Susan Morse

Author's posts

WHO declares COVID-19’s Omicron a ‘Variant of Concern’

The World Health Organization has declared the new COVID-19 variant Omicron a “Variant of Concern.” 
The WHO Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution convened on Friday to assess the variant that was first reported to WHO from South Afric…

Rural providers are getting $7.5 billion in American Rescue Plan funds

The average amount is $170,700, with payments ranging from $500 to $43 million.

Surprise medical bills average $750 to $2,600, new federal report says

Millions of Americans with private health insurance experience some kind of surprise medical billing, according to a new government report released less than six weeks before the No Surprises Act goes into effect.

House passage of Build Back Better gets mixed reaction

The House on Friday morning approved President Biden’s $1.7 trillion social spending plan, in a 220 to 213 vote largely along party lines. 
“This bill is monumental, it’s historic, it’s transformative, it’s bigger than anything we’ve ever done,” House …

FDA authorizes booster dose of Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for all adults

FDA has determined that the benefits of a single booster dose outweigh the risks and provides continued protection against COVID-19.

Americans brace for a fifth wave of the pandemic this winter

COVID-19 cases on the rise again heading into the colder months and people gathering indoors, causing fear over a fifth wave of the pandemic.
The fears are valid, according to Bloomberg School of Public Health experts.
“The possibility of a winter surg…

Another home health initiative in joint venture between Jefferson Health and Bayada

Jefferson Health and Bayada Home Health Care have announced a joint venture for post-acute care at home for Jefferson patients in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Preliminarily referred to as “Jefferson Health at Home,” the joint venture will leverage the …

Medicare fee-for-service improper payments decline by over $20 billion since 2014

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has announced that  aggressive corrective actions have led to an estimated $20.72 billion reduction of Medicare fee-for-service improper payments over seven years.
 

How COVID-19 has changed the mindset around work and retirement

Workforce shortages, partly caused by retirement, has expanded the CFO role, says eHealth CFO Christine Janofsky. 

Advocate Aurora Health raises minimum wage to $18/hour

Advocate Aurora Health, among the largest employers in Illinois and Wisconsin, has announced that it will raise its minimum wage to $18 an hour beginning December 5. 
Advocate Aurora is among the first health systems in the country to do so, according …