Doctors in the U.S. are losing approximately $125 billion in revenue due to billing errors. This widely reported statistic is largely attributed to the growing complexity of our healthcare system and the increased challenges in navigating through the various rules and regulations. To help independent physicians and physician groups avoid revenue loss, Arnett Carbis Toothman, a PACHC Silver Corporate Member, provides medical billing and practice management solutions that focus on practice profitability. For more information on the solutions available to you, see this flyer and contact the company for a no-cost consultation.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) decided to stop defending the Trump-era public charge regulations. Not long after, the Supreme Court dismissed the pending appeals, and the 7th Circuit dismissed the government’s appeal as well. This means that the final judgment entered in the Northern District of Illinois on Nov. 2, 2020, which vacated the public charge rule nationwide is now in effect. This means that the Trump Administration’s 2019 public charge rule is permanently blocked nationwide and no longer in effect, meaning that it is safe for immigrants and their families to access health, nutrition, and housing programs for which they are eligible without fear of doing so impacting decisions on permanent status.

Experts say the two-year expansion of subsidies for most people who buy insurance through the government exchanges, including Pennie.com, would be among the most significant changes to the affordability of private insurance since the passage of the Affordable Care Act. Click here to read more.

Pennie.com has extended its available languages for use by consumers who speak Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Russian, Central Khmer and Arabic. The options can be displayed by clicking the widget located at the bottom right corner of the screen.

The Senate Finance Committee voted 14-14 on Xavier Becerra’s nomination as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Due to the split vote, Becerra’s nomination will require four hours of debate and a majority vote by the Senate to bring it up for a final confirmation vote. A voting session has not yet been scheduled. Meanwhile, the Biden Administration is continuing to fill HHS vacancies and released a list of staff appointments.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced that he has nominated Dr. Denise A. Johnson, M.D., FACOG, FACHE, to serve as Pennsylvania’s physician general. Dr. Johnson will succeed Dr. Wendy Braund, who, in addition to her role as COVID-19 response director, served as interim physician general following the departure of Dr. Rachel Levine. Dr. Johnson will serve as acting physician general until she is confirmed by the Senate. Dr. Johnson was most recently Chief Medical Officer at Meadville Medical Center. Prior to joining the leadership team in 2008, Dr. Johnson spent 13 years in private practice in Meadville. She is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology by the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. She serves as on the Governor’s Commission for Women. Dr. Johnson has been involved in various community and regional groups focusing on diversity and inclusion and on the needs of women and is the current board chair of the Meadville Area Free Clinic. She is past chair of the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape.

Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Susan Collins (R-ME) signaled their support for President Biden’s nominee for HHS Secretary, Xavier Becerra. The support from both members indicates that Mr. Becerra will be confirmed on a bipartisan basis. NRHA looks forward to working with presumptive Secretary Becerra on various issues including protecting the 340B program, ensuring the Provider Relief Fund, and now the new Health Care Heroes Sustainability Fund, have fair reporting requirements and are able to be utilized.

Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and James Lankford (R-OK) and Representatives Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) reintroduced the Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act (S. 644 / H.R. 1639). The legislation would update Medicare’s “Critical Access Hospital” (CAH) designation so more rural hospitals can qualify for this financial lifeline and continue to serve their communities with high quality, affordable health care services.  Read the full joint press release here.

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) provides objective policy and legal analysis to committees and members of the House and Senate. This report provides information on each federal program included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, designed to increase broadband availability for underserved areas of the United States.