CDC, amid criticism for COVID-19 response, plans reorganization as public health threats grow

The shakeup includes the creation of new offices, staffing moves and steps to expedite data releases, CDC director Rochelle Walensky informed staff on Wednesday.

By Rebecca Pifer • Aug. 18, 2022

Hospitals are seeing sicker patients after pandemic delays, AHA warns

Rising patient acuity is driving up costs for labor, drugs and supplies and straining finances, the hospital lobby said.

By Susan Kelly • Aug. 17, 2022

Tracking healthcare worker strikes

About 7,000 nurses who waged a three-day strike at two New York hospitals voted in favor of ratifying new contract deals, according to a Tuesday release from the union.

Updated Jan. 24, 2023

Telehealth visits rose in May, mirroring COVID-19 diagnoses

Patients made greater use of virtual care visits for a second straight month during an upturn in coronavirus cases.

By Susan Kelly • Aug. 9, 2022

Healthcare industry nearly recovered from early pandemic job losses

Hospitals added about 13,000 jobs in July compared to about 20,000 in June, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

By Hailey Mensik • Aug. 5, 2022

CVS beats Q2 expectations, Aetna revenue rises nearly 11%

The company raised its full-year guidance despite a $77 million decrease in adjusted operating income, primarily due to declines in its retail segment.

By Sydney Halleman • Aug. 3, 2022

CDC backs Novavax's protein-based vaccine for COVID-19

Health officials argue a new type of shot could help to persuade unvaccinated people, although some surveys suggest that might not be the case. 

By Delilah Alvarado • July 21, 2022

Molina to pay $150M for Wisconsin Medicaid firm in latest buy

Acquisitions are key to Molina’s growth strategy, CEO Joe Zubretsky has said.

By Samantha Liss • July 14, 2022

As Congress, Biden administration squabble over COVID-19 funds, an ongoing pandemic response posture strains public health

Congress and the administration are at odds on the need to purchase more vaccines and therapeutics while the public health workforce is beleaguered, former Moderna VP Richard Hughes argues.

By Richard Hughes • July 14, 2022

FDA clears Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine as 4th option in US

The regulator’s decision comes more than a year after the main part of the principal trial was completed, raising questions about the shot’s effectiveness against omicron.

By Jonathan Gardner • Updated July 13, 2022

Antibiotic-resistant infections rose in hospitals during pandemic, CDC data shows

Nearly 30,000 people died from infections associated with healthcare settings in the first year of the pandemic and about 40% were infected during a hospital stay, according to the CDC.

By Hailey Mensik • July 12, 2022

University of California nurses nab new contract deal

The system and unionized nurses were able to reach a deal before the end of their prior contract, which was slated to expire this fall.

By Hailey Mensik • July 11, 2022

COVID-19 reappeared in top 5 telehealth diagnoses in April

Telehealth use overall rose nationally and in every region following two months of decline, according to Fair Health’s monthly tracker.

By Hailey Mensik • July 6, 2022

Healing within the healthcare community starts with empathy

The U.S. healthcare system can’t take much more employee turnover without compromising care. Overwhelmed and overworked, many healthcare workers don’t feel safe and supported, Qualtrics’ CMO argues.

By Adrienne Boissy • July 5, 2022

SCOTUS won't hear challenge to health worker vaccine mandate

Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch and Samuel Alito dissented in the court’s decision regarding the New York lawsuit.

By Hailey Mensik • July 1, 2022

Pfizer seeks full FDA approval of Paxlovid as questions about its benefits grow

A standard clearance could further broaden Paxlovid’s fast-rising use. But weaknesses are emerging too, among them unclear benefits in vaccinated people and a potential lack of potency against new variants.

By Delilah Alvarado • June 30, 2022

The doctor's visit of the future will be like having coffee with a friend. Here's why

Solv Health CMO Robert Rohatsch contends that digital healthcare transformation will help GPs finally get back to what most of us really want to do in the first place — keep patients healthy.

By Robert Rohatsch • June 22, 2022

AMA presses policies on abortion, guns, climate at annual meeting

The AMA announced over 20 policies including those that declared climate change a public health crisis, urged the FDA to make over-the-counter oral contraceptives accessible and more.

By Sydney Halleman • June 21, 2022

FDA authorizes Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for young children

The much-anticipated decision follows two days after a panel of independent experts unanimously recommended expanding the shots’ use. A CDC panel is meeting Friday and Saturday to develop specific recommendations. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • June 17, 2022

Pfizer study results show Paxlovid benefit less clear in lower-risk patients

A closely watched study missed its goal, failing to prove the antiviral pill’s benefit in a broader population than the high-risk people for whom it’s currently cleared.

By Ned Pagliarulo • June 16, 2022

FDA advisers recommend Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for youngest children

Independent experts unanimously supported use of both shots in children aged 6 months to 5 years old, clearing the way for an FDA decision.

By Ben Fidler • Updated June 15, 2022

FDA staff supportive of Pfizer, Moderna COVID vaccines in young children

Agency scientists found the shots to be similarly effective in kids as in older teenagers and raised no major safety red flags, documents published ahead of a meeting of agency advisers this week show.

By Jonathan Gardner , Ned Pagliarulo • June 13, 2022

Physician residents reach deal with Los Angeles County, averting strike

The labor discord is one of several recent disputes in California, where unions representing healthcare workers have been especially active as more contracts expire and staff see an opportunity to negotiate working conditions.

By Hailey Mensik • June 8, 2022

Surge in 'new' nurses reflects rise in resignations, job shuffling, study finds

Median nursing tenure fell 19.5% across the U.S from March 2021 to March 2022, according to an analysis by Epic.

By Hailey Mensik • June 7, 2022

Healthcare payrolls recovering, still lag pre-pandemic levels

Hospitals led growth in healthcare jobs in May as the industry slowly rebuilds its pandemic-shaken workforce.

By Susan Kelly • June 6, 2022