US health spending growth decelerated in pandemic’s second year
According to new numbers from the CMS, national health spending grew 4.2% last year to almost $4.3 trillion, a significant slowdown from the 9.7% growth rate in 2020.
Long-term health of patients, hospitals at stake as care delays continue
As federal relief funds dwindle and volumes remain stagnant, concerns mount about how providers will fare, especially those lacking robust outpatient services.
Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic
Hospitals overhauled their operations early on amid stay-at-home orders and other restrictions, and while hospitals have treated virus patients amid various waves, other volumes still haven’t returned.
Eyeing Europe’s COVID-19 resurgence, AHA asks HHS to renew public health emergency
In a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, hospitals emphasized the need to be prepared for more potential disruptions to the healthcare delivery system.
Hospitals saw negative operating margins in February for second consecutive month
Even as cases of the omicron variant plummet, the metrics indicate a “challenging recovery,” according to Kaufman Hall’s monthly report.
US curtails use of Vir, GSK’s COVID-19 drug as omicron subvariant spreads
The drug, found to be ineffective against a coronavirus strain known as BA.2, is no longer authorized for use in 10 states and U.S. territories, a limitation that could be widened further.
Streamlined processes can ease systemic burnout in medical education
How tools and improved processes can ward off burnout at the source in medical education programs.
AHA wants healthcare workers protected like airline staff amid rising workplace violence
No federal laws protect healthcare workers from violence on the job like they do flight crews. AHA wants the DOJ to support legislation that would make violence against healthcare workers a federal offense.
Google launches new search tool for provider appointments, seeks FDA approval for Fitbit feature
Google is working to prop up its healthcare efforts following internal project shakiness that led the company to dismantle its Google Health business last year.
ONC head Micky Tripathi on info-blocking complaints, provider penalties and future of TEFCA
Tripathi shared his thoughts on the scope and content of information-blocking complaints, when the industry can expect penalties for providers found information blocking and how the government plans to build on TEFCA moving forward.