News

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the AHA has suspended three award programs that entail site visits to finalist organizations for 2021: the AHA Quest for Quality Prize; the Circle of Life Award: Celebrating Innovation in Palliative and End-of-Life Care; and the Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service.

The Food and Drug Administration authorized the emergency use of two COVID-19 molecular diagnostic tests. The tests from Inform Diagnostics Inc. and Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory LLC detect in respiratory specimens nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Three of the five most effective cloth face coverings tested by the National Institute of Standards and Technology were 100% cotton and had a visible raised fiber or nap, such as found on flannels, the agency announced.

The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a hearing on 22 bills intended to improve access to mental health services during times of crisis such as COVID-19, including legislation supported by the AHA.

The AHA, Association of American Medical Colleges, Children's Hospital Association and Federation of American Hospitals, which brought a lawsuit challenging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ hospital price transparency rule, urged the Department of Health and Human Services to delay the effective date of the rule until the matter is settled by the courts.

More than 350 hospital and health system leaders from across the country this afternoon participated in an AHA Virtual Advocacy Day to urge senators to include priorities that support hospitals and health systems in the next COVID-19 legislative package.

An AHA report released finds that the financial strain facing hospitals and health systems due to COVID-19 will continue through at least 2020, with total losses expected to be at least $323 billion in 2020.

The Administration for Community Living July 1 at 2 p.m. ET will host a webinar featuring leaders sharing COVID19-related and other resources and research to help support older adults and persons with disabilities residing in rural communities.

The University of New Mexico School of Medicine’s Project ECHO July 2 will host at 12 p.m. ET a collaborative webinar on COVID-19’s treatment using dexamethasone and other steroids. Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is the university’s effort to demonopolize knowledge and amplify the capacity to provide best practice care for underserved people all over the world.

SARS-CoV-2 infections may be 10 times higher than reported cases, according to new data from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention partnership with commercial laboratories to test de-identified clinical blood specimens for antibodies in Connecticut, South Florida, the New York City area, Missouri, Utah and western Washington state.