Today’s NewsStand

Today’s NewsStand

By Iowa Hospital Association|
|July 13, 2021

Iowa news

A new report has found that health disparities along racial and educational lines persist in Iowa

A report from the United Healthcare Foundation found gaps between the number of Hispanic and white Iowans who have a dedicated health care provider. It also found that Iowans without high school diplomas are significantly more likely to be food insecure than college graduates. (Iowa Public Radio)

HealthPartners UnityPoint Health to launch new small-group health plan options
HealthPartners UnityPoint Health announced it will start offering fully insured health insurance plans to businesses and organizations with fewer than 50 employees. HPUPH, a joint venture between Minnesota-based HealthPartners and Iowa-based UnityPoint Health, will roll out 27 new plan options for the small-group employer market, enabling businesses to choose plans with broad or narrow provider networks. (Business Record)

Southeast Iowa reporting lowest levels of COVID-19 vaccination

More than 47% of Iowans are vaccinated across the state, but many counties in southeast Iowa have vaccinated a much lower percentage of their population. The southeast region has a lower vaccination rate than any other region across the state, which experts said will increase the likelihood of a COVID-19 outbreak. Davis, Decatur, Keokuk, Mahaska, Lucas, Monroe, Wayne, Appanoose, Van Buren, Jefferson, Des Moines, and Lee counties all have vaccination rates below 40%. (KCRG)

National news

The FDA is planning to warn that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can increase the risk of a rare nerve condition, another setback for the shot

Although regulators have found that the chances of developing the condition are low, they appear to be three to five times higher among recipients of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine than among the general population in the United States, according to people familiar with the decision. (The New York Times)

‘Every CEO, at this point, is now in the business of cybersecurity’: How hospitals should rethink threat defenses

As cyberattacks on hospitals and health systems continue to escalate, the role of chief information security officer must evolve to adequately protect patients’ information and have a more prominent role in the business. (Becker’s Hospital Review)

‘Best of intentions can be misguided’: Hospitals criticize Biden executive order

Hospital groups pushed back against President Joe Biden’s latest executive order that targets hospital consolidation. The order, signed July 9, asked the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to review and revise their guidelines on hospital mergers to limit harm to patients. (Becker’s Hospital Review)

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