Over 11% of U.S. adults, equivalent to nearly 29 million people, are unable to afford or access quality healthcare, the highest rate since 2021, according to the West Health-Gallup Healthcare Indices Study. The study highlights significant increases in "Cost Desperate" individuals among Hispanic adults (18%), Black adults (14%), and those earning under $24,000 annually (25%), while the situation for White adults and higher-income groups has seen little change. Furthermore, the percentage of Americans classified as "Cost Secure" has dropped to 51%, with notable declines among Hispanic (34%) and Black (41%) adults, underscoring increasing disparities in healthcare access based on race and income.

Healthcare Access Crisis: 29 Million U.S. Adults Struggle to Afford Care Gallup

Risant Health has appointed Dr. Jessica Bartell as its new chief medical information officer, starting March 24. In her role, Dr. Bartell will enhance clinical informatics by steering strategic initiatives for clinical information systems and fostering collaboration among IT, medical, and executive teams. With a rich background in clinical transformation and population health from her tenure at UnitedHealthcare and EBSCO Health, Dr. Bartell is well-equipped to improve workflows and clinical technologies. Her academic credentials include an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a medical degree from the University of Wisconsin Medical School.

Risant Health Welcomes Dr. Jessica Bartell as Chief Medical Information Officer Risant Health

Atrium Health has launched its first pediatric hospital-at-home program in Charlotte, North Carolina, to provide high-quality care for pediatric patients in their homes in response to capacity challenges at traditional facilities. Launched in February, the program has treated nearly 30 patients, focusing on areas like feeding, nutrition, and infectious disease management, with careful consideration of the medical services suitable for home delivery. The initiative aims to offer families a more comfortable environment during treatment and has already shown benefits, such as enabling some newborns to return home earlier and enhancing emotional well-being by keeping families close to their support networks.

Atrium Health Launches Innovative Pediatric Hospital-at-Home Program in Charlotte Becker's Hospital Review

The Health Sector Coordinating Council (HSCC) has proposed a consultative process with cybersecurity leaders instead of moving forward with the January 2025 NPRM for the HIPAA Security Rule, citing concerns that the NPRM may not effectively address the systemic cybersecurity challenges faced by the healthcare sector. The HSCC's Cybersecurity Working Group has pointed out potential budgetary and implementation issues, advocating for a year-long consultation to develop tailored cybersecurity policies. Additionally, HSCC highlighted previous collaborative efforts with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to assess hospital cybersecurity and set performance goals, arguing that the NPRM overlooks these advancements. Financially, HHS estimates that implementing the NPRM would require approximately $9 billion in the first year and $6 billion annually for the next four years.

HSCC Advocates Consultations Over Costly HIPAA Security Rule Proposal TechTarget