Bulletin Board
Bulletin Board
Hospitals to Continue to Face Staffing Challenges
While the number of health care employment openings is now declining and fewer health care workers are leaving their jobs, non-profit hospitals can expect to continue facing staffing challenges in the near future. At least that’s what Fitch Ratings says in a new report. “Despite some relief of late, U.S. not-for-profit hospitals are in for several challenging months with healthcare and social assistance job vacancies still high against a backdrop of low unemployment, according to Fitch Ratings in its labor dashboard for the sector,” the report said. Learn more from [...]
FEDERAL HEALTH POLICY UPDATE FOR OCTOBER 20
The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for the week of October 14 to October 20. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. White House President Biden has signed an executive order on lowering prescription drug costs. The order directs HHS to consider additional actions to further drive down prescription drug costs, encourages it to pursue such actions through its Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), and directs HHS to submit a formal report within 90 days outlining any [...]
COVID Pandemic: It’s Over? It’s Not?
An average of 400 daily COVID-related deaths. The potential loss of access to telehealth services. The need to redetermine Medicaid eligibility for people who benefited from the loosening of eligibility standards under the 2020 Family First Coronavirus Response Act. The upcoming commercialization of COVID vaccines. A promise to the nation’s governors of 60 days’ advance notice. These are among the reasons the federal government recently extended the declaration of the COVID-19 public health emergency for another 90 days. Becker’s Hospital Review takes a closer look at these and other reasons [...]
Feds Taking the Long View on Monkeypox
Federal health officials are increasingly looking at monkeypox as a long-term challenge that may periodically create short-term crises. The number of monkeypox cases is not increasing exponentially and appears large confined to limited, defined communities and may eventually spread more like a sexually transmitted disease than a pandemic-style threat. In addition, as time passes more at-risk individuals are likely to receive vaccines to gain protection against the infection. Meanwhile, efforts continue to find more effective ways to treat the disease. Monkeypox has long been common in some countries and its [...]
FEDERAL HEALTH POLICY UPDATE FOR OCTOBER 13
The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for the week of October 7 to October 13. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. Public Health Emergency Declaration HHS Secretary Becerra has renewed the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declaration. This renewal does not provide the promised 60-day notice of the PHE’s end, so for now, the current declaration is set expire on January 11, 2023. We will continue to update you on any changes to the PHE timeline. You can view [...]