Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Fauci Says PPE Shortages Led To Many Health Worker Deaths
Guardian/KHN: Fauci Thanks US Health Workers For Sacrifices But Admits PPE Shortages Drove Up Death Toll
Dr. Anthony Fauci thanked America’s health care workers, who “every single day put themselves at risk” during the pandemic, even as he acknowledged that PPE shortages had contributed to the deaths of more than 3,600 of them. “We rightfully refer to these people without hyperbole — that they are true heroes and heroines,” he said in an exclusive interview with The Guardian. The deaths of so many health workers from covid-19 are “a reflection of what health care workers have done historically, but putting themselves in harm’s way by living up to the oath they take when they become physicians and nurses,” said Fauci. (Glenza, 4/9)
Becker's Hospital Review: Congress Urged To Boost Funding For Training Of Pediatric Healthcare Workers
Twenty organizations, including the American Healthcare Association and Academic Pediatric Association, are urging Congress to increase funding for a program that's trained half of all U.S. pediatric residents. The Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education program was created by Congress in 1999 to support the training of pediatric healthcare workers and expands access to care for children. But per-trainee funding of the program lags that of other federal programs supporting physician training, according to a letter from American Hospital Association and other supporters. (Paavola, 4/8)
NH Union Leader: New Boston Nurse Charged With Breaking Fingers Of Patient
A nurse at the Rose Meadow Farm assisted living facility has been charged with breaking the fingers of a resident as the resident clutched the call bell, authorities announced Thursday. Nancy A. Waller, 65, of New Boston was arrested Thursday and charged with second-degree assault, simple assault and two counts of abuse of a facility patient, Deputy Attorney General Jane Young said in a statement. (4/8)
Guardian/KHN: ‘My Children Were Priceless Jewels’: Three Families Reflect On The Health Workers They Lost
The daughter of an internist in the Bronx, the father of a nurse practitioner in Southern California and the son of a nurse in McAllen, Texas, share how grief over their loved ones’ deaths from covid-19 has affected them. These health care workers were profiled in KHN and The Guardian’s yearlong “Lost on the Frontline” project. (Renwick, 4/9)
Also —
AP: Slain South Carolina Doctor Wrote Of Faith, Life's Fragility
Robert Lesslie, the South Carolina physician and author who authorities say was killed along with three family members and a repairman by former NFL player Phillip Adams, frequently wrote of the fragility of life and a deep-seated Christian faith that guided him personally and professionally. “I know without a doubt that life is fragile,” the 70-year-old doctor wrote in one of his books, a collection of missives he termed “inspiring true stories” from his medical work. “I have come to understand that humility may be the greatest virtue. And I am convinced we need to take the time to say the things we deeply feel to the people we deeply care about.” (Kinnard, 4/9)
