Health Care Advocate: Oct. 10, 2024

Table of Contents BCBSTX/Aetna Anesthesia Policy Likely Detrimental, THA Tells TDI Recent changes to anesthesia payment policies for Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) will likely increase barriers to care and weaken existing coverage, THA wrote in a letter to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). The letter from THA, the Texas Medical Association and the Texas…

Health Care Advocate: Oct. 3, 2024

Table of Contents After THA Advocacy, Johnson & Johnson Drops 340B Drug Rebate Plan Following strong opposition from THA, Texas hospitals and the American Hospital Association, drugmaker Johnson & Johnson backed off a plan to introduce a rebate scheme for certain safety-net hospitals in the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which requires Medicaid-participating pharmaceutical companies to sell outpatient drugs at a…

Health Care Advocate: Sept. 26, 2024

Table of Contents Cruz, Cornyn Staffs Meet With THA in D.C. As Congress worked this week to once again avert a government shutdown, THA’s advocacy team hit Washington, D.C., to meet with staff for both U.S. senators from Texas, Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, as well as House representatives or their staffs for 17 of Texas’ congressional districts. THA…

Health Care Advocate: Sept. 19, 2024

Table of Contents Federal Update: Anti-Facility Fee Bill Advances Out of Committee Ahead of a THA advocacy staff visit to Washington, D.C., next week, the nation’s capital has seen a flurry of activity on hospital-relevant legislation following congressional lawmakers’ return from their August work period. Here’s a quick look at some of that activity: During their visit to D.C. next…

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Table of Contents THA, AHA Win Tracking Lawsuit After HHS Appeal Withdrawn A court victory for THA and the American Hospital Association will ultimately stand after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) withdrew its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…