Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
About 900 Chicago Nurses Go On Strike Over Staffing Shortages
Crain's Chicago Business: Chicago County Faces One-Two Punch Of Nurse Strikes
Hundreds of nurses are holding a one-day strike Thursday against Cook County Health, forcing the health system to postpone some surgeries and divert ambulances elsewhere. Around 900 nurses, represented by National Nurses Organizing Committee, are striking over staffing concerns. Another 330 in "essential areas" were prevented from striking after Cook County Health "received a court-ordered injunction Wednesday," according to a statement. (Asplund, 6/24)
Axios: Doctors Face Hurdles To Mental Health Care Amid Rising Distress
With an already high-pressure job — made exponentially more stressful amid the pandemic — physicians around the U.S. faced soaring levels of mental distress in the last year and a dearth of resources to help them, Vox reports. The providers who are often the first line of defense in caring for patients with mental health crises face major hurdles — including fear of harm to their career and lack of support from employers — to getting help themselves. (Reed, 6/24)
Savannah Morning News: St. Joseph's/Candler Still Grappling With Effects Of Ransomware Attack
Nearly a week after a ransomware attack was first detected at St. Joseph's/Candler, the area's largest healthcare system is not yet back to normal. Spokesman Scott Larson released this update Wednesday afternoon: "St. Joseph’s/Candler is continuing to investigate the 6/17 cybersecurity incident and has been in contact with the FBI. Our physicians, nurses and staff are working diligently to provide patient care. SJ/C is admitting patients and performing surgeries, and oncology services are currently on schedule." (Landers, 6/23)
Modern Healthcare: Health Catalyst To Buy Twistle For $104.5M
Health Catalyst plans to acquire patient engagement company Twistle, the data warehousing and analytics company said Thursday. Salt Lake City-based Health Catalyst will acquire Twistle's equity interests for an estimated $104.5 million, plus a potential earn-out of up to $65 million based on performance targets, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Health Catalyst plans to fund the purchase with $57.5 million in cash and $47 million in company stock. (Kim Cohen, 6/24)
Axios: Wall Street Bets Big On Mental Health Provider LifeStance
Mental health care provider LifeStance Health has traded publicly for two weeks, and its stock has soared 57% from its $18 IPO price, giving the company a $10.6 billion valuation. LifeStance's business rests on the idea that future demand for mental health services will continue to grow in the wake of the pandemic. (Herman, 6/24)
KHN: No Vacancy: How A Shortage Of Mental Health Beds Keeps Kids Trapped Inside ERs
One evening in late March, a mom called 911. Her daughter, she said, was threatening to kill herself. EMTs arrived at the home north of Boston, helped calm the 13-year-old, and took her to an emergency room. Melinda, like a growing number of children during the covid-19 pandemic, had become increasingly anxious and depressed as she spent more time away from in-person contact at school, church and her singing lessons. (Bebinger, 6/25)
