Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Some Health Care Workers, Officials Feel Heat Of Public's Glare
Idaho Statesman: Amid Protests At Meeting, CDH Board Members’ Homes, COVID Health Order Vote Postponed
The Central District Health Board of Health meeting Tuesday night to discuss and vote on a public health order dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic was adjourned shortly after it started because of the danger posed by protesters at the CDH facility and at some board members’ places of residence. Moments after a tearful Commissioner Diana Lachiondo left the virtual meeting to head to her house — where her son was home alone and anti-mask, anti-health measure protesters had reportedly gathered — CDH Director Russ Duke interrupted a doctor’s statements on the toll of the coronavirus to tell the board and people watching that Boise Mayor Lauren McLean and Boise Police Chief Ryan Lee had requested that the meeting be ended for safety reasons. (Brown, Keyser and Harding, 12/8)
AP: Salem Nurse Who Mocked COVID-19 Rules To Stop Practicing
A nurse at Salem Health who on social media flouted Oregon’s COVID-19 restrictions last month has agreed to stop working for the healthcare provider. KOIN-TV reported Tuesday that Ashley Grames received an Interim Consent Order for her departure effective Dec. 8, according to state records. (12/8)
AP: Pediatrician's License Suspended In Oregon Over Vaccines
The Oregon Medical Board has suspended the license of Portland Dr. Paul Thomas, citing multiple cases in which he allegedly failed to adequately vaccinate patients, including one involving a child who contracted tetanus and required hospitalization. According to last week’s order, the medical board can temporarily suspend a medical license without a hearing when it has evidence that a doctor’s continued practice constitutes an immediate danger to the public, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. (12/9)
In other news —
Albuquerque Journal: Physicians Outline ‘Objective’ Standards For Rationing Care In NM
A patient’s chance of survival – not age, occupation or ability to pay – will guide the rationing of medical treatment as New Mexico prepares to invoke crisis standards of care in its hospitals. In an online briefing Tuesday, hospital and health care leaders said the rationing of care isn’t yet necessary, but they are bracing for the possibility because of a dramatic increase in COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization. (McKay, 12/8)
