Iowa news
Des Moines mental health provider using $4 million grant to expand substance abuse help
Eyerly Ball Community Mental Health Services has received a multimillion dollar federal grant to expand substance use disorder treatment and increase access to other mental health services. The Des Moines-based provider was granted $4 million over the next four years as part of federal officials’ Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic program. Under this model, clinics offer a comprehensive range of mental health and substance use services and have the ability to care for anyone who walks through the door, regardless of their diagnosis or their ability to pay. (Des Moines Register)
Transfer of hospital from city of Waukon to Allamakee County would provide funding for services
If Allamakee County residents approve the city-to-county conversion, property owners would see a tax increase of $1.09 per $1,000 of the net taxable value of their residential properties. This would generate $950,000 in annual appropriations to the hospital to retain existing programs like surgery and obstetrics and expand services to meet growing needs through a countywide property tax, according to hospital officials. (HealthLeaders)
Iowans continue to drink above national average
Iowans are still drinking alcohol to excess, continuing the trend sparked by the pandemic and now ranking second in the nation for excessive drinking, according to a new state report released this month. Excessive alcohol use can led to serious chronic diseases, declining mental health, a weakened immune system and an increased risk for violence and injuries, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Des Moines Register)
National news
Meta says advertising tool does not collect sensitive info from hospitals
Facebook parent company Meta says its Meta Pixel tracking tool, installed at 33 top hospitals and seven health systems’ websites and patient portals, does not collect sensitive information. A Meta spokesperson said, “Advertisers should not send sensitive information about people through our business tools as doing so is against our policies.” The spokesperson added that it educates its users on how to properly set up business tools to prevent sensitive data from being collected and that its tools are designed to filter out that information if detected. (GovInfo Security)
Hospitals on track for worst financial year in decades
Health care systems in the U.S. have had a challenging year, and they are on track for their worst financial year in decades. Dramatic margin fluctuations have characterized 2022, and U.S. hospitals are still operating substantially below pre-pandemic levels. Most metrics improved month-over-month in August as revenues and expenses climbed compared to July. But most organizations are in poor shape with a negative operating margin. (Health Affairs)
Hospitals report 300% increase in RSV cases
A surge in respiratory syncytial virus is putting severe strain on children’s hospitals nationwide. Hospitals first began seeing the unseasonable RSV rise in August. Now, many are reporting a case increase of more than 300% compared to last month. On Sept. 8, CDC data shows the nation’s RSV positivity rate (based on antigen tests) was around 8%. By Oct. 15, the positivity rate jumped to more than 15%. Since reporting delays are expected, the CDC notes data for the most recent weeks may be less complete. Nonetheless, children’s hospitals are struggling to handle the unrelenting surge. (Becker’s Hospital Review)