As the unemployment rate climbs in Hernando County, FL so has the number of county residents without medical coverage. However, toward the end of 2008, all three hospitals in Hernando County found themselves with fewer patients, and ultimately laying off staff.
President Barack Obama has named a University of North Dakota rural healthcare expert to head the federal agency in charge of improving access to care in the United States. Mary Wakefield, a nurse who heads that university's Center for Rural Health, was chosen to head the Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department.
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius once called on lawmakers to bring health coverage to all state residents, and legislators largely ignored her. The Democrat has supported proposals to increase tobacco taxes to pay for healthcare initiatives, and lawmakers never seriously considered them. Her record on healthcare is getting renewed attention because she's viewed in Washington as a leading candidate for health and human services secretary.
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, mentioned as a top candidate for health secretary, said she has not talked with President Barack Obama about joining his Cabinet. "There really isn't anything to tell. I haven't had any meetings about the position," Sebelius said in an interview with The Associated Press. Pressed on whether she had spoken to Obama about heading the Health and Human Services Department, Sebelius said, "I have not."
In an ideal world, people faced with medical decisions would discuss the pros and cons with their doctors. But in the real world, people agree to take drugs, have surgery and undergo tests after a much more one-sided process, new studies show. As a result, researchers say, too many people get care they don't want or need and miss out on options that make more sense for them.
The only hospital in Clayton County, GA, is trying to fill 80 vacancies and recruit back physicians and patients who have taken their business to other area hospitals. Southern Regional Health System's interim chief executive said progress has been made since last month, when officials had to beg the county for financial help. "We're trying to build services as much as possible," said Ron Dodson, chairman of the hospital's board of directors. "A lot of physicians are going to Henry. Some use Piedmont Fayette. We want to see what they can do to make their work at Southern Regional better."