Featuring hospital and health care headlines from the media and the web.
Iowa news
Greene County Medical Center contributes $25 million to Greene County’s economy
The Greene County Medical Center released its economic impact data for the 2019 calendar year. According to the Iowa Hospital Association, the medical center contributed over $25 million to the County’s economy in 2019. The report shows that medical center employees spend just under $3 million on retail sales within the county and contributed almost $176,000 in state sales tax revenues. (Raccoon Valley Radio)
Despite rising COVID-19 cases, Cedar Rapids hospitals are prepared
Most states are seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases. Cedar Rapids is one of the many Iowa communities grappling with rising case numbers. Hospital leaders there say their facilities are better equipped than when the pandemic began. UnityPoint Hospital is feeling much more prepared for a surge in cases than it did back in March when the coronavirus first started taking off. (KCAU-TV)
Experts expect uptick in COVID-19 cases following Fourth of July celebrations
Some health experts are warning that Iowans may see an even bigger uptick in COVID-19 cases over the next few days. Dr. Ravi Memuri at MercyOne believes results will come in for many who went out during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Dr. Vemuri said the uptick in positive cases could come around July 18, exactly two weeks from July 4. He expects it to take days for people to get tested and even more time before his team starts seeing patients. (KCCI)
National news
Congress must act to help rural hospitals
Rural America plays a vital role in the cultural and economic landscape of our country. From the development of natural resources that keep the lights on, lower energy costs, and keep us and our allies safer, to being the home for our manufacturing base where American-made goods are produced. Similarly, rural hospitals play a vital role in providing critical front-line care for millions of Americans. But they continue to be at risk for consolidation and closure, resulting in fewer health care options for a changing demographic with unique health problems. (The Daily Item)
HHS is releasing over $4 billion in relief payments to safety net, rural hospitals
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Health Resources and Services Administration has announced approximately $3 billion in funding to hospitals working on thin margins which serve a large percentage of vulnerable populations. HHS expects to distribute the $3 billion across 215 acute care facilities, bringing the total payments for safety net hospitals from the Provider Relief Fund to $12.8 billion for 959 facilities. (Healthcare Finance News)
Welcome to Walgreens. The doctor will be with you soon
Walgreens plans to open full-service doctors’ offices in hundreds of its stores across the US during the next five years. It’s part of a bigger effort by the drugstore chain to become a one-stop shop for health care. Walgreens Boots Alliance is partnering with health care company VillageMD to create the 500 to 700 primary care clinics. During the next three years, Walgreens will invest $1 billion in VillageMD, including $250 million upfront, to help the build-out efforts. The full investment would give Walgreens a 30% share of VillageMD. (CNN)