempt to restrict the use of third-party tracking software on health care provider websites. THA, AHA, Texas…