Iowa news
VA health care, resources used during coronavirus response
For the first time during the pandemic, a nonveteran infected with COVID-19 was hospitalized at the Veterans Affairs Health Care System in Iowa City as part of a federal policy to help other hospitals in times of crisis. (The Gazette)
Experts provide solutions to improve mental health in Iowa schools amid pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is taking a big toll on a lot of people’s mental health, including students and teachers. The Iowa Center for School Mental Health says one of the biggest things schools can do is help students and staff understand mental health issues and where they can go for help. They also say erasing the stigma around mental health needs to happen. (KCRG)
Cedar Rapids hospitals ramp up their heart programs
Four years after Mercy Medical Center introduced a new heart service, the Cedar Rapids hospital has hired a second open-heart surgeon and broken ground on the Heart Center at Mercy, a new facility that will house its heart and vascular services under one roof. Hospital officials say both steps are part of their goal to grow their heart program as patient numbers continue to climb. (The Gazette)
National news
Albuquerque hospitals enact crisis standards of care during ‘unprecedented’ time
The two largest hospital systems in Albuquerque, New Mexico, have activated crisis standards of care because of an “unprecedented level” of activity during the pandemic. University of New Mexico Health System and Presbyterian Healthcare Services leaders said in a joint press briefing that they have transitioned to crisis standards of care at their Albuquerque metro hospitals. (ABC News)
Officials break ground on new veterans hospital in Kentucky
After years of planning, the Department of Veterans Affairs broke ground on a new hospital in Louisville. The $840 million project is being built on Brownsboro Road and will replace the aging Robley Rex VA Medical Center on Zorn Avenue. (News Observer)
Build Back Better subsidies would outweigh hospital spending
If President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better framework expanding Medicaid is implemented, federal health subsidies would outweigh an estimated increase in hospital spending by nearly 3-to-1, according to an Urban Institute analysis. The analysis estimates that coverage expansions in 12 states would increase hospital spending by $6.8 billion. But the framework also would provide $19.6 billion in federal health subsidies in the same state. Under the framework, 3.1 million Americans in the Medicaid coverage gap would receive coverage. (Becker’s Hospital Review)