Coronavirus pandemic
Insurance focused on virtual visits? The pros and cons of a new twist in health plans
By Julie Appleby, Kaiser Health News At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, people often relied on telemedicine for doctor visits. Now, insurers are betting that some patients liked it enough to embrace new types of health coverage that encourages video visits — or outright insists on them. Priority Health in Michigan, for example, offers […]
COVID-19 surge begins to ease in Ohio
A two-month surge in COVID-19 infections in Ohio appears to be easing, state data shows. On Oct. 1, the average rate of new infections by day fell to about 5,000, down from a recent high of about 7,400 per day in mid-September. While less pronounced, the number of patients in the hospital on a given […]
FDA panel backs COVID-19 booster shots only for elderly and high-risk Americans
WASHINGTON — A federal health advisory panel wrestled Friday with whether to widely authorize a booster dose of Pfizer’s two-shot COVID-19 vaccine for most Americans, ultimately recommending that a third dose be offered only to older or higher-risk individuals. The Biden administration had hoped that states could begin rolling out a wide national booster shot […]
Arizona attorney general first to sue over Biden vaccine requirement on private businesses
WASHINGTON — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich on Tuesday filed the first lawsuit against the Biden administration’s upcoming COVID-19 vaccine rule for private companies with at least 100 employees, arguing that the federal requirement violates the U.S. Constitution. In the legal complaint, Brnovich argues that the business vaccine and testing rules President Joe Biden announced last week violate […]
As child COVID toll mounts, governor says legislature has tied his hands
Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday blamed Republican lawmakers for his inability to take stronger action against a surge in coronavirus cases — particularly among children. But he wouldn’t say they shared blame for a crisis that is putting children and adults on ventilators and straining hospital capacity across the state. And despite saying he’d like […]
Billions of dollars in federal rental aid remains stalled in slow-moving states, localities
WASHINGTON — Make it simpler to apply for rental assistance money. Allow landlords to apply on behalf of unresponsive tenants. And consolidate two overlapping federal programs aimed at getting financial help to struggling renters. Those were among the proposals that U.S. House members weighed during a hearing Friday on how to better help states and localities […]
20 years after 9/11 emergency hospital and emergency preparedness remains key
By Mike Abrams, President & CEO, Ohio Hospital Association The devastating fallout of Hurricane Ida coupled with the escalation of cases and hospitalizations from COVID-19 and devastating wildfires in the West demonstrate the vital importance of emergency preparedness planning. The actions taken nationally and locally after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, ushered in a […]
Biden to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for federal employees and contractors, reports say
WASHINGTON — Federal employees will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 with no opt-out for testing under an executive order that President Joe Biden is expected to sign Thursday, according to several news outlets. The new requirement will be rolled out as Biden gives a major address Thursday afternoon on new national strategies for combating […]
Columbus Public Health Department is requiring COVID-19 vaccines for employees
The city of Columbus’ public health department will require COVID-19 vaccination for all of its employees, the agency announced in a release Tuesday. Following the Food and Drug Administration’s full approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, Columbus Public Health will join all four central Ohio hospital systems and many other local and national employers in […]
Court ruling dismisses science, jeopardizes Ohioans’ health
By Thomas M. File, Jr., MD and Joel A. Kammeyer, MD, MPH A Butler County judge ignored scientific evidence and proven patient care when he ordered West Chester Hospital to treat a seriously ill COVID-19 patient with the livestock deworming drug ivermectin. This drug, which has been proven safe and effective for treating head lice […]
Medicaid vaccination rates founder as states struggle to immunize their poorest residents
By Phil Galewitz, Kaiser Health News Medicaid enrollees are getting vaccinated against COVID-19 at far lower rates than the general population as states search for the best strategies to improve access to the shots and persuade those who remain hesitant. Efforts by state Medicaid agencies and the private health plans that most states pay to […]
Everything we know about work is wrong. The pandemic proved it
So what can the plight of a little cafe tell you about the state of the American economy and the changing face of work? A lot, as it turns out. The other week, the bistro where my family and I have been grabbing brunch every Sunday since the start of the pandemic announced that it […]