Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Many Hospitals Continue Elective Surgeries
The Advocate: Will The New Coronavirus Wave Halt Surgeries And Other Procedures? Not Yet, Local Hospitals Say
When the coronavirus outbreak intensified in the spring, Louisianans diagnosed with diseases or needing surgeries had to wait weeks for follow-up care as hospitals were forced to push back certain surgeries and procedures. But now, unlike the early stages of the viral outbreak, hospitals say they plan to balance their resources and ability to provide elective procedures — like joint replacements and heart and cancer surgeries, among others that aren't considered an emergency. (Rddad, 12/6)
In other health industry news —
AP: Computer Systems Down At Greater Baltimore Medical Center
A spokesman for the Greater Baltimore Medical Center says the medical center’s computer system has experienced a disruption. WBAL-TV reported it happened early Sunday. The medical center’s spokesman tells the station the network disruption affected information technology systems. John Lazarou says while many of the systems are down, GBMC HealthCare has processes in place to maintain safe and effective patient care. (12/6)
Stat: CommonHealth, Android Health Data App, Expands To 230 Health Systems
A cohort of researchers and developers announced Friday that the Android app CommonHealth — which lets users see and share health data such as lab test results, immunizations, and medications from their records — is now connected to 230 U.S. health systems. (Brodwin, 12/4)
Modern Healthcare: FTC Sues To Block Hackensack Meridian-Englewood Deal
Federal regulators sued to block Hackensack Meridian Health's acquisition of Englewood Health, claiming that it would tip the competitive scales in an already concentrated acute-care market in Bergen County, N.J. The combined health system would control three of the six acute-care hospitals in the county, eliminating otherwise close competitors in the process, the Federal Trade Commission said in its complaint on Thursday. Hackensack would be able to demand higher rates from insurers, which may lead to higher insurance premiums and other out-of-pocket costs, regulators said, adding that the deal would also reduce incentives to improve quality. (Kacik, 12/4)
Modern Healthcare: Sanford Ends Merger Talks With Intermountain After CEO's Abrupt Departure
The merger talks are off between Sanford Health and Intermountain Healthcare, just a month after an agreement was announced and just over a week after Sanford's CEO abruptly stepped down. Former Sanford CEO Kelby Krabbenhoft left Nov. 24 in what the board called a mutual decision after making the controversial claim that he didn't need to wear a mask because he can't transmit COVID-19 after contracting the coronavirus. Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford cited the leadership change in its decision to pause current merger and acquisition activity while they address other needs. (Bannow, 12/4)
Also —
The Washington Post: Oregon Doctor Steven LaTulippe, Who Derided Masks, Has Medical License Suspended
Deriding mask-wearing, Steven LaTulippe has touted his credentials as a “practicing physician.” Last month, he urged Trump supporters gathered in Salem, Ore., to “take off the mask of shame” — though hardly a covered face was in sight — and said proudly, to claps and cheers, that none of his clinic staff wore the simple accessories shown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. “And how many problems did we have in our clinic from that?” he asked. “Zero! Absolutely none.”LaTulippe’s license to practice medicine has now been suspended. (Knowles, 12/5)
