Friday, May 29, 2020
House passes small business loan tweaks that would help healthcare providers
House passes small business loan tweaks that would help healthcare providers: The House of Representatives passed tweaks to the Paycheck Protection Program that would give healthcare providers more flexibility with how to use the funds.
CVS sued over alleged generic-drug price inflation
CVS sued over alleged generic-drug price inflation: Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurers aim to recoup millions of dollars from the retail pharmacy giant for an alleged drug pricing scheme.
Understanding the COVID-19 and Kawasaki Disease Connection | Time
Understanding the COVID-19 and Kawasaki Disease Connection | Time: Researchers are trying to understand the pediatric inflammatory condition linked to COVID-19, and whether it's Kawasaki disease.
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Spike in Georgia COVID-19 cases partly from virus spread, expert says
Spike in Georgia COVID-19 cases partly from virus spread, expert says: Georgia’s recent spike in new COVID-19 cases likely indicates the virus is spreading and canno...
Primary care clinicians say they need a financial lifeline | FierceHealthcare
Primary care clinicians say they need a financial lifeline | FierceHealthcare: More than half of clinicians fear they are unprepared for the next wave of the pandemic due to high stress among clinicians, limited access to testing and adequate personal protective equipment, according to a survey from the Primary Care Collaborative. As patients delay or postpone preventive health concerns, clinicians also are concerned about pent-up demand for urgent and chronic care.
Uninsured new mothers face plenty of health challenges. COVID-19 could make that worse | FierceHealthcare
Uninsured new mothers face plenty of health challenges. COVID-19 could make that worse | FierceHealthcare: New mothers face significant challenges when they lack health coverage—a concern the industry should be watching as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, researchers say.
Searching For Safety: Where Children Hide When Gunfire Is All Too Common | Kaiser Health News
Searching For Safety: Where Children Hide When Gunfire Is All Too Common | Kaiser Health News: The overall crime rate has dropped during the pandemic, but unfortunately gun violence has not. In St. Louis, at least 11 children have been killed by gunfire so far this year. Living in neighborhoods with frequent violence has forced some families to improvise ways to keep their children safe, even in the place they are supposed to be most secure: their home. The stress of growing up in these conditions could lead to chronic health problems into adulthood.
APS superintendent says state cuts to pre-k could cost district $500K
APS superintendent says state cuts to pre-k could cost district $500K: Superintendent Meria Carstarphen said the district could lose up to $500,000 in funding for pre-k programs next school year, which she said could mean a loss of three to six classrooms.
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
Poll: Most Georgians support tobacco tax increase to boost state budget
Poll: Most Georgians support tobacco tax increase to boost state budget: Nearly three-quarters of Georgia voters said they support increasing the state tax on tobacco produc...
Is It Safe To Go To The Beach? Camp? Eat Out? Here's How To Evaluate The Risks : Shots - Health News : NPR
Is It Safe To Go To The Beach? Camp? Eat Out? Here's How To Evaluate The Risks : Shots - Health News : NPR: The weather is warming up and public spaces are starting to reopen. How do you decide what's safe to do? We have guidance to help you compare and evaluate the risks.
Clotting Tied to COVID-19 May Harm the Placenta
Clotting Tied to COVID-19 May Harm the Placenta: Women who had COVID-19 while pregnant showed evidence of placental injury, suggesting a new complication of the illness, researchers say.
Primary care clinicians say they need a financial lifeline | FierceHealthcare
Primary care clinicians say they need a financial lifeline | FierceHealthcare: More than half of clinicians fear they are unprepared for the next wave of the pandemic due to high stress among clinicians, limited access to testing and adequate personal protective equipment, according to a survey from the Primary Care Collaborative. As patients delay or postpone preventive health concerns, clinicians also are concerned about pent-up demand for urgent and chronic care.
Industry Voices—COVID-19 intersects with the maternal health crisis and the opioid epidemic | FierceHealthcare
Industry Voices—COVID-19 intersects with the maternal health crisis and the opioid epidemic | FierceHealthcare: While the emphasis must remain on COVID-19, other health emergencies—which had been on the forefront of Americans’ attention in 2019—have largely been forgotten, despite the unfortunate reality that they are being exacerbated by the new crisis.
HHS watchdog monitoring billing for potential COVID-19 upcoding
HHS watchdog monitoring billing for potential COVID-19 upcoding: A top official at HHS' Office of Inspector General said the watchdog is monitoring billing and claims data.
Georgia’s latest coronavirus news: New cases up but causes unclear
Georgia’s latest coronavirus news: New cases up but causes unclear: After gradual declines, week to week cases of COVID-19 in Georgia clicked up 26% for the seven days...
Nearly Half Of Americans Delayed Medical Care Due To Pandemic | Kaiser Health News
Nearly Half Of Americans Delayed Medical Care Due To Pandemic | Kaiser Health News: Of those who went without seeing a doctor or other medical provider, 11% experienced a worsened medical condition, according to the poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation. In addition, nearly 40% said stress related to the coronavirus crisis has negatively impacted their mental health.
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
How Kids Are Feeling About the COVID-19 Pandemic | Time
How Kids Are Feeling About the COVID-19 Pandemic | Time: TIME for Kids received letters from students expressing their feelings during this crisis. Here's what they said
Coronavirus in GA: 9 kids have new illness linked to COVID-19 | Macon Telegraph
Coronavirus in GA: 9 kids have new illness linked to COVID-19 | Macon Telegraph: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finalized a case definition for the condition just last week.
Teen is first known child to die from COVID-19 in Georgia | 11alive.com
Teen is first known child to die from COVID-19 in Georgia | 11alive.com: The Georgia Department of Public Health's records suggest the teen had a chronic condition.
Trajectories of Picky Eating in Low-Income US Children | American Academy of Pediatrics
Trajectories of Picky Eating in Low-Income US Children | American Academy of Pediatrics: Video Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Picky eating is common, yet little is known about trajectories of picky eating in childhood. Our objectives were to examine trajectories of child picky eating in low-income US children from ages 4 to 9 years and associations of those trajectories with participant characteristics, including child BMI z score (BMIz) and maternal feeding-behavior trajectories.
METHODS: Mother-child dyads ( N = 317) provided anthropometry and reported on picky eating and maternal feeding behaviors via questionnaires at child ages 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9 years. At baseline, mothers reported on demographics and child emotional regulation. Trajectories of picky eating and maternal feeding behaviors were identified by using latent class analysis. Bivariate analyses examined associations of picky-eating trajectory membership with baseline characteristics and maternal feeding-behavior trajectory memberships. A linear mixed model was used to examine the association of BMIz with picky-eating trajectories.
RESULTS: Three trajectories of picky eating emerged: persistently low ( n = 92; 29%), persistently medium ( n = 181; 57%), and persistently high ( n = 44; 14%). Members
U.S. Earmarks $1.2 Billion for New Vaccine Deal as Coronavirus Deaths Near 95,000
U.S. Earmarks $1.2 Billion for New Vaccine Deal as Coronavirus Deaths Near 95,000: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said Thursday it would provide up to $1.2 billion to the drug company AstraZeneca to develop a potential coronavirus vaccine from a lab in Oxford, U.K.
Pandemic Has Overburdened Parents Stressed Out: Poll
Pandemic Has Overburdened Parents Stressed Out: Poll: If there's such a thing as a "new normal" during the coronavirus pandemic, it's a constant state of stress.
Sure-Fire Solutions for Managing Lockdown Temper Tantrums
Sure-Fire Solutions for Managing Lockdown Temper Tantrums: After weeks of confinement to prevent the spread of COVID-19, kids, teens and grownups alike are probably getting on one another's nerves big time by now.
Remdesivir Will Not Be Enough to Curb COVID-19, Study Finds
Remdesivir Will Not Be Enough to Curb COVID-19, Study Finds: There have been high hopes that the antiviral drug remdesivir might be an answer to the pandemic of COVID-19. But a major, new study finds the drug on its own won't be enough to significantly curb cases and deaths.
Outdoor Swimming Pools Not a COVID-19 Risk: Expert
Outdoor Swimming Pools Not a COVID-19 Risk: Expert: Swimming pools in many parts of the United States may reopen soon, and Americans can take comfort in knowing that taking a dip should pose little risk of coronavirus infection.
Friday, May 22, 2020
Keeping Kids Slim, Fit During Lockdown Isn't Easy: Here Are Some Tips
Keeping Kids Slim, Fit During Lockdown Isn't Easy: Here Are Some Tips: Lots of TV time, no PE classes, and a fridge full of food: It's a recipe for weight gain for kids under "stay at home" rules.
COVID Can Complicate Pregnancy, Especially If Mom Is Obese
COVID Can Complicate Pregnancy, Especially If Mom Is Obese: Some pregnant women with COVID-19 do become severely ill, and the risk may be elevated for those who were obese or had conditions like asthma before pregnancy, a new study suggests.
U.S. Earmarks $1.2 Billion for New Vaccine Deal as Coronavirus Deaths Near 95,000
U.S. Earmarks $1.2 Billion for New Vaccine Deal as Coronavirus Deaths Near 95,000: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said Thursday it would provide up to $1.2 billion to the drug company AstraZeneca to develop a potential coronavirus vaccine from a lab in Oxford, U.K.
Pandemic Has Overburdened Parents Stressed Out: Poll
Pandemic Has Overburdened Parents Stressed Out: Poll: If there's such a thing as a "new normal" during the coronavirus pandemic, it's a constant state of stress.
Physician pay was rising before COVID. Here's how much — and what MGMA expects for the future | FierceHealthcare
Physician pay was rising before COVID. Here's how much — and what MGMA expects for the future | FierceHealthcare: Doctors are taking a financial hit from the COVID-19 pandemic but overall physician compensation was on the rise in 2019. Compensation models will look different in the near future. Find out what trends could drive physician compensation higher going forward.
Trump administration slow to distribute grants to Medicaid providers
Trump administration slow to distribute grants to Medicaid providers: Specialties such as pediatrics, OB-GYN and behavioral health have been left out of billions of dollars in grants nearly two months after Congress created a $100 billion fund.
Thursday, May 21, 2020
'We Have Not Done What We Needed To:' Public Health Expert On Inequities And The Coronavirus | 90.1 FM WABE
'We Have Not Done What We Needed To:' Public Health Expert On Inequities And The Coronavirus | 90.1 FM WABE: Public health experts are pushing to reduce smoking and vaping in communities of color as part of an effort to reduce risk factors for COVID-19. The president of the American Medical Association told WABE's Morning Edition this national focus on health disparities is late, but not too late. “Clearly we have not done
Coronavirus in GA: Georgia COVID-19 testing numbers inflated | Macon Telegraph
Coronavirus in GA: Georgia COVID-19 testing numbers inflated | Macon Telegraph: “If anything, it skews those numbers to make it appear like the level of disease relative to testing is actually dropping much more dramatically than it is,” a public health official told the L-E.
Survey: 72% of consumers have changed healthcare use since COVID-19 pandemic | FierceHealthcare
Survey: 72% of consumers have changed healthcare use since COVID-19 pandemic | FierceHealthcare: A recent survey found a majority of consumers have already or plan to delay getting healthcare due to the COVID-19 pandemic as hospitals and clinics struggle financially.
Political Operatives Recruiting ‘Pro-Trump’ Doctors To Become Public Face Of Reopening Message | Kaiser Health News
Political Operatives Recruiting ‘Pro-Trump’ Doctors To Become Public Face Of Reopening Message | Kaiser Health News: Tim Murtaugh, the Trump campaign communications director, confirmed that the doctors are being recruited, but said, “Anybody who joins one of our coalitions is vetted." Meanwhile, President Donald Trump continues to disregard scientists' advice even when it comes from his own administration.
Johnson & Johnson to End Talc-Based Baby Powder Sales in North America - The New York Times
Johnson & Johnson to End Talc-Based Baby Powder Sales in North America - The New York Times: The company has faced thousands of lawsuits from cancer patients who claim that its talc was contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen, and that the company knew of the risks.
Georgia health agency probing mysterious illness in 15 children
Georgia health agency probing mysterious illness in 15 children: At least 15 children — from toddlers to teens — have fallen ill in Georgia with a myster...
Latest data lapse inflated Georgia’s virus test count by 57,000
Latest data lapse inflated Georgia’s virus test count by 57,000: After facing weeks of criticism for not being transparent with data about the coronavirus, state off...
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Kids With Cancer Not at Greater Risk for Severe COVID-19
Kids With Cancer Not at Greater Risk for Severe COVID-19: Children with cancer don't have a higher risk of being affected by COVID-19 or of having severe symptoms, a new study finds.
COVID-19 Antibodies May Tame Inflammatory Condition in Kids: Study
COVID-19 Antibodies May Tame Inflammatory Condition in Kids: Study: Reports of children suffering from a serious coronavirus-linked inflammatory condition have scared parents everywhere, but new research suggests that treatment with COVID-19 antibodies might help in the worst cases.
Could Umbilical Cord Blood Help Ease Autism?
Could Umbilical Cord Blood Help Ease Autism?: A study testing umbilical cord blood as an autism treatment has found hints of potential benefits for some kids -- but the researchers say much more work is needed to get firmer answers.
FCC chair calls telemedicine a 'top commission priority'
FCC chair calls telemedicine a 'top commission priority': Ajit Pai, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, highlighted two agency programs designed to help healthcare providers get access to telecommunications services and called on other agencies to support telemedicine adoption.
Providers could bear brunt of state COVID-19 Medicaid cuts
Providers could bear brunt of state COVID-19 Medicaid cuts: States have limited options to cut Medicaid if they want to receive federal matching funds, so they may have to cut funds to providers that are already struggling.
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
People Mount Strong Immune Responses to Coronavirus, Boding Well for a Vaccine
People Mount Strong Immune Responses to Coronavirus, Boding Well for a Vaccine: As the drive towards a vaccine against the new coronavirus accelerates, there's some good news: People with COVID-19 have robust immune responses against the virus, scientists say.
Proms Gone, Graduations Online: Pandemic Cancels Kids' Rites of Passage
Proms Gone, Graduations Online: Pandemic Cancels Kids' Rites of Passage: COVID-19 is stealing all the pomp and circumstance from end-of-year celebrations for this year's high school and college graduates.
Industry Voices—Expand federal Medicaid share of telehealth. But don't stop there | FierceHealthcare
Industry Voices—Expand federal Medicaid share of telehealth. But don't stop there | FierceHealthcare: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take its toll, Medicaid, the federal-state health program that serves those with limited income will be called upon to save lives. We must ensure that this national treasure—a proven lifeline for 1 in 5 Americans—has the capacity to do so.
The Pandemic Is Hurting Pediatric Hospitals, Too | Kaiser Health News
The Pandemic Is Hurting Pediatric Hospitals, Too | Kaiser Health News: Children’s hospitals were generally in good shape before COVID-19, but now their revenues are plunging as beds they reserved to assist in the pandemic effort remain empty.
Monday, May 18, 2020
Tensions rise between the White House and CDC as Birx critiques virus tracking - CNNPolitics
Tensions rise between the White House and CDC as Birx critiques virus tracking - CNNPolitics: As the coronavirus pandemic stretches past its ninth week, tensions are rising between the White House and the nation's leading public health agency. In interviews with CNN, senior administration officials in Washington, as well as top officials at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta describe a growing sense of mistrust and animosity between the White House and CDC over how quickly the US should reopen and how the government tracks data on the virus.
Ga. hospital losses mount despite $1 billion in federal aid
Ga. hospital losses mount despite $1 billion in federal aid: So far in Georgia, the federal government has distributed more than $1 billion in early relief funds among nearly 4,900 health care providers.
State Texting Bans Are Saving Teen Drivers' Lives
State Texting Bans Are Saving Teen Drivers' Lives: In a finding that illustrates how distracted driving laws are saving lives, researchers report that car crash deaths among teens plunged by one-third during a period when the number of U.S. states with such laws on the books tripled.
Newborn May Have Contracted Coronavirus in the Womb: Report
Newborn May Have Contracted Coronavirus in the Womb: Report: A Canadian newborn is a "probable" case of infection with the new coronavirus while still in the womb, doctors report.
As congress weighs COVID liability protections, states shield health providers | FierceHealthcare
As congress weighs COVID liability protections, states shield health providers | FierceHealthcare: Under pressure from health provider organizations, governors in Connecticut, Maryland, Illinois and several other states have ordered that most providers be shielded from civil ― and, in some cases, criminal — lawsuits over medical treatment during the COVID-19 health emergency.
States face looming crisis over Medicaid growth, which could trigger changes for providers and payers | FierceHealthcare
States face looming crisis over Medicaid growth, which could trigger changes for providers and payers | FierceHealthcare: States could face a major budget crisis due to the growth of Medicaid enrollment as unemployment skyrockets, which could have a big impact for providers and payers.
Medicaid Providers At The End Of The Line For Federal COVID Funding | Kaiser Health News
Medicaid Providers At The End Of The Line For Federal COVID Funding | Kaiser Health News: Congress authorized $100 billion for health care providers to help reimburse them for losses linked to the coronavirus pandemic. But the majority of that funding so far has gone to hospitals, doctors and other facilities that serve Medicare patients. Providers primarily serving low-income Medicaid populations and children have been largely left out.
AMA issues guidance on using coronavirus antibody tests
AMA issues guidance on using coronavirus antibody tests: The American Medical Association is warning doctors against using tests designed to identify people already exposed to the coronavirus to make healthcare decisions for individual patients.
Oklahoma Legislature passes bills to boost Medicaid funding
Oklahoma Legislature passes bills to boost Medicaid funding: The Republican-controlled Oklahoma Legislature gave final approval Friday to two separate measures designed to boost funding for the state's Medicaid program.
Friday, May 15, 2020
As Congress Weighs COVID Liability Protections, States Shield Health Providers | Kaiser Health News
As Congress Weighs COVID Liability Protections, States Shield Health Providers | Kaiser Health News: Under pressure from organizations representing doctors, nurses, hospitals and other care providers, a handful of states are offering them protections from civil lawsuits over medical treatment.
Feds to overhaul national stockpile of medical supplies
Feds to overhaul national stockpile of medical supplies: The Strategic National Stockpile of drugs and medical supplies is being overhauled to ensure the U.S. is prepared to respond to outbreaks like COVID-19 in the future, following criticism of current supply management.
CDC alerts doctors to COVID-19 linked condition in children
CDC alerts doctors to COVID-19 linked condition in children: The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning doctors about a serious rare inflammatory condition in children linked with the coronavirus. In an alert issued Thursday,...
As pandemic lingers, fears grow that more families forced to go hungry
As pandemic lingers, fears grow that more families forced to go hungry: Experts and officials worry we may be on the bring of a hunger crisis due to the coronavirus. Charities are anxious about how much longer they can meet the increased need for food.
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Kids' COVID-Linked Ailment Is Not Your Typical Kawasaki Disease | MedPage Today
Kids' COVID-Linked Ailment Is Not Your Typical Kawasaki Disease | MedPage Today: A number of differences emerging, but U.S. data still scant
Pediatrician Urges Early Reopening Of Schools : NPR
Pediatrician Urges Early Reopening Of Schools : NPR: A top pediatrician calls for reopening schools as soon as possible because of the negative impact the shutdown is having on students' learning and mental health.
Speech Alone May Spread COVID-19, Study Shows
Speech Alone May Spread COVID-19, Study Shows: Small respiratory droplets produced while talking can hang in the air for at least eight minutes and perhaps even longer, researchers report.
Why Anti-Vaxxers Often Win Out on Facebook
Why Anti-Vaxxers Often Win Out on Facebook: Groups that spread vaccine misinformation on social media have more impact than government health agencies and other expert organizations on undecided people, a new study finds.
Providers, payers try to convince Supreme Court to not strike down ACA | FierceHealthcare
Providers, payers try to convince Supreme Court to not strike down ACA | FierceHealthcare: Provider and payer groups are imploring the Supreme Court to keep the ACA intact as a lawsuit threatens to unravel the controversial healthcare law.
Abbott's fast Covid-19 test may miss too many cases, NYU study finds - CNN
Abbott's fast Covid-19 test may miss too many cases, NYU study finds - CNN: A new study suggests that the Covid-19 diagnostic test being used by the White House frequently misses cases of the virus.
Trump's push for opening school clashes with Fauci's caution
Trump's push for opening school clashes with Fauci's caution: WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump called on governors across the nation to work to reopen schools that were closed because of the coronavirus, pointedly taking issue with Dr. Anthony...
Few details known as Georgia lawmakers prepare for June return
Few details known as Georgia lawmakers prepare for June return: With less than seven weeks until the Georgia General Assembly must approve a 2021 state budget, very...
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
‘It’s just cuckoo’: state’s latest data mishap...
‘It’s just cuckoo’: state’s latest data mishap...: Where does Sunday take place twice a week? And May 2 come before April 26?
Sudden Obsessions, Tantrums: What Is PANS in Kids?
Sudden Obsessions, Tantrums: What Is PANS in Kids?: Researchers may have gained new insights into a mystifying condition that causes children's behavior to change so severely and abruptly, it can be like they woke up as a different person.
Top Health Officials Warn Against Reopening as Millions More Americans Go Out
Top Health Officials Warn Against Reopening as Millions More Americans Go Out: Even as the country's top health officials testified to Congress on Tuesday about the dangers of reopening too quickly, a new report shows millions more Americans are now venturing out in public.
Primary care doctors fear delayed care will lead to serious illnesses, death | FierceHealthcare
Primary care doctors fear delayed care will lead to serious illnesses, death | FierceHealthcare: More than a third of primary care clinicians fear their patients will die because of delayed care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinicians predict primary care will be overwhelmed with pent-up demand, and the majority believe that some of their patients will experience avoidable illnesses, both due to diverted or avoided care, according to a new survey.
UnitedHealthcare plans bigger presence on Obamacare exchanges
UnitedHealthcare plans bigger presence on Obamacare exchanges: UnitedHealthcare plans to expand its footprint on the Affordable Care Act exchanges next year after exiting the marketplace in all but a handful of states in 2017.
House Democrats propose $100 billion for providers with new strings attached
House Democrats propose $100 billion for providers with new strings attached: Lawmakers had previously given HHS wide authority to distribute $175 billion to providers, but now they'd expect quarterly reports on how the funds are spent.
Kemp says Georgia summer camps can open with new safety rules
Kemp says Georgia summer camps can open with new safety rules: The Georgia governor issued safety guidelines in the absence of guidance from the federal government. At a briefing about the coronavirus, Gov. Brian Kemp said he was issuing detailed safety rules for summer day camps that decide to open. Overnight camps are prohibited for now.
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Pediatric Vaccinations Plunge Amidst COVID-19 | MedPage Today
Pediatric Vaccinations Plunge Amidst COVID-19 | MedPage Today: Steep drop-off observed after federal government declared national emergency
Can Schools Really Reopen Safely?
Can Schools Really Reopen Safely?: As parts of the United States begin to reopen, two big questions loom for parents -- how quickly can kids get back to school and can it be done safely?
COVID-19 Still Rare in Kids, But Far From Harmless: Study
COVID-19 Still Rare in Kids, But Far From Harmless: Study: As U.S. health officials start to learn how the new coronavirus affects children, a new study details the cases of 48 young patients who wound up in the intensive care units at 14 different hospitals after they were infected with COVID-19.
Pandemic Lockdown Increases Child Abuse Risk
Pandemic Lockdown Increases Child Abuse Risk: Hunkering down during the coronavirus pandemic has stressed families and raised the risk for child abuse, Penn State researchers report.
Stomach Ills May Signal COVID-19 in Kids, Study Says
Stomach Ills May Signal COVID-19 in Kids, Study Says: A cough or other respiratory symptoms aren't the only early signs of COVID-19 in children, according to researchers.
Fauci Will Testify to Senate on Danger of U.S. Reopening Too Soon
Fauci Will Testify to Senate on Danger of U.S. Reopening Too Soon: As states across America move through the early phases of reopening their economies, the nation's top infectious disease expert plans to issue an ominous warning during a Senate hearing on Tuesday: Open too quickly, and "needless suffering and death" will follow.
Monday, May 11, 2020
Large health insurers appear immune to COVID-19
Large health insurers appear immune to COVID-19: Large health insurers are benefiting from the deferral of non-urgent healthcare services, which has drained physician practices and hospitals of revenue.
Gaping hole in budget to confront returning General Assembly - News - The Augusta Chronicle - Augusta, GA
Gaping hole in budget to confront returning General Assembly - News - The Augusta Chronicle - Augusta, GA: ATLANTA — Georgia lawmakers due to reconvene the 2020 legislative session next month face a daunting task: plugging a projected budget shortfall of $3 billion to $4 billion inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic.“It’s a different world than it was three or four months ago,” said state Rep. Terry England, R-Auburn, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. “Nothing’s going to be easy.”England’s committee and its Georgia Senate counterpart
To Prevent Injuries, Give Your Kids a Pass on Cutting the Grass
To Prevent Injuries, Give Your Kids a Pass on Cutting the Grass: Asking your child to mow the lawn is a risky proposition, a new study suggests.
Healthcare loses 1.4 million jobs in April as unemployment rate hits 14.7%
Healthcare loses 1.4 million jobs in April as unemployment rate hits 14.7%: April's spike in unemployment marked the biggest monthly increase since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the metric in January 1948.
Kaiser reports $1.1 billion net loss in first quarter
Kaiser reports $1.1 billion net loss in first quarter: Kaiser Permanente reported a $1.1 billion net loss in the first quarter of 2020 as stocks slid on COVID-19 fears. The health system has since recovered about half of that.
Georgia ranks among the worst states in nation for working moms
Georgia ranks among the worst states in nation for working moms: In new report on working moms from WalletHub, Georgia ranked in the middle of the pack for professional opportunities, but was the worst in nation on work-life balance.
Kawasaki Disease From COVID-19 in Kids: How Common? | MedPage Today
Kawasaki Disease From COVID-19 in Kids: How Common? | MedPage Today: Warnings out on inflammatory syndrome but many questions remain
Friday, May 8, 2020
Coronavirus in Georgia: Labs overloaded with processing tests | Macon Telegraph
Coronavirus in Georgia: Labs overloaded with processing tests | Macon Telegraph: “The problem has become a limitation at the lab and beyond the lab... Now, we’re fixing the difficulties we’re having with those systems.”
Georgia medical marijuana board hires Andrew Turnage as director
Georgia medical marijuana board hires Andrew Turnage as director: The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission hired an executive director, Andrew Turnage, to manage the state's distribution program to patients.
Payer experts: Why COVID-19 will 'fundamentally' change care delivery | FierceHealthcare
Payer experts: Why COVID-19 will 'fundamentally' change care delivery | FierceHealthcare: As the country begins to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, what will the “new normal” look like? Health insurance industry experts say to expect a continued focus on telehealth.
Tech experts: Widespread adoption of telemedicine, remote monitoring 'here to stay' | FierceHealthcare
Tech experts: Widespread adoption of telemedicine, remote monitoring 'here to stay' | FierceHealthcare: Health systems across the country rapidly stood up virtual care programs to monitor COVID-19 patients from home and it provided to be a crucial tool during the pandemic. As the country begins to emerge from the health crisis, virtual tools have become a way of life for patients and providers, health technology experts say.
CMS finalizes changes to ACA plans for 2021, pushes back deadlines due to COVID-19 | FierceHealthcare
CMS finalizes changes to ACA plans for 2021, pushes back deadlines due to COVID-19 | FierceHealthcare: CMS finalized a slew of regulatory changes for the ACA plans, including allowing insurers to not count copay assistance from drug companies to out-of-pocket cost sharing and deductibles.
This Is the Future of the Pandemic - The New York Times
This Is the Future of the Pandemic - The New York Times: Covid-19 isn’t going away soon. Two recent studies mapped out the possible shapes of its trajectory.
How The Pandemic And An Anti-Vax Health Official Are Roiling A Montana Community | Kaiser Health News
How The Pandemic And An Anti-Vax Health Official Are Roiling A Montana Community | Kaiser Health News: In one conservative pocket of Montana, a local health board member who opposes vaccinations helped fight the state’s stay-at-home rules. But now, as the state slowly reopens, she faces a backlash of her own.
Concerns grow about returning children to schools, daycare
Concerns grow about returning children to schools, daycare: While children seem to be largely spared from COVID-19, those without symptoms may spread the disease. Vast changes may be needed for safety.
Autism diagnosis: Infants' sleep pattern might be indicator
Autism diagnosis: Infants' sleep pattern might be indicator: The researchers found that in a sample of more than 400 infants ages 6–12 months, those who were later diagnosed with autism were more likely to have had difficulty falling asleep.
Coronavirus may spread too fast for Georgia tracers to catch up
Coronavirus may spread too fast for Georgia tracers to catch up: After an 82-year-old woman died of COVID-19 in South Georgia, the state’s epidemiologist wante...
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Physician groups concerned about financial shortfall for treating patients with complex health needs | FierceHealthcare
Physician groups concerned about financial shortfall for treating patients with complex health needs | FierceHealthcare: The Trump administration has made sweeping changes to Medicare telehealth policies during the COVID-19 pandemic but physician groups are concerned they will still be underpaid for treating senior patients with complex health needs. Find out why some physician leaders say CMS has not gone far enough to support medical practices.
Mounting promises on Covid-19 vaccines are fueling false expectations
Mounting promises on Covid-19 vaccines are fueling false expectations: Encouraging news about vaccine development is being wrongly interpreted to mean a product could be available for the masses by the fall. It won't be.
Provider liability protections could get caught in partisan fight
Provider liability protections could get caught in partisan fight: Healthcare provider groups have lobbied lawmakers to protect them from liability for care given during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coronavirus cases, deaths projected to rise as Georgia reopens
Coronavirus cases, deaths projected to rise as Georgia reopens: Now that Georgia is reopening, teams of experts are calculating whether the rate at which peopl...
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Study Will Track Coronavirus in Kids, Their Families
Study Will Track Coronavirus in Kids, Their Families: U.S. researchers have started enrolling participants in a study to assess the rate of new coronavirus infection among children and their families.
The study -- sponsored and funded by the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) -- will also examine if rates of new coronavirus infection differ between children with and without asthma or other allergic conditions.
New Coronavirus Strain More Contagious, Scientists Say
New Coronavirus Strain More Contagious, Scientists Say: A new, mutated strain of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has become dominant and appears to be more contagious than the strain that spread during the early stages of the pandemic, scientists report.
New program for contact tracing underway in Georgia | FOX 5 Atlanta
New program for contact tracing underway in Georgia | FOX 5 Atlanta: Contact tracing could be key to helping to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The Georgia Department of Public Health is testing a new application to streamline the process.
Trump administration takes first step toward Medicaid provider grants
Trump administration takes first step toward Medicaid provider grants: The Trump administration is collecting information that could be used to distribute COVID-19 provider relief grant funds to providers that serve Medicaid enrollees.
In northeast Georgia, a new COVID-19 hot spot emerges
In northeast Georgia, a new COVID-19 hot spot emerges: A new coronavirus hotspot has emerged in northeast Georgia, stirring fears the region could see a devastating toll similar to southwest Georgia's.
States cut Medicaid as millions of jobless workers look to safety net - POLITICO
States cut Medicaid as millions of jobless workers look to safety net - POLITICO: Three states have cut back state spending on the program since the pandemic hit, and more are warning of painful cuts to benefits and services.
Kawasaki syndrome: 15 children develop inflammatory condition that may be linked to coronavirus - The Washington Post
Kawasaki syndrome: 15 children develop inflammatory condition that may be linked to coronavirus - The Washington Post: The children, ages 2 to 15 years, experienced persistent fever and elevated inflammatory markers similar to a syndrome known as Kawasaki disease. More than half had a rash, abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhea. Less than half had any respiratory symptoms.
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Childbirth And Coronavirus: The Pandemic's Toll On Atlanta Mothers And Midwives | 90.1 FM WABE
Childbirth And Coronavirus: The Pandemic's Toll On Atlanta Mothers And Midwives | 90.1 FM WABE: Women going into labor at metro Atlanta hospitals can expect limits on the number of relatives, spouses, or birthing coaches who can be close by during the coronavirus pandemic. For high-risk pregnancies or mothers with existing health conditions like hypertension and diabetes, delivering in a hospital is their
Hospital and provider groups cheer new CMS flexibility on telehealth, capacity and ACO losses | FierceHealthcare
Hospital and provider groups cheer new CMS flexibility on telehealth, capacity and ACO losses | FierceHealthcare: Hospital and provider groups applauded a series of changes from CMS aimed at increasing regulatory flexibility for providers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hospitals may contribute to racial maternal morbidity disparities, study finds
Hospitals may contribute to racial maternal morbidity disparities, study finds: New evidence suggests that hospitals may be a contributing factor to the racial and socioeconomic disparities found in pregnancy complications.
Insurer-owned medical practices received CARES Act provider grants
Insurer-owned medical practices received CARES Act provider grants: Medical practices owned by insurers got some of the $175 billion grant fund Congress set up to help providers offset coronavirus-related expenses and losses.
Testing, PPE limitations slow restart of deferred care
Testing, PPE limitations slow restart of deferred care: Around 60% of front-line healthcare workers surveyed said they are not prepared or only somewhat prepared to take on more non-COVID-19 patients.
Georgia’s COVID-19 fight far from over, CDC report indicates
Georgia’s COVID-19 fight far from over, CDC report indicates: Despite weeks of social distancing to contain the coronavirus, the outbreak continues to worsen in many parts of Georgia, a federal report shows.
Monday, May 4, 2020
Is It Safe To Bring My Child In For Vaccinations During Coronavirus? : Shots - Health News : NPR
Is It Safe To Bring My Child In For Vaccinations During Coronavirus? : Shots - Health News : NPR: Telemedicine has its limits. And postponing shots could lead to a resurgence of diseases like measles. Doctors are taking steps to make their offices safe for kids who need to come in.
Georgia coronavirus costs escalate as revenue plummets
Georgia coronavirus costs escalate as revenue plummets: One Georgia agency has authorized $85.3 million in expenditures to fight the pandemic.
COVID-19 leaves primary care in dire straits
COVID-19 leaves primary care in dire straits: Advocates are asking lawmakers to change funding programs to ensure practices can stay open.
Georgia senators prepare for Capitol return after coronavirus recovery
Georgia senators prepare for Capitol return after coronavirus recovery: After nearly 10% of Georgia’s state senators tested positive for the coronavirus in March, law...
Many Georgia summer camps either will not open, or will open late
Many Georgia summer camps either will not open, or will open late: Camp operators have numerous concerns, with safety during a pandemic atop the list, but many parents may still have to leave home for jobs
Georgia coronavirus costs escalate as revenue plummets
Georgia coronavirus costs escalate as revenue plummets: One Georgia agency has authorized $85.3 million in expenditures to fight the pandemic.
Sick Georgians avoiding ER because of fear of COVID-19
Sick Georgians avoiding ER because of fear of COVID-19: A large numbers of should-be patients are staying home, avoiding medical care — even routine care in doctors' offices — for fear of the coronavirus.
Friday, May 1, 2020
As Georgia Reopens, Virus Study Shows Black Residents May Bear Brunt - The New York Times
As Georgia Reopens, Virus Study Shows Black Residents May Bear Brunt - The New York Times: A C.D.C. report released Wednesday suggests that the African-American community in the state is especially vulnerable to infection.
Coronavirus outbreak: Live updates on COVID-19
Coronavirus outbreak: Live updates on COVID-19: Live updates from Modern Healthcare on the coronavirus outbreak and how COVID-19 is affecting the healthcare industry.
Georgia governor ends stay-at-home order, shifts focus to economy
Georgia governor ends stay-at-home order, shifts focus to economy: Gov. Brian Kemp ends stay-home mandate, indicating he thinks the cost of fighting the coronavirus became too steep for Georgia's economy to afford.
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