Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Hospitals See Opportunities in Covid Shots
Modern Healthcare: Hospitals Look To Build New Relationships During Vaccine Rollout
Well before the rollout of the first approved COVID-19 vaccine, questions loomed over how those tasked with its administration planned to ensure access for member of communities hardest hit by the pandemic. Yet, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that as of March 25, only 8% of Blacks, 9% of Latinos, 5% of Asians, less than 2% of Native Americans and Alaskan Natives, and just .6% of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have received at least one dose compared to 66% of white individuals. Hospitals have taken a leading role in trying to address this disparity. (Johnson, 3/29)
Modern Healthcare: States Can Restart Normal Hospital Survey Activities Effective March 23
State survey agencies can restart normal hospital survey activities effective March 23, CMS said Friday. The agency had limited 30-day hospital surveys to complaint surveys involving immediate jeopardy, noncompliance with Medicare hospital conditions of participation and the need for immediate action to protect the health and safety of patients. CMS had paused hospital recertification surveys for most hospitals and enforcement actions for deficiencies near the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a memo, all non-immediate jeopardy complaints received since Jan. 20 must be investigated within 45 days. Hospitals must also file their plans of correction for deficiencies noted in surveys since Jan. 20. (Brady, 3/29)
CNN: A Year Ago, This Frontline Worker Was Fighting For His Life. Now He's Walking For The First Time Since Covid-19
It's been nearly a year since healthcare worker, Peter Woullard, has walked on his own. The 53-year-old, who contracted Covid-19 last March, lost his ability to stand and walk after spending months in the hospital fighting for his life. "I have nerve damage in certain areas of my body and also weakness," he told CNN on Monday. "From just laying in one position for so long it took a lot of my strength from me." (Jackson, 3/30)
Modern Healthcare: Malpractice Premiums Peak In 2020, AMA Survey Shows
Medical liability insurance premiums have started to tick up after holding relatively steady over the past decade, a new report found. More than a quarter of physician practices' malpractice premiums increased in 2019 and 2020, up from around 13% to 15% from 2011 to 2018, according to the American Medical Association's annual rate surveys that monitor general surgery, obstetrics and internal medicine. More than 5% of physician practices saw their premiums jump more than 10% in 2020; 25.9% experienced up to a 9.9% increase, which was the highest share over the past decade. The 2020 premiums were set prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers noted. (Kacik, 3/29)
