Hospitals, Insurer Take Steps Against Racism

WBUR: How Mass General Brigham Plans To Dismantle Racism In And Outside Hospital Walls
Mass General Brigham is out with a plan to dismantle racism within its 12-hospital network. The project, called “United Against Racism,” includes changes in leadership, culture and patient care. It also expands efforts to address hunger, housing and job opportunities outside hospital walls. (Bebinger, 10/28)

Crain's Chicago Business: Blue Cross Of Illinois Launching Health Equity Programs
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois is piloting new programs to improve health outcomes for minorities and increase racial and ethnic diversity among medical professionals. The initiatives come amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disproportionately affected people of color and highlighted longstanding disparities in access to food, housing, education, safety and wealth. Such inequities led Illinois’ dominant insurer to develop the Health Equity Hospital Quality Incentive Program, said Salma Khaleq, vice president of provider strategy and partnerships for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois. (Goldberg, 10/28)

In other health care industry news —

CIDRAP: PPE Still Lacking In Nursing Homes As COVID Doubles Down
Two new studies detail US nursing home preparedness amid the COVID-19 pandemic, one finding that 20% of facilities had less than 1 week's supply of at least one type of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the other showing that homes owned by private equity firms performed on par with those under other types of ownership in terms of coronavirus cases and deaths but stored less PPE. (Van Beusekom, 10/28)

AP: Ex-Weatherman Who Threatened Health Director Gets Probation
A former Omaha TV weatherman and spokesman for a former mayor has been sentenced to two years of probation for emailing death threats to a local health department director over her handling of the coronavirus outbreak. Ronald Penzkowski, 58, was sentenced Tuesday, the Omaha World-Herald reported. Penzkowski pleaded no contest earlier this year to two misdemeanor counts of third-degree assault. He initially had been charged with a felony count of making terroristic threats. (10/28)

Modern Healthcare: Healthcare Providers' Campaign Spending Skews Toward Democrats
A greater share of hospitals' and nursing homes' political contributions have gone to Democrats in 2020 than in recent election cycles, according to campaign finance disclosures. The spending favoring Democrats comes as polls show they are likely to hold the House of Representatives and have a fighting chance to take the Senate. Big provider lobbying groups have also spent on behalf of candidates in both parties positioned to gain power, and some who are physicians. (Cohrs, 10/29)

Modern Healthcare: Baylor, Catalyst Health Network Partner To Drive Down Healthcare Costs
Baylor Scott & White's clinically integrated network and the Texas-based primary care network Catalyst Health Network have formed a partnership focused on reducing healthcare costs and improving access for northern Texas residents. The partnership, announced this week, will involve the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and the Catalyst Health Network working together to influence new services and cost of insurance by employers and insurers in the North Texas region. (Castellucci, 10/28)

Modern Healthcare: Aetna To Pay $1 Million HIPAA Fine Over Three Incidents
Aetna has agreed to pay HHS' Office for Civil Rights $1 million to resolve alleged HIPAA violations stemming from three separate incidents the health insurance giant reported in 2017, the agency said Wednesday. Aetna has been a subsidiary of CVS Health since 2018. (Cohen, 10/28)

Modern Healthcare: Anthem To Pay $594 Million In Blues Antitrust Settlement
National health insurer Anthem said Wednesday that it will pay $594 million as part of a settlement reached by Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in a federal antitrust lawsuit. Anthem, a Blue plan that operates in 14 states, recorded the charge in the third quarter of 2020, though the settlement still must be approved by a federal court. Anthem said both the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and its member plans have signed off on the settlement. (Livingston, 10/28)

Modern Healthcare: Community Health Centers Argue 340B Rule Is Unnecessary And Harmful
The Trump administration's plan to lower insulin and Epi-Pen costs for community health center patients is unnecessary and could do more harm than good, according to comments on the proposed rule. The National Association of Community Health Centers said the proposed rule reflects "a fundamental misunderstanding" of Federally Qualified Community Health Centers and the 340B program. Providers argued community health centers already have to care for patients based on their ability to pay and usually have programs to help them afford their medication if they don't have enough money. (Brady, 10/28)