Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Florida Hospitals Postponing Elective Surgeries Because Of Covid Surge
Becker's Hospital Review: More Florida Hospitals Postpone Elective Surgeries
More Florida hospitals are postponing elective surgeries as COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state reach record highs. ... Several Florida health systems, including Health First in Rockledge, Baptist Health in Jacksonville and AdventHealth in Altamonte Springs, already postponed or limited nonemergency surgeries. Now, more hospitals in the state are limiting these surgeries to free up bed space and staffing resources. BayCare Health System in Clearwater will scale back elective procedures at some of its facilities later this week, the Tampa Bay Times reported July 28. The changes will affect overnight hospital stays. (Paavola, 7/29)
Tampa Bay Times: BayCare To Pause Some Elective Procedures As Virus Cases Surge
St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa and other BayCare Health System facilities will scale back their elective procedures later this week as COVID-19 cases surge, spokesperson Lisa Razler confirmed Wednesday. The changes will impact elective procedures that involve an overnight visit in an inpatient bed, and will take place in various Hillsborough and Polk County facilities as a response to an increase in patients in the hospitals. (Weber, 7/27)
In telehealth news —
Fierce Healthcare: In Record-Setting Quarter, These 5 Telehealth Startups Raked In $1.6B In Funding
Despite investor fears of a telehealth slowdown, the market banked a record-setting $5 billion in 163 funding deals in the second quarter of 2021. Global telehealth investment rose for the fourth consecutive quarter, growing 17% quarter over quarter and 169% year over year, according to a new report from market intelligence company CB Insights. (Landi, 7/30)
Modern Healthcare: Avera Health Sells ECare Telehealth Business To PE Firm
Avera Health is selling its clinician-to-clinician telehealth business Avera eCare to a private-equity firm in a deal expected to close this year. Aquiline Capital Partners, a private equity firm based in New York and London, will acquire Avera eCare, which connects specialists to local clinicians at facilities across the U.S. The new owners will rename the operation Avel eCare and carve it out from its own business. (Cohen, 7/29)
In other health care industry news —
Becker's Hospital Review: Icahn School Of Medicine Wants Up To 10 Schools To Try Its Antiracism Model
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is launching a three-year project under which other schools can test its antiracism model for medical education, according to a July 29 news release. Up to 10 medical schools in the U.S. and Canada can participate in Icahn Mount Siani's Anti-Racist Transformation in Medical Education model. The virtual model includes assessments, outcome and performance monitoring and coaching to address racial inequities in medical education. (Haefner, 7/29)
Fierce Healthcare: Kaiser Permanente's Health Plan Files 'Pay For Delay' Suit Against Merck Over Cholesterol Drugs
Kaiser Permanente's health plan has filed suit against Merck and the company manufacturing generics of two of its popular products over delays in the launch of those generics. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan's suit claims that the insurer paid hundreds of millions more for cholesterol drugs Zetia and Vytorin because the companies agreed to delay the launch of generic competitors. (Minemyer, 7/29)
Axios: What To Know About The Health Care Industry's Q2 Earnings
UnitedHealth Group, HCA Healthcare and Pfizer have been the most notable health care companies to post Q2 earnings so far, but this week has been chock-full of others. The second quarter for Universal Health Services was so profitable that it returned $189 million in federal coronavirus bailout funds. But executives cautioned higher COVID cases may lead to labor shortages. Meanwhile, Community Health Systems is eking out profits in large part due to bailout money. (Herman, 7/29)
Modern Healthcare: Houston Med School To Open Direct Primary-Care Clinic For Uninsured
University of Houston College of Medicine plans to open a low-cost direct primary care clinic for the city's uninsured population, thanks to $1 million donation received Wednesday. The Cullen Trust for Health Care made the donation in an effort to increase access to primary care for vulnerable residents. The clinic is set to open in fall 2021. (Gellman, 7/29)
Crain's Cleveland Business: CWRU, MetroHealth Extend Affiliation Through 2031
Case Western Reserve University and MetroHealth have agreed to extend their education and research partnership for another decade, continuing medical students' clinical learning opportunities through June 30, 2031. The announced agreement also includes a shared commitment to identify additional education options for CWRU's allied health students within MetroHealth and signals the hospital's commitment to increasing its research efforts, according to a news release. (7/29)
