Healthcare Headlines: February 2019

<h2 class="heading-medium">Community Hospitals Link Arms With Prestigious Facilities To Raise Their Profiles</h2>
<p>Many flagship hospitals have signed affiliation agreements with smaller hospitals around the country. The larger hospitals benefit from increased reach while the community hospitals get the brand-name affiliation and access to experts and specialized services.&nbsp;<a href="https://khn.org/news/community-hospitals-link-arms-with-prestigious-facilities-to-raise-their-profiles/" target="_blank" aria-label="Read more about Community Hospitals Link Arms With Prestigious Facilities To Raise Their Profiles">Read more</a></p>
<h2 class="heading-medium">Primary Care Visits Within 7 Days Of Discharge Linked To Fewer Readmissions</h2>
<p>According to a study published in JAMA Network Open, patients who see a primary care physician within one week of a hospital discharge have lower readmission rates.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/primary-care-visits-within-7-days-of-discharge-linked-to-fewer-readmissions.html" target="_blank" aria-label="Read more about Primary Care Visits Within 7 Days Of Discharge Linked To Fewer Readmissions">Read more</a></p>
<h2 class="heading-medium">Healthcare Job Growth, Demand Expected to Remain Strong Through 2019</h2>
<p>The trends that drove strong job growth in 2018 show no signs of slowing down in 2019. While a healthy sign for the industry it also could pose problems for recruiting, retention and wage growth.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/clinical-care/healthcare-job-growth-demand-expected-remain-strong-through-2019" target="_blank" aria-label="Read more about Healthcare Job Growth, Demand Expected to Remain Strong Through 2019">Read more</a></p>
<h2 class="heading-medium">Stark, Anti-Kickback Rulemaking Underway At HHS</h2>
<p>HHS is working to overhaul the Stark Law and anti-kickback regulations as part of the shift toward paying for value. A proposed rulemaking is anticipated sometime this year.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pcpcc.org/2019/01/31/stark-anti-kickback-rulemaking-underway-hhs " target="_blank" aria-label="Read more about Stark, Anti-Kickback Rulemaking Underway At HHS">Read more</a></p>
<h2 class="heading-medium">Medicare&rsquo;s Role in Reducing Senior Poverty</h2>
<p>CMS launched a new app, <a href="https://www.medicare.gov/blog/whats-covered-mobile-app" target="_blank" title="What’s Covered app">What’s Covered app</a>, to provide seniors more information on Medicare coverage across different healthcare facilities and doctor offices.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cms.gov/blog/medicares-role-reducing-senior-poverty" target="_blank" aria-label="Read more about Medicare’s Role in Reducing Senior Poverty">Read more</a></p>