The Gist Healthcare Podcast

Some insurers are paying pediatricians so little for rapid covid tests, some stopped offering them. British health officials are going door-to-door testing thousands to stamp out a coronavirus variant. And Manaus, Brazil is struggling with a COVID surge and a shortage of oxygen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Senate Democrats take the first step to move President Biden’s coronavirus relief bill forward. Independent scientists confirm Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine is more than 90 percent effective. And despite treating fewer patients, HCA Healthcare reports big profits in 2020. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hospital programs to treat COVID long haulers grow as scientists try to figure out what’s causing prolonged illness. States are dumping a vaccine software the government spent millions on. And Uber is expanding its prescription delivery service.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are airing an episode from the health policy podcast Tradeoffs titled “We Need You”.   Nursing home workers and residents have been prioritized for COVID-19 vaccinations because of how deadly the pandemic for both staff and residents. But in the first several weeks of the rollout, many workers have passed on getting the injection. The Tradeoffs team dug into vaccine hesitancy among nursing home staff—and found deep, longstanding challenges that extend well beyond the decision to take the COVID-19 shot.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Biden takes more action to roll back Trump’s healthcare moves. People trying to get COVID-19 vaccines in many states struggle to get an appointment. And more non-smokers are getting lung cancer, we highlight a report from one of the disease victims. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Walgreens Boots Alliance has chosen Starbucks Chief Operating Officer Rosalind Brewer to take over as CEO. President Joe Biden is expected to take more healthcare executive actions to expand insurance coverage. And Anthem reports continued Medicare Advantage growth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Biden is giving states more vaccines and more time to plan. Israel is leading the world in COVID-19 vaccinations. And healthcare workers report the pandemic is taking a toll on their mental health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Google, Amazon, and other large companies are offering help with COVID-19 vaccine distribution. As more transmissible coronavirus variants are identified in the US, vaccine makers are working to catch up. And President Biden says he’s willing to negotiate on the $1.9 trillion relief proposal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Price transparency and interoperability rules are continuing to make healthcare more consumer-driven. Kristen Valdes, founder and CEO of healthcare technology company b.well Connected Health and Board Member of the CARIN Alliance, believes the industry is shifting toward consumerism and early adopters of transparency will gain patient loyalty.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exactly a year ago this week, the first case of the novel coronavirus was confirmed in the US. Since then there have been more than 24 million cases and more than 400,000 deaths. One year later, President Biden laid out a new detailed, fortified response guided by science. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.