AMA Accused Of Spreading Misinfo About Physician Associates
The accusation comes from the American Academy of Physician Associates, which also said in a public letter to the American Medical Association dated Tuesday, that the AMA was disparaging the profession. Also in the news: school nurse burdens, nursing union contract negotiations, and more.
Modern Healthcare:
American Academy Of Physician Associates Calls Out AMA
The American Academy of Physician Associates is calling out the American Medical Association for allegedly spreading misinformation and making disparaging remarks about the profession. In a letter to the AMA dated Tuesday and made public, the trade group said the AMA has not responded to its request to meet to discuss "the impact of AMA’s disparaging rhetoric targeted at the physician associate profession." (DeSilva, 9/3)
In nursing news —
AP:
Oregon Hospital Hit With $303M Lawsuit After A Nurse Is Accused Of Replacing Fentanyl With Tap Water
Attorneys representing both living and deceased patients of an Oregon hospital filed a $303 million lawsuit against the facility on Tuesday after a nurse was accused of replacing prescribed fentanyl with nonsterile tap water in intravenous drips. The wrongful death and medical malpractice complaint accuses Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford of negligence. The suit says the hospital failed to monitor medication administration procedures and prevent drug diversion by their employees, among other claims. A spokesperson said the hospital had no comment. (9/3)
Minnesota Public Radio:
As School Begins, Nurses Face High Turnover And Heightened Student Mental Health Needs
Tuesday is the first day of school for many students and school nurses in some areas of the state are facing pressures on staffing. Tara Cliff, health services supervisor at Eastern Carver County schools, said that turnover has been a challenge for her district so she’s spending the start of the school year getting new nurses ready. (Moini and Bui, 9/3)
Modern Healthcare:
Where Nursing Unions Are Negotiating With Hospitals In 2024
Thousands of healthcare workers nationwide are negotiating for new contracts, and staff at some facilities are preparing for the possibility of strikes in the coming months. Nurses at HCA Healthcare’s MountainView Hospital in Las Vegas voted last week to authorize a strike if no progress is made in negotiating for a contract that ensures higher pay, meal breaks for nurses and better retention strategies. (Devereaux, 9/3)
More health industry updates —
Modern Healthcare:
UnitedHealthcare To Launch Prior Authorization Gold Card Program
UnitedHealthcare is launching a program next month geared toward streamlining prior authorization for qualifying providers. The UnitedHealth Group subsidiary's "gold card" program, offered across its commercial, individual exchange, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid business lines, will allow certain providers to use a simplified process for about 500 procedure codes. (DeSilva, 9/3)
CNBC:
Retirees Can Face A 'Phantom Tax' On Marketplace Health Insurance
Since most Americans aren’t eligible for Medicare before age 65, many younger retirees rely on Marketplace health insurance, which offers lower monthly premiums through the end of 2025 thanks to boosted tax breaks. But retirees can face a costly tax surprise without proper planning, experts say. (Dore, 9/3)
The Boston Globe:
After The Closing Of Carney Hospital, Residents Wonder Who Is To Blame
Bill Walczak knows as much about community health care as anyone in Boston. And the closing last weekend of the Carney Hospital in Dorchester — his neighborhood — has left him gutted. Not just sad, but angry. “I think the parts of state government that are responsible for our health care had an opportunity to save the parts of Carney that are essential — the emergency room, the psychiatric care, and the residency program,” he said Tuesday. “And they chose not to.” (Walker, 9/3)
Modern Healthcare:
Prime Healthcare Taps Sunny Bhatia As First President
Prime Healthcare has named Dr. Sunny Bhatia as its first systemwide president, the health system announced Tuesday. The cardiologist was most recently CEO of the health system's West Coast region. He joined Prime in 2011, serving as chief medical officer at its Sherman Oaks Hospital and Encino Hospital Medical Center, both in California. (DeSilva, 9/3)
The Boston Globe:
Inside The Secret Financial Dealings Of Steward CEO Ralph de la Torre
A new Spotlight investigation reveals that as Steward Health spiraled toward bankruptcy, the CEO used its bank account as his own. (Krueger, Bartlett and McCarthy, 9/3)
