Featuring hospital and health care headlines from the media and the Web.
Iowa News
Governor says Iowans will convince lawmakers to pass Invest in Iowa Act
Governor Kim Reynolds plans to hold half a dozen town hall meetings this week to tout the “Invest in Iowa Act” she unveiled seven weeks ago. The plan includes income tax cuts and would reduce overall tax revenue to the state by about $7 million. However, it would also require the governor’s fellow Republicans in the legislature to vote to raise the state sales tax by one percent. Reynolds indicated she would be open to adjusting the plan so the state takes overall, not just part of the costs of Iowa’s mental health care system. Those costs are currently paid with county property taxes. (Radio Iowa)
Former chamber exec credits Marshalltown ER for saving his life
When a person’s health can change at a moment’s notice, it’s critical to have an emergency room just a few minutes away. Ken and Carolyn Anderson didn’t need that kind of reminder, but life provided one anyway on Oct. 18. One Friday afternoon, Ken, retired longtime President and CEO of Marshalltown’s Chamber of Commerce stumbled into his house and told Carolyn he didn’t feel well. By the time Carolyn reached the ER at UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown, Ken was unresponsive, had no pulse and wasn’t breathing. Seconds later, emergency personnel started chest compressions. (Marshalltown Times Republican)
Urgent care clinics continue to open across the Quad Cities
More clinics continue to open up around the Quad Cities because of a need for more easy access. According to Genesis, six new services have opened around the QCA in the last six months, including convenient care clinics. UnityPoint Health also continues to open more Express Care locations. Officials with UnityPoint say the demand for these types of ‘convenient care’ clinics is high. (KWQC)
National News
Mental health access scarce in rural, farming communities
With farmers facing increasing stress and depression, Midwestern states and national farm groups are making more efforts to better provide services to alleviate the high rate of suicide among the agriculture industry. Yet in rural areas, this care is more of a challenge. Rural hospitals — often the primary source of health care services in these areas — are closing or merging. Since 2010, 23 hospitals have closed across the Midwest — a loss of nearly 1,000 beds, according to the North Carolina Rural Health Research Program. (Oskaloosa Herald)
Colorado at the center of national debate over controlling health care costs
One of the biggest fights of the Colorado legislature this year is about to start, with the introduction of a highly anticipated bill to create a statewide health insurance option coming as soon as next week. The bill is a key piece of Colorado Democratic lawmakers’ agenda to tackle rising hospital costs, an issue that state governments and presidential candidates alike have been trying to address. Colorado Republicans are pursuing counterproposals they say would reduce health care costs with less emphasis on hospitals’ portion. (Denver Post)
Coronavirus outbreak could cause shortages of 150 drugs: report
A worsening coronavirus outbreak reportedly could threaten shortages of about 150 prescription drugs, several of them with no alternatives. China’s role in supplying the ingredients used in medications means that decreased Chinese production capability amid the outbreaks could threaten supplies of the drugs, which include antibiotics, generics, and branded drugs. The FDA did not directly comment on the list but said it was “keenly aware that the outbreak could impact the medical product supply chain” and is working to identify potential vulnerabilities connected with it, according to Axios. (The Hill)