Iowa news
132nd Wing hosts ‘Pilot for a Day’ Event for Inspirational Kids
The 132nd Wing of the Iowa Air National Guard recently hosted a “Pilot for a Day” event at the Des Moines Airbase. The event brought together four young patients and their families from Iowa children’s hospitals and the Soldiers and Airmen of the Iowa National Guard, transforming the dreams of these resilient children into a tangible reality. Through this immersive experience, these young heroes were treated to an unforgettable day of exploration, inspiration and a chance to experience the life of a pilot. (DVIDS)
COVID-19 hospitalizations, deaths continue to decline
The number of people with COVID-19 receiving inpatient treatment at Iowa hospitals is at its lowest since at least August 2020 and is steadily declining, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There were about 28 COVID-19 hospitalized patients on any given day last week at Iowa hospitals, which is down from 47 the week before. The total number of COVID-19-related deaths in Iowa since the start of the pandemic is now 10,935. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)
Hospital chef wins national award for dessert
Sioux Center Health’s Garden Cafe chef Aaron Gray’s dessert creation has been named the winner in the dessert category for the national Biskie Award hosted by Pillsbury. Dawn De Weerd with Sioux Center Health and Sarah Herland with Pillsbury presented Gray with a trophy and a $5,000 check for his accomplishment. Public voting through April 30 determined the winners of each of three categories and an overall winner. (Sioux Center News)
National news
Following discussions between the American Hospital Association and United Healthcare, the insurer announced a refocused gastroenterology policy that relies on additional provider education rather than prior authorizations to address the insurer’s concerns about possible overutilization. The refocused policy avoids potential care denials for patients, particularly vulnerable patients, and will not affect the coverage and payment of claims for these services. The gastrointestinal policy, which pertains to certain non-screening endoscopy and colonoscopy services, went into effect June 1. (American Hospital Association)
Fortune 500’s top 25 health care companies
The 69th Fortune 500 was released June 5. The annual list of the largest corporations in the U.S. ranked by revenue for the 2022 fiscal year includes 80 health care companies. The list includes eight health insurance and managed care companies. UnitedHealth Group comes out on top in this group, landing fifth in the Fortune 500 rankings overall with $324.16 billion in revenue, up 12.7% year over year. (Becker’s Hospital Review)
Teen birthrates hit another record low as progress starts to slow
The teen birthrate in the U.S. reached another record low last year, with signs that there may not be much room left for improvement, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a report published last week. Teen birthrates fell 3% in 2022, the report found, a smaller decrease than in previous years. Since 2007, the teen birthrate has decreased about 8% per year. The smaller decline last year could indicate the nation is reaching a plateau thanks to years of progress. (NBC News)