Iowa news
Hy-Vee launches agency to sell Medicare insurance plans
Hy-Vee has announced that the Hy-Vee Medicare Aisle agency now serves Medicare beneficiaries across its eight-state Midwestern market. Customers can choose from coverage plans such as Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D and Medicare Supplement Plans, offered through national and regional health insurers. (Supermarket News)
Iowa State researchers discover why COVID-19 is difficult to treat
Most traditional antiviral treatments don’t work on COVID-19. Iowa State researchers found COVID-19 has an enzyme that renders most antiviral medicines ineffective. Those researchers now said their goal is to find a way to inhibit that enzyme protection. That would allow antivirals to kill COVID-19. The most-recent research was published in the journal Nature. (KCCI)
Demand up for hospitals with visits previously delayed by COVID-19
Iowa hospitals and their employees face a number of challenges as they take care of an increasing number of patients with COVID-19. Dr. Toyosi Olutad, chief medical officer for UnityPoint Health Trinity, says people put off routine health care last year, and now the system is struggling to deal with pent-up demand. Even large health care organizations in the region are shuffling patients and beds in an attempt to meet demand. (Radio Iowa)
National news
Avera Health announces acquisition of Avera eCare by Aquiline Capital Partners
Avera Health announced the acquisition of its telemedicine services, Avera eCare, by Aquiline Capital Partners, a private investment firm based in New York and London with $6.4 billion in assets under management. As part of the acquisition, Aquiline will execute the carve out of Avera eCare and rename the company Avel eCare. Closing is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2021. (Avera.org)
COVID-19 third wave: Florida surpasses all-time record for hospital admissions
US health officials say 11,515 Florida residents are hospitalized. Many are younger and healthier than patients seen earlier in the pandemic. On Saturday, Florida set a record for most new infections in a single day. Gov. Ron DeSantis opposes efforts to make vaccines or masks mandatory. Nationwide, one in three new cases last week were recorded in Florida or Texas. (BBC)
Heal first, then vaccinate: How nine systems are connecting COVID-19 survivors with the vaccine
Anecdotal reports from physicians on the front lines of the latest COVID-19 surge suggest disbelief, shame and fear are common emotions among many unvaccinated patients who contract the virus and need to be hospitalized. Here, nine physician leaders share how they approach conversations with hospitalized COVID-19 patients who ask for the vaccine and how they connect recovered patients and their family members to vaccination opportunities. (Becker’s Hospital Review)