Policy and Legislation
'Cyber shields up,' says Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
Hospitals will continue to have mask-wearing policies in place, and the AMA urges Americans to continue wearing masks indoors.
Nationally, the nursing home staff vaccination rate is about 84%; 23 states report staff vaccination rates higher than the national average.
HHS agency warns of cybersecurity risks of EHRs; bipartisan appeal to CMS to keep Medicare Advantage
<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">This week's top stories include the Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center reporting that <span style="color:black">Protected Health Information in EHRs is prized by bad actors, and 60 U.S. senators sent a letter urging CMS to protect MA. </span></span></span></span></span></p>
This is far less than the $25 billion distribution requested by the American Hospital Association.
With a rate announcement expected soon, MedPAC cautions that MA may worsen Medicare's sustainability.
The popularity of MA has exploded, but AHIP officials want to protect MA before the end of the pandemic signals a shift in flexibilities.
The move was made to avoid potential staffing issues and to give healthcare workers more time to comply.
This week's top stories include the Mayo Clinic halting the scheduling of appointments for patients in most Medicare Advantage plans, and an Oklahoma City hospital tightening security after COVID-19-related social media posts accused providers of murder.
UnitedHealthcare, for its part, is negotiating to bring Mayo in-network for MA members, citing the importance of continuity of care.