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The #COVID19 pandemic is decimating not just the current, but also the future, health of Americans. My hospital system& #39;s exemplary preparedness efforts - planning ahead, shutting down elective surgeries, etc - led to a $23 million deficit last month alone.
https://www.lifespan.org/sites/default/files/lifespan-files/documents/lifespan-main/Press-Release-March-2020-Financials-FINAL.pdf">https://www.lifespan.org/sites/def...
https://www.lifespan.org/sites/default/files/lifespan-files/documents/lifespan-main/Press-Release-March-2020-Financials-FINAL.pdf">https://www.lifespan.org/sites/def...
Many hospitals and clinics across the country were already financially strapped.
They are now in danger of closing their doors forever. https://www.axios.com/coronavirus-doctors-practices-sell-close-d59aa9f0-1e01-4a90-82f7-d4ebab26e355.html">https://www.axios.com/coronavir...
They are now in danger of closing their doors forever. https://www.axios.com/coronavirus-doctors-practices-sell-close-d59aa9f0-1e01-4a90-82f7-d4ebab26e355.html">https://www.axios.com/coronavir...
This means:
* Docs will lose employment
* Nurses will lose employment
* Support staff will lose employment
[nb: healthcare is a top employer in most states]
* Docs will lose employment
* Nurses will lose employment
* Support staff will lose employment
[nb: healthcare is a top employer in most states]
---More importantly---- if clinics & hospitals close their doors:
* Patients will not be able access care in a timely or geographically reasonable manner
* People will be sicker
* Existing disparities in care will be worsened
* People will be more likely to die
* Patients will not be able access care in a timely or geographically reasonable manner
* People will be sicker
* Existing disparities in care will be worsened
* People will be more likely to die
The losses will be particularly acute in rural and high-poverty areas, and for small clinics & hospitals.
But make no mistake: we will all be affected.
But make no mistake: we will all be affected.
My hospital& #39;s CEO, like many others across the country, will be forgoing his salary. His priority is our system, our employees, and our patients..... but this is a stopgap
https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20200422/lifespan-lost-more-than-75-million-in-march-alone">https://www.providencejournal.com/news/2020... HT @bamaral44
https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20200422/lifespan-lost-more-than-75-million-in-march-alone">https://www.providencejournal.com/news/2020... HT @bamaral44
The federal government is providing some support. But honestly, it& #39;s insufficient for the scope of the issues. https://www.axios.com/health-care-bailout-fund-coronavirus-175-billion-361923f7-e5bb-4fb0-9117-1d0a3c759c0d.html">https://www.axios.com/health-ca...
Where are the insurance companies, to help frontline providers & patients?
One idea here (HT @gordondeb): https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/04/22/health-insurers-unpopular-they-should-seize-chance-change-coronavirus-column/5153837002/">https://www.usatoday.com/story/opi...
One idea here (HT @gordondeb): https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/04/22/health-insurers-unpopular-they-should-seize-chance-change-coronavirus-column/5153837002/">https://www.usatoday.com/story/opi...
Where are the thinktanks and policymakers, thinking about how to use this crisis to redesign many of the existing inequities in the #healthcare system?
Cf the work that @thehowie and many more of us did, over a month ago, at http://covid19bill.org"> http://covid19bill.org
Cf the work that @thehowie and many more of us did, over a month ago, at http://covid19bill.org"> http://covid19bill.org
Where is the systemic plan?
Cf a few of the recommendations of @ASlavitt @USofCare https://unitedstatesofcare.org/covid-19/usofcare-covid-19-response-federal-policy-recommendations/">https://unitedstatesofcare.org/covid-19/...
Cf a few of the recommendations of @ASlavitt @USofCare https://unitedstatesofcare.org/covid-19/usofcare-covid-19-response-federal-policy-recommendations/">https://unitedstatesofcare.org/covid-19/...
Now is the time to increase the pressure & noise for redesign of finances, patient access, and emergency preparedness.
Because if our healthcare system involutes, the impact of #COVID19 will pale compared to the human suffering that will result.
/fin
Because if our healthcare system involutes, the impact of #COVID19 will pale compared to the human suffering that will result.
/fin
