Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Lyft Makes Deal To Make Transports Easier For Patients In Non-Emergencies
Modern Healthcare: Lyft Continues Healthcare Push With Epic EHR Integration
Lyft on Thursday announced an integration with Epic Systems Corp.'s electronic health record system, marking the ride-sharing company's latest step into healthcare. Through the new program, staff at participating hospitals will be able to use a patient's medical record to order Lyft rides if they need help traveling to or from non-emergency medical appointments. (Cohen, 10/8)
Modern Healthcare: HCA To Return $6B In CARES Act Funds, Accelerated Payments
HCA Healthcare said Thursday it plans to return all of the $1.6 billion in federal COVID-19 relief grants it received to offset COVID-19 losses as well as $4.4 billion in Medicare accelerated payments. Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA fared well through the COVID-19 pandemic. The for-profit hospital chain said it took a conservative approach early on in the pandemic that is now allowing it to give back all of its share of the Provider Relief Fund grants it received through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. (Bannow, 10/8)
Modern Healthcare: White House Billing Transparency Metrics Inspired By Billionaire-Funded Research
The White House's newest requirement for hospitals to publicly report billing quality metrics was inspired by Johns Hopkins University researchers who received funding from billionaire philanthropists looking to influence healthcare policy. The billing quality measures were announced in an executive order President Donald Trump signed on Sept. 24. Dr. Marty Makary, a Johns Hopkins professor, laid out similar metrics in academic literature that were designed to help foster accountability for some hospitals' predatory billing practices. (Cohrs, 10/8)
Also —
The Oklahoman: EMSA, Contractor Dispute Reason For Delays In Answering Emergency Calls
Ambulance response times for the most serious emergencies are below minimum standards and getting worse in Oklahoma City. That is the assessment of Jim Winham, president of the Emergency Medical Services Authority, in a scathing letter to executives of American Medical Response (AMR), the contractor responsible for day-to-day ambulance operations in the city. (Crum, 10/9)
