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February 11, 2011

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October 23, 2018
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Health Care Headlines

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Health Care Headlines

March 30, 2011

Stay connected with stories about legislation, funding, programs and events that impact your hospital and the health care industry across the state.

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Travel nurses see swift change of fortunes as COVID money runs dry
Modern Healthcare

May 11, 2022

As COVID hospitalization rates stabilize, at least for now, and federal and state COVID relief funding dries up, travel nurse contracts that were plentiful and lucrative are vanishing. And after the pressure cooker of the past two-plus years led to staff turnover and a rash of early retirements, hospitals nationwide are focused on recruiting full-time nurses.

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Nearly 1 million COVID-19 deaths: A look at the U.S. numbers
Modern Healthcare

May 9, 2022

The pandemic has generated gigabytes of data that make clear which U.S. groups have been hit the hardest. More than 700,000 people 65 and older died. Men died at higher rates than women.

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Labor, Medications, And Supply Costs Plague Hospitals And Health Systems
Health Leaders

May 9, 2022

The American Hospital Association has analyzed the rising hospital and healthcare input costs and the challenges these organizations are continuing to face as their resources are strained and the industry hemorrhages workers.

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Healthcare Gains 34K Jobs In April
Health Leaders

May 9, 2022

The healthcare sector is continuing its slow upward trajectory in job growth.  The newest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report found that the sector gained 34,000 jobs during the month of April.

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Palmdale Regional Medical Center’s Allen set to retire, later this month
Antelope Valley Press

May 5, 2022

After nearly a decade at the helm of Palmdale Regional Medical Center, CEO Dick Allen is retiring, effective May 16.  He joined the hospital in the fall of 2012, not quite two years after the region’s newest facility opened, in 2010. He followed in the footsteps of Robert Trautman, who led the transition from the former Lancaster Community Hospital to PRMC.

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Not-for-profit hospitals lean on investment income to cover losses
Modern Healthcare

May 3, 2022

“Not-for-profit hospitals’ weak operating performance can be excused by strong investment returns. But when that shifts, it becomes a massive problem,” said Jordan Shields, a partner at Juniper Advisory. “When systems have weak operations, coupled with negative investment returns, they can eat through their endowments incredibly quickly.”

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Hospitals eye in-house staffing agencies to combat nursing shortage
Modern Healthcare

May 3, 2022

Travel nurses have held the upper hand for most of the pandemic, with providers willing to pay hundreds of dollars an hour for the temporary help needed to care 
for patients during the public health emergency.

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After 2 Years Of Pandemic, CA Hospitals Face Massive Financial Losses
Health Leaders

April 29, 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic may be waning, but California’s hospitals are still reeling from the economic fallout that has cost them $20 billion in the past two years and put more than half of hospitals in the red.

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Governor Newsom Convenes Growing Coalition in Support of CARE Court
Office of Governor Newsom

April 26, 2022

Governor Gavin Newsom convened the coalition in support of CARE Court, which will provide individuals with severe mental health and substance use disorders the care and services they need to get healthy. 

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HOSPITAL ROBOTS ARE HELPING COMBAT A WAVE OF NURSE BURNOUT
Health Leaders

April 19, 2022

SINCE FEBRUARY, THE nurses at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, Virginia, have had an extra assistant on their shifts: Moxi, a nearly 6-foot-tall robot that ferries medication, supplies, lab samples, and personal items through the halls, from floor to floor. After two years of battling Covid-19 and related burnout, nurses say it’s been a welcome relief.

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FDA authorizes breath test that can detect COVID-19 in three minutes
CBS

April 18, 2022

The Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency use authorization to a new COVID-19 test that can detect infections with only a sample of a patient’s breath, using a device that can yield results in less than three minutes. 

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While San Clemente Sits Far From Emergency Rooms, Officials Say New Hospital is Too Costly
Voice of OC

April 18, 2022

Since San Clemente’s one standard hospital closed in 2016, the closest emergency rooms are up to half an hour away from residents – a majority of whom surveyed last year enjoyed their quality of life in the south county coastal enclave, but not the distance from critical healthcare.

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CMS RELEASES NEW GUIDANCE ON SURPRISE BILLING, GOOD FAITH ESTIMATES
Health Leaders

April 15, 2022

CMS has published more guidance on the No Surprises Act, including new FAQs surrounding new surprise billing requirements and providing good faith estimates.

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NEW CANCER CENTER CHIEF CLINICAL OPERATING OFFICER: ‘OUR FOCUS MUST BE ON SPEED’
Health Leaders

April 7, 2022

City of Hope’s new chief clinical operating officer will lead clinical operations at the organization’s main campus in Los Angeles and throughout its network of more than three dozen care locations in southern California.

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Number of COVID patients in U.S. hospitals reaches record low
Modern Healthcare

April 6, 2022

COVID-19 hospitalization numbers have plunged to their lowest levels since the early days of the pandemic, offering a much needed break to healthcare workers and patients alike following the omicron surge.

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Providers brace for financial hits as COVID-19 uninsured fund ends
Modern Healthcare

April 6, 2022

Safety-net hospitals, federally qualified health centers and laboratories may have to cut staff and hours and limit patient access if Congress and President Joe Biden cannot come to an agreement over further COVID-19 pandemic relief.

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AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES HEALTH EQUITY INITIATIVE
Health Leaders

April 6, 2022

The American Hospital Association’s new Health Equity Roadmap provides a model for transformation and resources to make progress.

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New US Senate Bill Would Ease Student Loan Debt for Frontline Health Care Workers
KQED

April 6, 2022

Throughout the pandemic, Mously Diakhate has been treating people in need of urgent care in one of the Bay Area’s hardest-hit communities.

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California setting up statewide medical data-exchange grid
Capitol Weekly

April 6, 2022

California is developing a long-sought statewide health information exchange for providers and payers to deliver better care for patients.

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End of COVID may bring major turbulence for U.S. healthcare
Modern Healthcare

March 31, 2022

When the end of the COVID-19 pandemic comes, it could create major disruptions for a cumbersome U.S. healthcare system made more generous, flexible and up-to-date technologically through a raft of temporary emergency measures.

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FDA OKs another Pfizer, Moderna COVID booster for 50 and up
Modern Healthcare

March 31, 2022

U.S. regulators on Tuesday authorized another COVID-19 booster for people age 50 and older, a step to offer extra protection for the most vulnerable in case the coronavirus rebounds.

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Biden budget plan prioritizes mental health, public health
Modern Healthcare

March 29, 2022

The Health and Human Services Department would get a 26.8% spending boost in fiscal 2023 under a budget proposal the White House issued Monday.

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Fragmented regulations exacerbate saline shortage
Modern Healthcare

March 29, 2022

Different regulations for pharmaceuticals and medical devices are complicating the sodium chloride shortage.

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The number of cases of a more contagious subvariant of omicron has doubled in L.A. County in the last week.
LAist

March 29, 2022

Omicron’s more contagious cousin is on the rise in Los Angeles County, although so far it hasn’t led to a spike in cases.

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Nursing Workforce Development And Research Big Winners Of New Legislation
Health Leaders

March 29, 2022

Programs benefiting nurses will receive hundreds of millions of dollars with the recent passage by Congress of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022.

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Cedars-Sinai develops AI tool to better predict heart attacks
Healthcare Finance

March 29, 2022

Los Angeles-based Cedars Sinai investigators have developed an artificial intelligence technology that’s expected to make it easier to predict whether a person will have a heart attack, the system said this week.

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MODERNA SEEKS FDA AUTHORIZATION FOR SECOND COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOT FOR ALL ADULTS
CNN

March 22, 2022

Moderna announced Thursday that it’s asked the US Food and Drug Administration for authorization for a second Covid-19 booster shot for everyone 18 and older.

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AHA WANTS REQUIRED PRIOR AUTHORIZATION WAIVERS DURING PHES
Health Facts

March 22, 2022

The AHA is urging CMS to require Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to waive prior authorizations during PHEs so care can be streamlined when it is most necessary.

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Becerra: HHS will fight for more telehealth after public health emergency ends
Modern Healthcare

March 22, 2022

The Department of Health and Human Services will seek to sustain and expand access to telemedicine after the federal government declares the COVID-19 public health emergency to be over, Secretary Xavier Becerra said Friday

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Overdue: State owes community clinics millions for COVID vaccinations
CalMatters

March 22, 2022

Community clinics in California that have been waiting for more than a year to be reimbursed for COVID-19 vaccinations may soon be flooding state officials with tens of millions of dollars in bills.

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California lawmakers vote against ending Newsom emergency powers
The Center Square

March 16, 2022

A resolution that would have ended California’s two-year state of emergency and terminated Gov. Gavin Newsom’s emergency powers failed Tuesday.

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Scientists from Cedars-Sinai Discover New Potential Therapy for COVID-19
NBC

March 15, 2022

Scientists from Cedars-Sinai report research findings have opened the possibility to a new therapy for COVID-19 patients, a discovery made in a biologic substance created by reengineered human skin cells.

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USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Reaches Contract Agreement with California Nurses Association
Keck Medicine of USC

March 7, 2022

USC Verdugo Hills Hospital (USC-VHH) has ratified a new contract with the California Nurses Association, which represents the hospital’s 300 registered nurses.

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Oxnard hospital partners with historically Black medical school for residency program
Ventura County Star

March 7, 2022

An Oxnard hospital is teaming up with a historically Black medical school in developing a residency program that aims to bridge cultural and diversity gaps separating doctors and patients.

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L.A. County health plan fined $55M for health care failures
Associated Press

March 7, 2022

L.A. Care, the nation’s largest publicly operated health plan, was fined $55 million for failing to authorize care thousands of poor and at-risk members, causing health-threatening treatment delays, California regulators announced Friday.

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Healthcare employment rose across nearly all sectors in February
Health Leaders

March 7, 2022

Healthcare employers made more hires last month than during any period since September as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continued to steadily decline.

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Healthcare workforce challenges a national emergency, hospitals say
Becker’s Hospital Review

March 7, 2022

The American Hospital Association is urging Congress to address workforce challenges facing healthcare facilities, calling the issue a national emergency.  In a letter submitted to the House Energy and Commerce Committee March 1, the group said the workforce challenges “are a national emergency that demand immediate attention from all levels of government and workable solutions.” 

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People who test positive for Covid can receive antiviral pills at pharmacies for free, Biden says
CNBC

March 3, 2022

President Joe Biden on Tuesday said the Americans who test positive for Covid-19 can receive antiviral pills for free at local pharmacies and community health centers under a new program that launches this month.

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White House to unveil blueprint for the next Covid phase
Politico

March 3, 2022

The White House is planning to unveil its wide-ranging strategy for the next phase of the pandemic response on Wednesday morning, according to an internal document obtained by POLITICO.

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Hospitals plan to continue mask wearing, regardless of updated CDC guidance
Modern Healthcare

March 1, 2022

Health systems are looking forward to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new focus on hospital beds and admissions to determine a community’s COVID-19 risk level, though they are concerned about pulling back safety precautions amid an ongoing pandemic.

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CDC revises mask guidelines, says millions of Americans no longer need to wear masks indoors
CBS

March 1, 2022

Close to 3 in 10 Americans should continue wearing masks in indoor public areas, including schools, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday, but millions of others no longer need to, based on new guidance that incorporates federal COVID-19 data from hospitals. 

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Children’s Hospital LA gets $25 million from anonymous donor — and it’s all for nursing
Becker's Hospital Review

February 28, 2022

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles will use a “transformative” $25 million gift from an anonymous donor to fund initiatives that support its nursing workforce. 

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A fourth Covid-19 shot might be recommended this fall, as officials ‘continually’ look at emerging data
CNN Health

February 22, 2022

As the world approaches the second anniversary of the declaration of the Covid-19 pandemic by the World Health Organization, on March 11, more nations are rolling out – or are discussing the possibility of — fourth doses of coronavirus vaccine for their most vulnerable.

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Newsom Rolls Out ‘Next Phase’ COVID Strategy That Relies On Rapid Response
Politico

February 22, 2022

Gov. Gavin Newsom rolled out a strategy Thursday for the “next phase” of managing Covid-19 in California that focuses more intently on early detection of variants, stockpiling high-quality masks and contracting with a manufacturer of at-home rapid tests.

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As BA.2 subvariant of Omicron rises, lab studies point to signs of severity
CNN

February 22, 2022

The BA.2 virus — a subvariant of the Omicron coronavirus variant — isn’t just spreading faster than its distant cousin, it may also cause more severe disease and appears capable of thwarting some of the key weapons we have against Covid-19, new research suggests.

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CDC Wants To Give People A Break From Wearing Masks As Pandemic Improves, Director Says
Health Leaders

February 17, 2022

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reviewing its mask guidance, shifting its focus to Covid hospitalizations as a key measure of the severity of the outbreak and future guide for determining whether health safety protocols need to be tightened, according to the agency’s director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky.

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Breakthrough treatment makes woman 3rd person to be cured of HIV
ABC News

February 17, 2022

Researchers revealed on Tuesday that an American, described as a middle-aged woman of mixed race, has likely been cured of HIV after undergoing a new transplant procedure using donated umbilical cord blood.

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MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach Joins Second Phase, Two-Year Cohort of Cherished Futures for Black Moms & Babies
Yahoo! News

February 11, 2022

MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach has joined the second phase of Cherished Futures for Black Moms & Babies – a two-year cohort, with three other LA County hospitals, Communities Lifting Communities (CLC), the Public Health Alliance of Southern California (Alliance) and the Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC) — a collaborative effort to reduce Black maternal and infant health inequities in LA County.

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LA County’s indoor mask rule likely to remain through March
Associated Press

February 11, 2022

While the winter coronavirus wave in California is receding fast, it could be a while before Los Angeles County lifts its indoor mask and vaccine mandates, the county’s top health official said Thursday while urging football fans to take precautions when gathering for the Super Bowl.

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Most vulnerable still in jeopardy as COVID precautions ease
Modern Healthcare

February 11, 2022

Two years into the pandemic Jackie Hansen still left home only for doctor visits, her immune system so wrecked by cancer and lupus that COVID-19 vaccinations couldn’t take hold.

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Hospitals begin to limp out of the latest COVID-19 surge
Modern Healthcare

February 10, 2022

What we want to see is that the omicron surge continues to decrease, that we don’t see another variant of concern emerge, that we start to come out of the other side of this,” said Dr. Chris Beyrer, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

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Amazon Rolls Out Its Telehealth Service Nationwide
Health Leaders

February 10, 2022

Amazon is rolling out its telehealth service, known as Amazon Care, nationwide, the company announced Tuesday.

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California Indoor Mask Mandate To Expire On Feb. 16
LAist

February 8, 2022

California’s mask mandate will expire on Feb. 16, Governor Gavin Newsom announced via Twitter on Monday afternoon.

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COVID-19 Is Reshaping California’s Health Workforce
California Health Care Foundation

February 8, 2022

Evidence is mounting that American health care workers are quitting in large numbers. The health care sector has lost nearly half a million workers (PDF) since February 2020, and new data suggest that during the pandemic 18% of health care workers have quit and 12% have been laid off.

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Healthcare hiring ramped up in January even as omicron raged
Modern Healthcare

February 8, 2022

Healthcare employment was more resilient than expected in January as companies picked up hiring even as COVID-19 hospitalizations reached a record high.

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Strained US hospitals seek foreign nurses amid visa windfall
ABC News

February 7, 2022

With American hospitals facing a dire shortage of nurses amid a slogging pandemic, many are looking abroad for healthcare workers.

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Exclusive: Medicare expects to start paying for home COVID-19 tests this spring
CNN

February 7, 2022

Medicare will start paying for home COVID-19 tests purchased at participating pharmacies and retailers, CMS told CNN on Wednesday. It anticipates the option will be available in the early spring.

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Recruitment and retention is the top priority, hospital execs say
Modern Healthcare

February 7, 2022

UW Health recently had 3,600 nursing shifts to fill over a six-week period.  The integrated health system, like so many across country, has turned to staffing agencies to fill workforce gaps. But that created friction between its in-house staff and travel nurses, who are often being paid at least twice as much.

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Why Single Payer Died In The California Legislature, Again
LAist

February 2, 2022

Despite, or perhaps because of, an aggressive last-minute push by progressive activists ahead of a crucial deadline, legislation to create a government-run universal health care system in California died Monday without coming up for a vote.

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City Of Hope To Broaden Research And Care Nationally With Close Of Cancer Treatment Centers Deal
Forbes

February 2, 2022

City Of Hope is looking to expand its “research, innovation and specialized cancer care” to more patients nationally now that its $390 million purchase of Cancer Treatment Centers of America acquisition has closed, the health system’s chief executive says.

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Record 14.5M Americans signed up for 2022 health coverage under ACA
Health Leaders

February 2, 2022

President Biden said Thursday that a record 14.5 million Americans got private health insurance for this year under the Obama-era health law, thanks to help from his administration.

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Early data indicate vaccines still protect against Omicron’s sister variant, BA.2
STAT

February 2, 2022

New data show that vaccines still protect against a spinoff of the Omicron variant, a welcome sign as the world keeps a close eye on the latest coronavirus iteration.

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LA County Is Past The Omicron Peak, Say Health Officials
LAist

January 27, 2022

Two years since Los Angeles County’s first confirmed COVID-19 case, the latest surge — driven by the highly contagious omicron variant — seems to be receding, even as more than 26,000 new cases were reported Thursday.

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Pfizer has begun a study comparing its original COVID-19 vaccine with doses specially tweaked to match the hugely contagious omicron variant
Modern Healthcare

January 25, 2022

Pfizer has begun a study comparing its original COVID-19 vaccine with doses specially tweaked to match the hugely contagious omicron variant. Pfizer and its partner BioNTech announced the study on Tuesday.

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Free N95 Masks Arriving at Pharmacies and Stores Around the Country
NBC News

January 25, 2022

Pharmacies and health centers around the country have begun distributing the first of the 400 million N95 masks the White House is sending out to combat the fast-spreading omicron variant of the coronavirus.

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Covid News: Fauci, Cautiously, Says U.S. Wave Seems Like It’s Going in ‘Right Direction’
The New York Times

January 24, 2022

Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, sounded cautiously optimistic on Sunday that the Omicron wave was peaking nationally in the United States and that the coronavirus cases could fall to manageable levels in the coming months.

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Omicron surge is undermining care for other health problems
Modern Healthcare

January 24, 2022

The omicron surge this winter has not only swamped U.S. hospitals with record numbers of patients with COVID-19, it has also caused frightening moments and major headaches for people trying to get treatment for other ailments.

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Fauci: COVID Vaccines For Kids Under 5 Could Be Approved By Next Month
The Huff Post

January 21, 2022

In news sure to cheer the exhausted parents of toddlers everywhere, the Food and Drug Administration could approve a COVID-19 vaccine for kids under the age of 5 as soon as next month.

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Four California healthcare providers to receive millions in grants to combat staff burnout
The Los Angeles Times

January 21, 2022

As front-line healthcare workers continue to be spread thin by the pandemic and high numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations, four California healthcare organizations will receive a combined $8.7 million in federal funding to combat burnout and promote mental health among staffers in an attempt to curb attrition.

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Booster shots are instrumental in protecting against Omicron, new C.D.C. data suggest.
The New York Times

January 21, 2022

Booster shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines aren’t just preventing infections with the contagious Omicron variant — they’re also keeping infected Americans from ending up in the hospital, according to data published on Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Biden to give away 400 million N95 masks starting next week
Modern Healthcare

January 21, 2022

The Biden administration will begin making 400 million N95 masks available for free to Americans starting next week, now that federal officials are emphasizing their better protection against the omicron variant of COVID-19 over cloth face coverings.

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OMICRON MIGHT MARK THE END OF COVID-19′S PANDEMIC PHASE — UNLESS A CERTAIN SCENARIO HAPPENS, FAUCI SAYS
Health Leaders

January 18, 2022

It’s still too early to predict whether Omicron’s rapid spread will help push coronavirus from the pandemic phase to a more manageable endemic phase — but “I would hope that that’s the case,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said Monday.

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Get Free At-⁠home COVID-⁠19 Tests
COVIDTests.gov

January 18, 2022

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order #44 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.

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Supreme Court allows healthcare worker vaccine mandate to continue
Modern Healthcare

January 14, 2022

The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the federal government’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers can continue while appeals are pending at lower courts.

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UCLA Researchers Come Closer to Finding Possible Cure for HIV
The Hill

January 14, 2022

Researchers at UCLA have inched closer to finding a cure for human immunodeficiency virus by targeting infected cells that could be lying dormant in the body.

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Biden to double free COVID tests, add masks to fight omicron
Associated Press

January 14, 2022

President Joe Biden announced Thursday that the government will double to 1 billion the rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests to be distributed free to Americans, along with “high-quality masks,” as he highlighted his efforts to “surge” resources to help the country weather the spike in coronavirus cases.

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California hospitals predict COVID crisis will last 4-6 weeks
CalMatters

January 14, 2022

California’s hospital system is in danger of collapse as skyrocketing COVID-19 cases, severely ill patients and sick staff push hospitals past their capabilities, the California Hospital Association warned today.

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The Red Cross says there’s a blood shortage nationwide. Here’s how you can help
NPR

January 14, 2022

The American Red Cross says the nation is facing its worst blood shortage in more than a decade, citing a drop in blood drives due to the pandemic.

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Omicron may be headed for a rapid drop in Britain, US
Associated Press

January 14, 2022

Scientists are seeing signals that COVID-19′s alarming omicron wave may have peaked in Britain and is about to do the same in the U.S., at which point cases may start dropping off dramatically.

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OC’s Covid Surge Impacting Staffing at Hospitals; Outbreaks Hit Public Agencies
Voice of OC

January 11, 2022

“While hospitalizations have not reached levels experienced last winter, this comes as the health care delivery system faces some new challenges,” said Adam Blackstone, vice president of the Hospital Association of Southern California, which represents OC hospitals.

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Insurers must begin covering at-home COVID-19 tests by Jan. 15
Modern Healthcare

January 11, 2022

Health insurance companies must reimburse policyholders for up to eight at-home COVID-19 tests per person each month under federal guidance published Monday.

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How And Where To Get Free COVID And Flu Test Kits In LA County
LAist

January 11, 2022

L.A. County is launching a new test collection program aimed at expanding access for people unable to make appointments.  It’s called the Pick Up Testing Kit program and it works just how you’d expect. County residents can pick up PCR test kits and return completed tests at one of 13 designated locations across the county.

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Red Cross declares first-ever national blood crisis
CBS News

January 11, 2022

The nation’s blood supply is dangerously low, prompting the Red Cross to announce a national blood crisis for the first time. 

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Pfizer says its vaccine targeting Omicron will be ready in March
CBS News

January 11, 2022

Pfizer will have a COVID-19 vaccine that specifically targets the Omicron variant ready by March, the pharmaceutical company’s chief executive said Monday. 

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HEALTHCARE GAINS 143K JOBS IN 2021
Health Leaders

January 10, 2022

The healthcare sector once again showed little change in employment numbers in December, according to the newest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) employment report, issued Friday morning.

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Single-payer health care is back on the table at the California Capitol
Capradio

January 10, 2022

This week, California lawmakers will take up the latest attempt to get all state residents covered under the same health plan — an idea referred to as single payer health care — that’s been sparking debate at the Capitol for the past five years.

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Governor Newsom Announces New $2.7 Billion COVID-19 Emergency Response Package
Office of Governor Newson

January 10, 2022

Today, Governor Newsom’s Administration unveiled a proposed $2.7 billion COVID-19 Emergency Response Package – including a $1.4 billion emergency appropriation request – to bolster testing capacity, accelerate vaccination and booster efforts, support frontline workers, strengthen the health care system and battle misinformation. The Governor’s budget also calls for new legislation to implement supplemental paid sick leave policies given the current situation being driven by the Omicron variant to better protect our frontline workers.

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Hospitals Are in Serious Trouble
The Atlantic

January 10, 2022

When a health-care system crumbles, this is what it looks like. Much of what’s wrong happens invisibly. At first, there’s just a lot of waiting. Emergency rooms get so full that “you’ll wait hours and hours, and you may not be able to get surgery when you need it,” Megan Ranney, an emergency physician in Rhode Island, told me.

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California Ballot Will Be Heavy on Health Care
California Healthline

January 7, 2022

When Californians go to the polls later this year, they will confront contentious health care choices.

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CENTENE BECOMES A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH GIANT
Health Leaders

January 7, 2022

Centene Corp. has completed its $2.2 billion acquisition of Magellan Health — and changed who it is.  The Clayton, Missouri-based company had been focusing mainly on managing Medicaid plans for low-income people.

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COVID Hospitalizations: See How Each California County Is Doing
KQED

January 7, 2022

COVID-19 cases in California are exploding — much like they are throughout the rest of the country and world — thanks largely to the incredibly contagious omicron variant, which in little more than a month has invaded our lives, easily claiming its title as the dominant strain of this infernal virus.

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White House, USPS finalizing plans to begin shipping coronavirus test kits to U.S. households
The Washington Post

January 7, 2022

The White House is finalizing details with the U.S. Postal Service to deliver 500 million coronavirus test kits to households across the country, according to four people familiar with the plans, kick-starting a key part of President Biden’s response to the raging omicron variant.

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Where Can I Get a Moderna, Johnson & Johnson or Pfizer COVID Booster Shot Near Me?
KQED

January 7, 2022

Moderna booster shots, Pfizer booster shots and Johnson & Johnson booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine are now available, following a thorough in-depth review process from the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Things Seem Grim Now. But America’s COVID Situation Could Get Better In 6-8 Weeks
LAist

January 6, 2022

Things might seem pretty grim on the pandemic front right now. The U.S. is only a few days into the third calendar year of the pandemic and nearly 500,000 new COVID-19 cases are being counted daily.

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Fauci warns against complacency as Omicron strains U.S. hospitals
Reuters

January 6, 2022

Top U.S. infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci warned on Wednesday against complacency about the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, saying the sheer number of cases could strain hospitals despite signs of lower severity.

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Los Angeles fire trucks are transporting patients now as COVID surge hits firefighters, ambulance companies
East Bay Times

January 6, 2022

Los Angeles County firefighters are transporting patients to hospitals in their trucks rather than ambulances, an unprecedented move required because of surging coronavirus cases within the county Fire Department and among paramedic companies.

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What is ‘flurona’? Coronavirus and influenza co-infections reported as omicron surges
The Washington Post

January 6, 2022

New year, new coronavirus term?  Many people around the world kicked off 2022 by searching for more information about “flurona,” after Israel reported that two young pregnant women had tested positive for both the coronavirus and the flu.

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CDC posts rationale for shorter isolation, quarantine
Associated Press

January 5, 2022

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday explained the scientific rationale for shortening its COVID-19 isolation and quarantine recommendations, and clarified that the guidance applies to kids as well as adults.

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CDC Panel Pushes Boosters for All Teens
MedPage Today

January 5, 2022

Adolescents ages 12-17 should receive a booster dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine (Comirnaty), the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) said on Wednesday.

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US hospitals seeing different kind of COVID surge this time
ABC News

January 5, 2022

Hospitals across the U.S. are feeling the wrath of the omicron variant and getting thrown into disarray that is different from earlier COVID-19 surges.This time, they are dealing with serious staff shortages because so many health care workers are getting sick with the fast-spreading variant.

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California extends indoor mask mandate as Omicron surges
Los Angeles Times

January 5, 2022

California will extend its mask mandate for indoor public spaces for another month as an unprecedented wave of coronavirus infections spawned by the highly transmissible Omicron variant continues to wash over the state.

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Many surprise medical bills are now illegal
Axios

January 3, 2022

Effective today, federal law bans many types of out-of-network medical bills and puts the onus on doctors and health insurance companies to resolve their payment disputes.

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FDA Lowers Age Range for Pfizer Booster Shot
MedPage Today

January 3, 2022

Adolescents ages 12-15 can now get a booster dose of Pfizer/BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine (Comirnaty) under emergency use authorization (EUA), the FDA said on Monday.

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COVID-19 Hospitalization Surge Among US Children Spurs New Omicron Concerns
Medscape

January 3, 2022

Within weeks, the Omicron variant has fueled thousands of new COVID-19 hospitalizations among U.S. children, raising new concerns about how the many unvaccinated Americans under the age of 18 will fare in the new surge.

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California more prepared for latest surge of new COVID cases as most are vaccinated or have already been infected, experts say
California News Times

December 31, 2021

California is ready for a surge in new coronavirus infections as a much more contagious version of the disease spreads to holiday parties and family gatherings forced indoors by a series of winter storms.

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Flu is making a comeback in US after an unusual year off
Modern Healthcare

December 30, 2021

The U.S. flu season has arrived on schedule after taking a year off, with flu hospitalizations rising and two child deaths reported.

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New COVID-19 cases in US soar to highest levels on record
Modern Healthcare

December 30, 2021

More than a year after the vaccine was rolled out, new cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. have soared to their highest level on record at over 265,000 per day on average, a surge driven largely by the highly contagious omicron variant.

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Plenty Of Vaccines, But Few Nurses: How This COVID Surge Compares To Last Winter
LAist

December 30, 2021

As the West Coast monitors the skyrocketing COVID-19 cases concentrated in the eastern half of the country, hospital administrators in Los Angeles are watching local case numbers creep higher.

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Rising Costs, Dwindling Revenues, Inflation Among Top Healthcare Challenges for 2022
Health Leaders

December 27, 2021

The pandemic and growing staffing crisis are impacting a number of key financial areas in healthcare, possibly forcing a reevaluation of the care that hospitals can provide.

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US sets shorter COVID-19 isolation rules for healthcare workers
Modern Healthcare

December 27, 2021

Worried that a new COVID-19 wave could overwhelm understaffed U.S. hospitals, federal officials on Thursday loosened rules that call on healthcare workers to stay out of work for 10 days if they test positive.

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Blood supplies are dangerously low — consider making a donation now
UC Health

December 22, 2021

The American Red Cross, which provides about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply, is experiencing its worst blood shortage in over a decade and has warned that some hospitals may have to delay surgeries and other medical procedures if the situation worsens.

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FDA: The Wait for COVID Pills Is Over
MedPage Today

December 22, 2021

Oral antiviral treatment for COVID-19 is now on the table following FDA’s emergency use authorization (EUA) for nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid), the agency announced on Wednesday.

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HHS launches digital health accelerator to tackle COVID-19 disparities
Modern Healthcare

December 22, 2021

More than a dozen digital health startups will get federal support to tackle COVID-19 disparities, the Health and Human Services Department announced Tuesday.

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Biden’s new COVID-19 plans include hospital staffing support, PPE
Modern Healthcare

December 22, 2021

Hospitals will get staff reinforcements, Federal Emergency Management Agency aid and additional personal protective equipment to help fight the latest COVID-19 wave under an expanded pandemic response strategy the White House unveiled Tuesday.

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FDA Approves First Long-Acting Injectable to Prevent HIV Infection
MedPage Today

December 22, 2021

The first long-acting injectable for HIV prevention has now been approved for use, the FDA announced on Monday.

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What is Long COVID? Experts Explain Symptoms and Answer Common Questions
KQED

December 22, 2021

Angela Meriquez Vázquez initially experienced mild cold symptoms when she was diagnosed with COVID in March 2020. This acute phase lasted three months until Vázquez began to develop increasingly worrying symptoms which included blood clots, mini strokes, seizures, and newly developed food allergies.

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Newsom Announces Statewide Booster Requirements For Healthcare Workers; LA County’s New COVID Cases Stay High
LAist

December 22, 2021

Healthcare workers in California will be required to get a booster shot against COVID-19, Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted Tuesday afternoon.  “With Omicron on the rise, we’re taking immediate actions to protect Californians and ensure our hospitals are prepared,” he said.

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California more prepared for latest surge of new COVID cases, experts say
KTLA

December 21, 2021

California is poised for a surge in new coronavirus infections as a far more contagious version of the disease spreads among holiday parties and family gatherings forced indoors by a series of winter storms.  But experts say the nation’s most populous state is likely to avoid the worst scenario — spikes in hospitalizations and deaths — because most Californians have either been vaccinated or already been infected. 

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Looking Ahead: The Nursing Shortage Isn’t Going Anywhere
Health Leaders

December 20, 2021

There’s no reprieve in sight next year for the ongoing nursing shortage that has been exacerbated by COVID-19, experts say.  A shortage of nurses will be intensified as employees leave because of burnout, retirement, contract labor opportunities, taking care of family, or refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a recent report by report released by Moody’s Investors Service.

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Fauci says omicron variant is `just raging around the world’
Associated Press

December 20, 2021

The COVID-19 omicron variant is “just raging around the world,” the White House’s top medical adviser said Sunday as President Joe Biden prepares to issue “a stark warning of what the winter will look like” for unvaccinated Americans.

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More docs consider retirement amid COVID-19 pandemic
Modern Healthcare

December 20, 2021

Physician pay increased as the labor market tightened, although the pay bump isn’t expected to slow the wave of doctors retiring or leaving the field, according survey results published Thursday.

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With More Than 3K New COVID Cases Friday, Hospital Staffing Now An Acute Concern
LAist

December 20, 2021

L.A. County is reporting more than 3,000 new COVID cases on Friday, the highest daily total in months. And we’re seeing more cases of the new omicron variant. At least 38 have been confirmed.

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VIRTUAL REALITY TRANSPORTS FRONTLINE NURSES FROM THE COVID FLOOR TO PARADISE
Health Facts

December 20, 2021

A California hospital with a national reputation in virtual reality (VR) for pain, patient stress management, patient education, and maternal care has deployed that same technology to help its frontline nurses combat stress, anxiety, and burnout.

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Fauci Pushes For Universal Coronavirus Vaccine
NBC

December 16, 2021

The scientific quest for a universal coronavirus vaccine received a boost Wednesday, as three top federal researchers, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, outlined a path to develop new vaccines that could tackle a variety of ailments including Covid-19, some common colds and future viruses.

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Pfizer’s Covid-19 pill cut risk of hospitalization and death by 89 percent, final results show
Politico

December 16, 2021

Pfizer’s antiviral Covid-19 pill reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 89 percent in high-risk patients who’d been experiencing symptoms for three days or less, according to final results from a trial of 2,246 adults the company released Tuesday.

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Moderna and Pfizer Boosters Are Likely to Offer Substantial Protection from Omicron, Fauci Says
New York Times

December 16, 2021

Booster doses of both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccines are likely to offer a substantial increase in protection against the new and highly transmissible Omicron variant, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci said Wednesday, adding that “at this point, there is no need for a very specific booster” designed especially to fight Omicron.

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Mayo, Others Post Pleas to Take COVID Seriously: ‘We’re Overwhelmed’
Medscape

December 16, 2021

“We are overwhelmed,” said a tweet from Mayo Clinic’s Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine team. The plea was signed by CEOs from nine other hospital systems in Minnesota as well.

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White House Aims To Improve Government’s Healthcare ‘Customer Service’
Medpage Today

December 14, 2021

The Biden administration announced several actions Monday to improve “customer service” from the federal government, including initiatives affecting the provision of telehealth, maternity care for Medicaid beneficiaries, and healthcare services at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Omicron is spreading fast. That’s alarming even if it’s mild
CNN

December 14, 2021

The Omicron variant of coronavirus is spreading quickly in several countries where it has been discovered. Even if it causes only mild disease — and that’s far from certain — that could still mean many people end up in the hospital and dying.

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COVID Omicron Variant Is ‘Highly Transmissible’: South Africa Study
USA Today

December 14, 2021

The new omicron variant is substantially more contagious and reduces the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, but people who are fully vaccinated are still largely protected against severe disease, according to a study from South Africa released Tuesday.

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California Mandates Masks Again
CalMatters

December 14, 2021

Starting Wednesday, Californians will once again be required to wear masks indoors in public places regardless of vaccination status, state health officials announced today. 

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CDC: Boosters Key in Protecting Against Omicron
Medscape News

December 14, 2021

Most of the 43 cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant found in the United States were mild and occurred among vaccinated people, but boosters are effective against it, according to a report the CDC released Friday.

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Hospital safety practices that will outlive the pandemic
Modern Healthcare

December 14, 2021

The novel coronavirus forced hospitals to quicken the pace when it comes to safety improvement, which was a departure from what’s normally a glacial pace. As the virus continues to mutate, hospital administrators now see that some of the changes they implemented to react quickly back in 2020 should stay in place.

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Key lawmakers seek to make telehealth flexibilities permanent
Modern Healthcare

December 10, 2021

A powerful House chairman introduced a bill Thursday that would permanently remove restrictions on where Medicare patients can access telehealth services but would make other telehealth coverage policies only temporary.

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Research Shows Huge Benefit Of COVID-19 Booster Shots
Los Angeles Times

December 10, 2021

In research likely to galvanize U.S. support for booster shots, scientists found that Israel’s aggressive campaign to shore up waning coronavirus immunity with a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine has saved lives and reduced new infections across the age spectrum.

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LA County Moved Back Up To ‘High’ COVID Transmission
LAist

December 10, 2021

Los Angeles County health officials are warning of the beginnings of a winter surge as new coronavirus cases totaled 1,715 on Thursday. Three weeks ago, before Thanksgiving, the county was reporting around 1,000 cases a day.

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AHA, AMA Sue Federal Government Over Surprise Billing Law
Medscape Daily News

December 10, 2021

Hospital and physician groups on Thursday announced their plan to sue the federal government over its plan for addressing disputes about surprise medical bills, which tilts toward using prevailing rates paid for services.

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City of Hope buying Cancer Treatment Centers for $390 million
San Bernardino Sun

December 9, 2021

City of Hope, the cancer treatment and research center in Duarte, has reached a deal to acquire Cancer Treatment Centers of America for $390 million.

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New COVID-19 antibody drug OK’d to protect most vulnerable
Associated Press

December 9, 2021

Federal health officials on Wednesday authorized a new COVID-19 antibody drug for people with serious health problems or allergies who can’t get adequate protection from vaccination.

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COVID cases spike even as US hits 200M vaccine milestone
Associated Press

December 9, 2021

The number of Americans fully vaccinated against COVID-19 reached 200 million Wednesday amid a dispiriting holiday-season spike in cases and hospitalizations that has hit even New England, one of the most highly inoculated corners of the country.

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CDC Chief Says Omicron Mostly Mild So Far
Associated Press

December 9, 2021

More than 40 people in the U.S. have been found to be infected with the omicron variant so far, and more than three-quarters of them had been vaccinated, the chief of the CDC said Wednesday. But she said nearly all of them were only mildly ill.

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Looming Medicare cuts are unsustainable and threaten access to care
California Medical Association

December 8, 2021

The California Medical Association (CMA) and the California Hospital Association (CHA) today sent a joint letter to the California Congressional Delegation, urging immediate action to eliminate or delay the Medicare payment cuts that are scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2022.

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Biden touts savings on insulin and other drugs for Americans
Associated Press

December 7, 2021

President Joe Biden pledged Monday that his social agenda legislation would deliver tangible savings on prescription drugs for all Americans. Relief that consumers have clamored for is now in sight, he asserted.

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South African Hospital Report Hints at Milder Disease With Omicron
Health Leaders

December 7, 2021

A report from a large hospital complex in Tshwane, the epicenter of the Omicron outbreak in South Africa, suggests the variant may cause less severe disease, but warns that it’s too soon to draw conclusions.

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Omicron v. delta: Battle of coronavirus mutants is critical
Modern Healthcare

December 7, 2021

As the omicron coronavirus variant spreads in southern Africa and pops up in countries all around the world, scientists are anxiously watching a battle play out that could determine the future of the pandemic. Can the latest competitor to the world-dominating delta overthrow it?

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Contact tracing revs up in some states as omicron reaches U.S.
Modern Healthcare

December 6, 2021

The arrival of the omicron variant of the coronavirus in the U.S. has health officials in some communities reviving contact tracing operations in an attempt to slow and better understand its spread as scientists study how contagious it is and whether it can thwart vaccines.

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U.S. drugstores squeezed by vaccine demand, staff shortages
Modern Healthcare

December 6, 2021

A rush of vaccine-seeking customers and staff shortages are squeezing drugstores around the U.S., leading to frazzled workers and temporary pharmacy closures.

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More omicron detected as hospitals strain under delta surge
Modern Healthcare

December 6, 2021

New York announced three more cases of the omicron variant of the coronavirus Saturday, bringing the number of state cases linked to the new variant to eight.

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Covid cases on the rise again, but it’s still delta, not omicron, driving the surge
CNBC

December 6, 2021

Even as more and more states report their first cases of the omicron variant, it’s still the super contagious delta variant that’s driving nearly all new Covid-19 cases in the United States.

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Fauci: ‘Every Reason To Believe’ Boosters Protect Against Omicron
MedPage Today

December 6, 2021

Vaccination with a booster dose of COVID vaccine is expected to offer “some degree of cross protection” against the Omicron variant, said NIAID Director Anthony Fauci, MD, during a White House COVID-19 Response Team briefing on Friday.

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CDC looks for more Omicron cases after variant is detected in California
Politico

December 3, 2021

The new Omicron Covid-19 variant has been detected in California, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Biden’s new Covid plan: more boosters, free home testing, and ‘monoclonal antibody strike teams’
STAT

December 3, 2021

President Biden will announce a new plan Thursday afternoon for combating the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. The plan includes a new campaign to increase uptake of booster shots, new policies meant to provide Americans with free at-home coronavirus tests, and more stringent policies on international travel.

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Liquid biopsies could help screen for countless cancers. But who should get them?
STAT

December 3, 2021

By the time cancer is discovered, it’s often too late to change its course. Close to half of cancers will already have spread, making death — whether within months, five years, or 10 years —  a near certainty.

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FDA Panel Endorses COVID-19 Pill
Health Leaders

December 3, 2021

A panel of experts gathered by the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday narrowly endorsed drugmaker Merck’s COVID-19 antiviral pill, moving the drug a step closer to becoming the first pill authorized by the agency to treat the coronavirus.

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THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE IS RIGHT HERE AT HOME
Health Leaders

December 3, 2021

‘There’s no place like home’—more older patients are eager to avoid hospitalization.

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Supreme Court questions HHS interpretation of DSH formula
Modern Healthcare

November 30, 2021

Supreme Court justices on Monday were skeptical that the Health and Human Services Department fairly interpreted Medicare law when it changed the formula for disproportionate share hospital calculations.

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Three Trends Expected To Accelerate For Healthcare Providers In 2022
Forbes

November 30, 2021

What can the healthcare industry learn from the e-commerce industry? As healthcare providers are aiming to provide patients with smoother experiences when they engage online, many are taking their cues from the simple and frictionless consumer journeys of the e-commerce industry. 

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California braces for omicron COVID variant
CalMatters

November 30, 2021

After the reprieve of a long Thanksgiving weekend, today will likely serve as an unwelcome reminder for Californians that the pandemic is far from over.

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New antiviral drugs are coming for COVID. Here’s what you need to know
NPR

November 30, 2021

An FDA advisory committee is meeting Tuesday to consider whether to recommend a new antiviral pill for the COVID-19 treatment toolkit.

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Harris Announces $1.5B Investment In Health Care Workforce
Health Leaders

November 30, 2021

Vice President Kamala Harris announced Monday that the Biden administration is investing $1.5 billion from the coronavirus aid package to address the health care worker shortage in underserved communities.

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Supreme Court to hear 340B case that could impact all hospitals
Modern Healthcare

November 30, 2021

The Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case seeking to reverse cuts to the 340B Drug Program next week, and the outcome could have consequences for all providers, even those who don’t access the discounted medicines.

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Biden Told It Will Take Two Weeks To Have Definitive Data On Omicron Variant
Health Leaders

November 30, 2021

The top U.S. infectious disease official, Dr. Anthony Fauci, told President Joe Biden on Sunday it will take about two weeks to have definitive information on the new coronavirus variant Omicron that has sparked new travel restrictions and shaken financial markets.

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Detecting cancer with a simple blood draw could soon be a reality
ABC News

November 30, 2021

Galleri, a new blood test by health care company GRAIL, is one of the most advanced blood biopsy tests. It works by looking for fragments of DNA in a person’s blood that indicate the presence of more than 50 types of cancer.

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Pfizer COVID Vaccine Is 100% Effective in Adolescents: Study
MedScape

November 30, 2021

Pfizer announced on Monday that its COVID-19 vaccine provided long-term protection against the virus in a late-stage clinical trial among adolescents ages 12-15.

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Supply chain woes trigger shortages of critical medical devicesn
California Health Times

November 23, 2021

The logjam at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach — which handle 40% of all waterbound imports to the U.S. — has triggered shortages of everything from computer chips to paper products to kitchen appliances, and drawn the attention of President Joe Biden. But, while many people are worrying about delayed Christmas gifts, many Californians are grappling with shortages of lifesaving medical supplies. 

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Are Nurse Staffing Agencies Overcharging Hospitals?
MedPage Today

November 23, 2021

A group of U.S. senators and representatives penned a letter to the COVID-19 Response Team and other agencies on Wednesday, urging them to investigate allegations of overpricing by nurse staffing agencies relied on to fill gaps in hospital staffing during the pandemic.

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FDA OKs COVID-19 Booster Shots for All Adults
MedPage Today

November 23, 2021

The FDA expanded the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines to include booster shots for all adults, the agency said on Friday.

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70% of hospital workers vaccinated, new CDC data show
Modern Healthcare

November 23, 2021

Seven out of 10 U.S. hospital workers were vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Sept. 15, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study issued Wednesday.

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Americans can wait many weeks to see a therapist. California law aims to fix that.
NPR

November 23, 2021

When Greta Christina fell into a deep depression five years ago, she called up her therapist in San Francisco — someone she’d had a great connection with when she needed therapy in the past. And she was delighted to find out that he was now “in network” with her insurance company, meaning she wouldn’t have to pay out of pocket anymore to see him.

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A win for Black maternal health advocates, as Congress moves to set up new VA program
STAT

November 23, 2021

Congress’ action this week is a victory for Black maternal health advocates like Charles Johnson, who’s been pushing for more support for Black mothers after his wife died from childbirth complications.

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What college campus outbreaks indicate about this year’s flu season
NBC

November 23, 2021

Flu outbreaks on college campuses most likely indicate a bad flu season ahead, but experts say the unpredictable nature of the flu virus means it’s too soon to know for sure how this season will unfold. 

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COVID-19 FEARS AND FRUSTRATION ADD TO RECRUITING CHALLENGES FOR HOSPITALS
Health Leaders

November 17, 2021

Most healthcare organizations were already experiencing a supply-and-demand gap for top talent before the pandemic. Now things are getting desperate.

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Pfizer asks U.S. officials to OK promising COVID-19 pill
Modern Healthcare

November 17, 2021

Pfizer asked U.S. regulators Tuesday to authorize its experimental pill for COVID-19, setting the stage for a likely launch this winter of a promising treatment that can be taken at home.

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KAISER PERMANENTE AVERTS STRIKE WITH TENTATIVE AGREEMENT
Health Leaders

November 15, 2021

Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers are on the job today after the company averted what could have been a crippling strike.

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The best way to use rapid COVID tests — if you can find them
Axios

November 15, 2021

Rapid at-home COVID-19 tests that can automatically verify and report positive cases could be especially useful in the next phase of the pandemic.

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COVID-19 Fears and Frustration Add to Recruiting Challenges for Hospitals
Health Leaders

November 15, 2021

Most healthcare organizations were already experiencing a supply-and-demand gap for top talent before the pandemic. Now things are getting desperate.

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Your Out-of-Pocket Health Care Costs Need Not Be a Mystery
California Healthline

November 15, 2021

If you’ve ever had a serious illness or cared for someone who has, you know how quickly the medical bills can pile up: from labs, radiology clinics, pharmacies, doctors, different departments within the same hospital — some of them in your insurance network, others not.

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White House: COVID-19 vaccine requirements are working
Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy

November 11, 2021

Today, White House COVID-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients said vaccine requirements are working, as the nation is averaging 300,000 first shots per day, the highest rate since early this summer. This week, 9 million vaccines were administered in the United States.

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California prepares for possible winter pandemic surge
Associated Press

November 11, 2021

California has begun positioning equipment and locking in contracts with temporary health care workers in preparation for another possible winter surge of coronavirus cases, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday.

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‘Build Back Better’ Isn’t the Only Infrastructure Bill With Healthcare Provisions
MedPage Today

November 11, 2021

What are the healthcare provisions in the two infrastructure bills making their way around Capitol Hill? If you think it’s just about hearing coverage in Medicare and negotiating drug prices, think again.

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U.S. to buy $1 billion worth of Merck’s antiviral COVID pill
Axios

November 11, 2021

The Biden administration will buy 1.4 million additional courses of a pill developed by Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics to prevent or treat COVID-19, a purchase worth around $1 billion, the companies announced Tuesday.

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SENATORS SEEK TO PERMANENTLY EXPAND TELEHEALTH ELIGIBILITY
The Hill

November 11, 2021

A bipartisan group of senators aim to permanently expand telehealth reimbursement eligibility for additional providers like physical therapists in a bill proposed on Thursday.

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CMS Expands Coverage For Telehealth In Mental Health Care
Health Leaders

November 10, 2021

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is expanding coverage for the use of telehealth technology in underserved areas and for the delivery of mental health services.

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What Dr. Fauci sees coming for the pandemic this winter
NPR

November 10, 2021

The United States has seen a decline in cases and hospitalizations since the summer’s delta surge — but the decline is declining.

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Pfizer is expected to ask the F.D.A. to expand authorization of its Covid booster to all adults, a request the agency is likely to grant
The New York Times

November 10, 2021

The federal government has been intent on broadening the categories of people eligible for additional injections since the first booster shots were authorized for emergency use in late September.

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COVID Antibody Drugs Could Protect People with Weak Immune Systems
NBC

November 8, 2021

Even as the Covid delta wave ebbs in the U.S., millions of people with compromised immune systems remain trapped in an anxious and sequestered limbo. A considerable portion of this population, research indicates, remains highly vulnerable to the coronavirus even after three or four vaccine shots.

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Healthcare Employment Tops 16 Million, The Most Since Early 2020
Modern Healthcare

November 8, 2021

Healthcare employment rebounded somewhat in October after a dip in September.  The healthcare industry added an estimated 37,200 jobs in October after a slight decline in September, when the industry shed 1,000 jobs—a revised count that shows a much smaller decrease than the government’s previous report. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published its latest preliminary jobs data on Friday.

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When will Americans be able to get a COVID-19 antiviral pill?
CBS

November 8, 2021

As the U.S. braces for a potential new wave of the virus this winter, there are promising signs that the first pill to treat COVID-19 in some at-risk Americans could be available by the end of the year. 

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The Pressing Need for Public Health Investment
California Health Care Foundation

November 8, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the need for substantial investment in public health. Journalist Anna Maria Barry-Jester, in an investigation published in California Healthline and the Los Angeles Times last week, reported that the need is pressing and that the time is ripe to formulate solutions.

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Advice for cold, flu and COVID-19: Wear a mask and wash your hands
NPR

November 8, 2021

Flus and colds could be more prevalent this year because they didn’t spread as much last year due to pandemic restrictions. We answer questions about the flu vaccine and how to stay protected.

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CMS requires COVID vaccines for healthcare staff by Jan. 4
Modern Healthcare

November 4, 2021

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will require COVID-19 vaccines for all employees at Medicare and Medicaid-participating healthcare facilities by Jan. 4, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will require all employees at businesses with 100 or more workers to be vaccinated by the same date or get tested for the virus weekly, the agencies announced Thursday morning.

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Panel: All US adults under 60 should get hepatitis B shots
Associated Press

November 4, 2021

A government advisory committee on Wednesday recommended that all U.S. adults younger than 60 be vaccinated against hepatitis B, because progress against the liver-damaging disease has stalled.

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