The Gist Healthcare Podcast

Sanford Health's Chief Physician Dr. Jeremy Cauwels discusses how the Sioux Falls, SD-based health system is building a virtual care center to consolidate its telemedicine offerings and deliver virtual care at scale. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Healthcare worker shortages are problematic now, but a study project they’ll get worse in several states. This week Pfizer shared data with regulators on its COVID vaccine efficacy in young kids. Coast-to-coast healthcare worker vaccine mandates are working.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hospital-backed healthcare data company Truveta announces a deal with Microsoft. The American Medical Association's annual report finds a single insurer had at least half of the market in 46 percent of metro areas. And in response to a rise of attacks on healthcare workers, one Missouri hospital is adding panic buttons to employee badges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Look across the pond to France for more evidence that vaccine mandates work. Walmart Health adopts Epic’s electronic health record system. And regulators ask for more info about a merger between two Michigan hospital systems. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New York state’s COVID vaccine mandate goes into effect. Devoted Health could be the most valuable insurtech with a valuation at more than $11B. And states start rolling out COVID vaccine booster shots. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Capacity and staffing challenges from ongoing COVID surges are creating a domino effect, delaying access to other medical care and backing up emergency departments. Dr. Gregg Miller, Chief Medical Officer of hospital staffing company Vituity, says that these compounding factors are bringing sicker patients into overwhelmed and understaffed emergency departments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As vaccine mandates go into effect hospitals and nursing homes worry staffing shortages will get worse. There are renewed calls for more oversight over Medicare Advantage plans. And the FDA  recommends seniors and adults with underlying medical conditions should get COVID booster shots. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HCA Healthcare expands into fast-growing Utah. The official American death toll from the COVID pandemic has now surpassed that of the 1918 flu pandemic. And with seniors spending hundreds of dollars on dental and hearing care out-of-pocket, expanding Medicare to cover these benefits is hugely popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amid booster shot limbo, decisions are falling to doctors. With insurers rolling back COVID waivers patients are getting big bills. And Walgreens acquires a majority stake in specialty pharmacy company Shields Health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Intermountain Healthcare plans to merge with Colorado-based SCL Health. Pfizer says its vaccine elicited a strong immune response in 5-to-11-year olds. And health apps need to tell consumers if their data was exposed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.