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| September 22, 2017 | Vol. 18 No. 32
Welcome!
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| Local, State and National News
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Urge Your Senators to Oppose Graham-Cassidy
New AHA Toolkit to Help Engage the Hospital Family
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) indicated yesterday that he will bring the Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson proposal to repeal and replace parts of the Affordable Care Act to the floor for a vote next week. At this point, reports indicate that the leadership does not yet have enough votes for final passage. It is critical that the hospital and health system field continue to make its voice heard at this time. Please continue to urge your senators, particularly your Republican senators, to vote “no” on the Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson proposal.
To help amplify our message, we have set up a special web page you can share with members of your hospital family – your employees, trustees, volunteers and others – to send a message to your senators urging them to protect coverage and oppose the proposal. Once on the web page, your employees will be prompted to enter their email address and zip code. They will then be taken to a screen with a pre-populated message for their senators urging them to protect coverage. They can edit the message, if they choose, or send it as-is. It’s that easy.
Thank you for helping to amplify the field’s message at this critical time. Please see our special web page for talking points and additional resources and contact us at 1-800-424-4301 with any questions.
AHA News, September 21, 2017
McConnell plans floor vote on Graham-Cassidy bill
The mad dash to advance an Obamacare repeal-and-replace bill picked up even more momentum. "It is the leader's intention to consider Graham-Cassidy on the floor next week," said David Popp, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The bill would largely turn the Affordable Care Act into a block grant program for states, giving governors and state lawmakers more power in determining health policy. Under the bill, nearly $1.2 trillion in ACA subsidies would be doled out to the states through 2026. States would be free to do away with many of the consumer protections currently embedded in the ACA. The bill would also end Medicaid expansion in 2020. READ MORE. Modern Healthcare, September 20, 2017
Insurers come out swinging against new Republican Health Care Bill
WASHINGTON — The health insurance industry, after cautiously watching Republican health care efforts for months, came out forcefully on Wednesday against the Senate’s latest bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act, suggesting that its state-by-state block grants could create health care chaos in the short term and a Balkanized, uncertain insurance market. READ MORE. The New York Times, September 20, 2017
AHA opposes any further delay of 340B drug ceiling price rule
The AHA today urged the Health Resources and Services Administration to implement its final rule on 340B drug ceiling prices and civil monetary penalties for manufacturers without delay. “Delaying the implementation of the ceiling price and CMPs an additional nine months – from Oct. 1, 2017, to July 1, 2018 – is not justified given the exhaustive development process that has occurred,” wrote AHA Executive Vice President Tom Nickels. AHA also reiterated its support for HRSA’s decision to codify its “penny pricing policy” to strengthen oversight of 340B ceiling prices and discourage manufacturers from raising prices faster than inflation. “While this policy has been in place for many years, drug manufacturers have not applied it consistently,” AHA said. “…In addition, we look forward to working with HRSA on further guidance on the 340B ceiling reporting system and how 340B hospitals and covered entities can access ceiling price information to establish instances of manufacturer overcharges.”
AHA News Now, September 20, 2017
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Over 60 million Americans live in rural and frontier communities. Rural communities are wonderful places to live and work, but these communities also have unique health care needs, which is why the National Organization of State Offices of Rural sets aside the third Thursday of every November – November 16, 2017 – to celebrate National Rural Health Day!
Resources to help you promote and celebrate National Rural Health Day:
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UNMC College of Nursing 100th anniversary upcoming celebration features gala, history book
OMAHA—The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing, the state’s oldest and largest publicly-supported nursing college, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Since its first class began with 13 women on Oct. 16, 1917, more than 15,000 students have graduated. There are 1,073 students currently enrolled at its five campuses in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney, Scottsbluff and Norfolk. During the year-long centennial celebration, the college will incorporate recognition of the centennial during various events. READ MORE. Nebraska Physician of the Year to speak at Women’s Health Fair
FAIRBURY—Nebraska’s 2017 Physician of the Year will be one of the speakers at the first-ever Jefferson Community Health & Life Health Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 27. Kim Coleman, M.D., of Advanced Medical Imaging, will speak on Breast Health at 6 p.m. at JCH&L during the Women’s Health Fair. Dr. Coleman was announced as Physician of the Year on Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, at the Nebraska Medical Association’s Annual Meeting. Dr. Coleman has been practicing Pediatric Radiology for nearly 20 years. Through AMI she provides radiology services to Jefferson Community Health & Life. READ MORE. Jefferson Community Health & Life news release, September 19, 2017
Faith Regional Health Services expanding campus with new medical office building
NORFOLK – Faith Regional Health Services plans to expand its campus’ footprint with the addition of a 109,000 square foot medical office building located directly south of Norfolk Avenue. The land was purchased by Faith Regional Health Services for future development in 1999 and over the last three years has been part of ongoing discussions as strong recruitment efforts continue and the need for additional clinic space rises. READ MORE. Faith Regional Health Services news release, September 19, 2017
New visiting Otolaryngologist to see patients at Community Hospital
MCCOOK—Philip C. Fitzpatrick, M.D., a physician specializing in otolaryngology, also known as ENT, from North Platte, will begin seeing patients at Community Hospital’s Medical Specialists Center on September 25. Dr. Fitzpatrick is in practice with his wife, Elaine Fitzpatrick, M.D., at Fitzpatrick Ear Nose & Throat Clinic in North Platte. READ MORE. Community Hospital news release, September 19, 2017
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| Does your hospital have a story or press release to share? If so, please send them to Kim Larson, Director of Marketing, for possible inclusion in Newslink or another NHA publication. Submit your entries to Kim via email.
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NHA Annual Convention open for registrations!
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CHI Health St. Elizabeth, Lincoln
Kimberly Steenblock, CSM, is the Network Development Consultant and can be reached at (402) 219-5116 or Kimberly.Steenblock@alegent.org. Fremont Health, Fremont
Kiley Cordes, MS, is the Physician Services Manager and can be reached at (402) 727-3313 or kcordes@fremonthealth.com. Pender Community Hospital, Pender
Dion Blanke, RN, is the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and can be reached at (402) 385-4015 or Dion.Blanke@mercyhealth.com.
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| Do you have updates for your hospital?
If you have any updates to email addresses, phone numbers or job title changes for your hospital, please let the NHA know. Contact Heather Bullock, Member Services & Events Manager, at (402) 742-8148 or via email.
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Nebraska Hospital Trivia: Celebrating 90 years!
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To celebrate the NHA's 90th Anniversary, we thought it would be fun to add a little trivia from the past. Here's this week's tidbit: Quotes taken from the Nebraska Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (NAHHS)*
NAHHS "1995 Annual Report to the Membership" "There are three areas in which we rely very heavily on NAHHS: one, legislative liaison and information; two, statistical information and trends; and three, trustee information and assistance, primarily through their annual trustee's seminar. It is very clear to me that this assistance has been, and will continue to be, essential for our survival; and I am convinced that we would not have been able to achieve the progress that we had in the past without their services and the personal assistance of their staff. Our dues to NAHHS surely have been one of our best investments for our future." - John C. Klosterman, Trustee, Butler County Health Care Center - David City
"As a result of the guidance, assistance, and leadership of the Association, a marked impact has been felt by hospitals and health systems. An improved wage index, equitable Medicaid reimbursement, and their constant vigilance of legislation are only but a few areas the Association activities have enabled hospitals to fulfill their mission to their communities." - Brent Peterson, CEO, Cherry County Hospital - Valentine
*The NHA changed its name to Nebraska Association of Hospitals and Health Systems in 1984 and returned to being called Nebraska Hospital Association in 2002.
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Nebraska Total Care Hosts Provider Town Hall Meetings
South Sioux City Provider Town Hall
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Marina Inn
385 E. 4th Street
South Sioux City, NE 68776
Norfolk Town Hall
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Northeast Community College
Lifelong Learning Center
801 E. Benjamin Street
"857 Pages in 60 Minutes: Highlights of the Proposed 2018 Physician Fee Schedule, and Hospital OPPS and IPPS Rules"
October 9, 2017 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Nebraska Tech SummitOctober 10, 2017
Innovation Campus - Lincoln
Learn more.
Jointly Provided by Nebraska Infection Control Network (NICN), Nebraska Infection Control Assessment & Promotion Program (ICAP), Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Epidemiology Unit and Clarkson College Professional Development
October 20, 2017
Graduate Lincoln
141 N 9th Street, Lincoln
Nebraska Critical Access Hospitals Conference on Quality
November 14-15, 2017
Younes Conference Center, Kearney
Baird Holm 29th Annual Health Law Forum
November 17, 2017
Omaha Marriott Regency, Omaha
Questions? Contact Sarah Morris
The Future of Orthopaedic Care is Here
April 20, 2018
Holiday Inn Conference Center, Kearney
Learn more
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NHA Newslink is published by the Nebraska Hospital Association Phone: (402) 742-8140 info@nebraskahospitals.org
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3255 Salt Creek Circle Suite 100 | Lincoln, NE 68504 US
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