Iowa news
Opinion: five-year anniversary of privatized Medicaid is bad news for Iowa taxpayers
Who is ready to celebrate the five-year anniversary of Iowa’s privatized Medicaid? Not Iowa taxpayers. For the past five years, we’ve put up with a complete mess that cost taxpayers millions of dollars, stripped health care away from Iowans and ripped off health care providers. (Des Moines Register)
Opinion: Through pandemic, derecho, Iowa City VA staff proud to serve veterans of eastern Iowa
As a premier, nationally integrated health care system, the Iowa City VA is the provider of choice for many veterans in eastern Iowa and western Illinois. We have maintained the confidence of the veterans in our care by continuing to serve them where they are throughout the COVID-19 response and beyond. It’s a distinction we work hard to maintain through innovation, technology and with top providers and staff who deliver the very best care with wait times far shorter than what non-veterans see in the private sector. (Iowa City Press-Citizen)
All adults are eligible for a vaccine in Iowa. Here’s what you should know.
Expanded eligibility starts today in Iowa, with everyone over the age of 16 eligible for a vaccine. Supplies are increasing, but they won’t yet meet demand. Gov. Kim Reynolds expects the state to receive 161,000 doses of vaccines. That should put the state past the 1 million mark for residents who have received at least one dose of a vaccine. Have questions about the vaccine or how to find an appointment? We’ve assembled a handy guide. (Des Moines Register)
National news
What you should know about the CDC’s five COVID-19 variants of concern
Many experts believe variants are largely driving the recent upticks in COVID-19 cases nationwide, with the B.1.1.7 variant, first identified in the UK, now accounting for about 26% of all US infections, according to recent CDC estimates. The variant, which is 50%-70% more transmissible, is the predominant strain in at least five regions of the country. States such as Florida, Texas and Michigan are reporting especially troublesome trends and are experiencing some of the highest variant caseloads. (Becker’s Hospital Review)
What will the summer be like? Nine infectious disease experts share their plans
The COVID-19 vaccine rollout has given us hope for a somewhat normal summer this year, and infectious disease experts are just as excited to enjoy the warm weather as the rest of the country. TODAY Health interviewed nine experts, many of whom have been working on the coronavirus pandemic for the past year, about what they’re hoping to do this summer. (NBC News)
Nearly one-fifth of Americans forgoing care because of costs
Health care costs are the reason millions of Americans go without new clothing, over-the-counter drugs, leisure activities and sometimes the care altogether, according to a study released by Gallup and West Health, a nonprofit focused on lowering health care costs for older people. The study surveyed 3,753 Americans ages 18 and older. (Becker’s Hospital Review)