Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Communication Key To Coping With Changing Roles Of Health Care Workers
Modern Healthcare: COVID-19 Tests Remote Work Capacity
When around 10,000 Advocate Aurora Health administrative employees had to abruptly transition to working remotely in March, the health system quickly realized that everyone’s situation was unique. Some had to work around their children’s schedule, while some had to take care of family members. The independence of working from home and the ease of access suited some, but others missed interpersonal connection. To ease the transition for working parents, the health system, which operates in Illinois and Wisconsin, offered a childcare subsidy of $125 per week for most of the summer. It recently reinstated the program as kids and their parents adjust to school amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Kaick, 10/8)
Billings Gazette: Health Care Workers Need Public Support Now More Than Ever, Billings Nurse Says
A continuing surge in COVID-19 cases in Yellowstone County has stretched the regional health care hub thin. Health care providers are overworked as the county sees record high case counts and hospitalizations. As of Wednesday the county had more than 1,100 active cases and accounted for nearly a quarter of the state's active cases. (Sukut, 10/8)
North Carolina Health News: UNC Expert: Pivot On COVID Messages
David Wohl has been on the frontlines battling COVID-19 for the past seven months, helping to set up crucial testing sites both in Chapel Hill and in underserved Lee County communities. The infectious disease specialist at the UNC Chapel Hill medical school also has been treating patients sickened by the novel coronavirus at UNC Health. (Blythe, 10/9)
Crain's Chicago Business: What's In Store For The Exec Tapped To Lead Cook County Health
In the midst of the gravest public health crisis in generations, Cook County Health has been searching for a permanent leader. It found one in Israel Rocha Jr., an executive at NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest public health system in the nation. Cook County Health’s independent board of directors has proposed Rocha as CEO, and the Cook County Board of Commissioners is expected to weigh in later this month. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said today that she intends to support Rocha's appointment. (Goldberg and Quig, 10/8)
