A representative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services wants the federal agency responsible for Native American healthcare to provide more than $17.4 million sought by an Arizona tribal hospital.
As the number of devices increases, the agency is looking to adapt its regulatory framework to the new technology, including faster approval of algorithm updates.
Throughout my over 25-year career in health care, my goal has been to keep patients from falling through the cracks. Never has this been more tested than during the past three years. Having started at the bedside as an intensive care unit nurse, I know all too well the challenges both patients and caregivers face. My passion and commitment to health care is rooted in a deep understanding of all types of care, which has allowed me to experience firsthand how disconnected the health care delivery system can be. My focus is to break down silos across the continuum and improve the coordination of care to help patients and their family members gain more control over their medical journey, and in the process further enable better health outcomes.
Dramatically improving the pay and status of direct care workers may be a good place to start. If you’re reading this column, odds are you’re aware the U.S. population is aging and older Americans are living longer, on average. Still, the numbers are striking. For instance, average life expectancy for men at age 65 in 1950 was 13.1 years and for women 16.2 years, according to the Social Security Administration. The current figures are 18.09 years and 20.7 years, respectively. “Aging is actually living, and that longevity is a good thing,” said Ai-jen Poo, president of National Domestic Workers Alliance and executive director of Caring Across Generations during a recent panel discussion at Columbia University’s 2022 Age Boom Academy entitled Caregiving and Our Longer Lives. “Aging means longer to learn and to connect and to love and to teach.”
LINCOLN — Nebraska Medicaid officials have delayed signing new contracts with private companies to manage most of the state’s $1.8 billion Medicaid services until a protest filed by a losing bidder is resolved. But the Department of Health and Human Services said last week that there should be plenty of time for the three winning bidders to prepare before the planned Jan. 1, 2024, start date for the contracts.
