IHA Daily Briefing: April 3

CDC Alert: Veterinary Sedative in Illegal Drugs Increasing Risk for Overdose
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in conjunction with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, issued an April 2 Health Alert warning of increasing reports medetomidine in the illegal drug supply. Medetomidine is a veterinary sedative that can cause profound sedation, bradycardia, and hypotension, and can lead to severe withdrawal. CDC said that because fentanyl is involved in most overdoses involving medetomidine, opioid overdose reversal medications (OORM), such as naloxone, should be administered to restore normal breathing in suspected overdoses.

CDC said clinicians should consider medetomidine in suspected opioid overdoses with prolonged sedation unresponsive to OORM administration and consult with a toxicologist or poison control, including the Illinois Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.

CMS Announces Data Release on Healthcare Utilization and Prices
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) yesterday announced the forthcoming release of public data on healthcare utilization and prices at the provider and service level that will be available in open, machine-readable formats under an open license. CMS said the data are intended to support efforts to identify and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse, as well as to promote transparency and accountability. The new data sets include Original Medicare utilization and payment data aggregated by provider and service for inpatient and outpatient hospitals; physicians and other practitioners; Part D prescribers; and medical equipment, devices and supply providers. Medicaid provider spending by provider and service will also be released.

Joint Commission Launches New Outcomes-Driven Certifications
Joint Commission recently announced the launch of its new outcomes driven certifications, which it called a "next generation approach" to certification of hospitals and other healthcare organizations based on measurable clinical outcomes, rather than primarily on compliance with processes. The organization said the new approach represents "a key component of Joint Commission's strategic transformation to advance healthcare quality through data, transparency, and continuous improvement, while prioritizing the results that matter most to patients and clinicians." The first two outcomes-driven certifications will focus on perinatal care and cardiac surgeries and procedures, which Joint Commission identified as high priority clinical areas where improved outcomes can have a profound impact on patients, families, and communities.

White House Announces Additional Pharmaceutical Tariffs
A proclamation to implement additional tariffs on certain patented pharmaceutical products and ingredients was issued by the White House yesterday. According to a White House fact sheet, the order imposes a 100% tariff within 120 days for certain large companies and 180 days for smaller companies. A 15% tariff will be applied to pharmaceuticals from the European Union, Japan, Korea or Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Pharmaceuticals from the U.K. will have a lower tariff rate subject to the recently concluded U.K. pharmaceutical agreement. Companies with most-favored-nation pricing agreements with the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services and onshoring agreements with the U.S. Dept of Commerce will not be subject to any tariffs for their products through Jan. 20, 2029, the administration said. Companies only entering into onshoring agreements will have a 20% tariff applied to their products. While generic pharmaceuticals, biosimilars and associated ingredients are exempt from the tariffs, the fact sheet said this will be reassessed within one year. In addition, certain specialty pharmaceutical products, including orphan drugs, will be exempt from tariffs if they are from any trade deal countries or meet an urgent public health need.

The Infectious Respiratory Disease Surveillance Dashboard from the Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) provides the latest data on hospital visits, seasonal trends, lab test positivity and demographic data. IDPH also tracks COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus information through the Illinois Wastewater Surveillance System dashboard.

Briefly Noted

Leading the News

SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital Centralia recognized for national excellence

WSIU

For generations, families across Southern Illinois have relied on SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia for care when it matters most. That commitment to being present day and night, for emergencies and everyday care, is being recognized on a national level. SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Centralia has been named a Top 100 Rural and Community Hospital by Chartis, a leading healthcare advisory firm.

Health systems on average aren't breaking even

Becker's Hospital Review

Most U.S. health systems are still operating in the red, even as a handful of standouts post stronger numbers to start the year.

CMS finalizes 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D rule: 10 notes

Becker's Hospital Review

CMS published its final 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D rule on April 2, enacting changes to star ratings, supplemental benefits administration, Part D coverage, and a series of deregulatory provisions.

Illinois critical access hospital plans temporary staff housing

Becker's Hospital Review

Hammond-Henry Hospital in Geneseo, Ill., is constructing a building to address the need for temporary medical student and physician housing.