Issue Updates
News
SHM Members Take to Capitol Hill
On October 19, 2023, SHM members visited Capitol Hill, advocating and educating Congress about important issues in hospital medicine. Our members advocated for Medicare payment reform, solutions aimed at staffing shortages and workforce issues, as well as a fix for the three-day inpatient stay requirement for skilled-nursing facility (SNF) coverage. View Recap
Immediate Elimination of the X-Waiver for Prescribing Buprenorphine
On January 12, 2023, the DEA and SAMHSA announced the immediate elimination of the X-Waiver for prescribing buprenorphine. SHM celebrates this change as a major victory for our collective advocacy efforts and for improving the care of patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). Read More
Policy Update: Split (or Shared) Billing
One-pager on recently finalized rules for split (or shared) billing of hospital visits between physicians and NPs/PAs. Updated November 18, 2022. Read Now
Letters
SHM Submits Comments on Proposed Observation Status Appeals Process
CMS has submitted comments regarding the proposed appeals process in which patients, under limited circumstances, can appeal a retroactive classification as an outpatient. Read Letter
SHM Supports the Reauthorization of the Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Act
SHM supports the reauthorization of this important legislation, which establishes grants that support training in strategies to reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, behavioral health conditions, and substance use disorders among healthcare professionals. Read Letter
SHM Supports the DOCTORS Act
SHM supports the passage of the Directing Our Country's Transfer of Residency Slots (DOCTORS) Act. This legislation will help address nationwide physician shortages by reallocating unused waivers from the Conrad 30 waiver program to states that use their full allotment. Read Letter