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Hospitals Feeling the Pain of Loss of Pandemic Aid
The end of some forms of federal COVID-19 financial assistance is causing financial pain for some hospitals – especially safety-net hospitals that care for especially large numbers of uninsured patients. During the pandemic, the federal government reimbursed hospitals for testing, vaccinating, and treating uninsured COVID patients; now it does not. During the pandemic, some people, including many who are uninsured, put off seeking to address their health problems because they feared going to a hospital and encountering the highly contagious virus. Now, these individuals are showing up at hospitals’ doors [...]
Pandemic-Driven Telehealth Expansion Reaching the Disadvantaged
Contrary to the expectations of many, people who are considered disadvantaged based on where they live have experienced a greater increase in the use of telehealth services than any other group since access to such services was expanded in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a report published in Health Affairs, a previous trend that found an inverse link between socio-economic status and telehealth use reversed during the pandemic for non-elderly patients, with all minority groups experiencing increased telehealth use. The only exception has been among older adults, who [...]
Federal Health Policy Update for Thursday, May 5
The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government as of 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 5. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. Department of Health and Human Services HHS and its Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) have awarded nearly $25 million to 125 HRSA-funded health centers to improve and strengthen access to school-based health services. Awards will support local partnerships between schools and health centers to provide children and youth with comprehensive physical and mental health care. Learn more [...]
DeBrunner Partner Recognized by Publication
City and State Pennsylvania has named DeBrunner & Associates’ Michael Chirieleison one of its “2022 Health Care Power 100.” Since taking over the reins of DeBrunner & Associates’ Pennsylvania health care consulting, government relations, and advocacy practice, Mike has pushed the firm in new directions. From a mostly hospital-oriented practice, Mike and his team of policy, data, and lobbying professionals have moved boldly into biopharmaceuticals, long-term care, substance use services, and more. In recent years the firm has scored a number of successes, including the successful pursuit of legislation to [...]
Federal Health Policy Update for Thursday, April 28
The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government as of 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 28. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. White House The White House has announced a series of steps designed to increase the availability of oral treatments for COVID-19. Those steps include nearly doubling the number of places oral antivirals are available in the coming weeks; launching a new effort to establish federally-supported test-to-treat sites; supporting medical providers with more guidance and tools to understand and [...]