ABL HEALTHCARE ONLINE
ABL Healthcare Member News & Industry Trendletter * November 14, 2024
UPCOMING ABL-HEALTH
ZOOM TABLES
  • 11/15 - Los Angeles ZOOM Table - Discussion Topic: "Focusing on Leveraging Partnerships & Ops" - Featuring Nick Focil of FOMAT Medical Research & Marcee Chmait of Providence Digital Innovation Group

  • 11/21 - Bay Area ZOOM Table - Discussion Topic: "Key Takeaways from ABL's 'AI Evolutions in 2024' Event"

  • 12/04 - Orange County ZOOM Table - Invitation coming soon

  • Explore Membership in ABL's Executive Round Tables >>>

ICYMI: The Slide Presentations from ABL's "AI Evolutions - in 2024" (held in person on 10/30/24) are now available on the password-protected "MEMBERS ONLY" section of the ABL Website, under "Presentations".

Click on Headlines to Read Articles
ABL-HEALTH MEMBER NEWS
Click on Headlines to Read Articles
ABL-TECH MEMBERS' HEALTHCARE NEWS
EXPANDED ARTICLES
ABL-HEALTH MEMBER NEWS
Alameda Health Care District's Debi Stebbins Quoted in LA Times Article

The Los Angeles Times recently reported on the complexity of seismically upgrading local hospitals in an article highlighting how Alameda Health System and The City of Alameda Health Care District have successfully financed upgrades to Alameda Hospital that meet the new seismic requirements. In the article - California hospitals scramble on earthquake retrofits as state limits extensions - Debi Stebbins, Executive Director of the District, which owns the Alameda Hospital buildings, said small hospitals face a big challenge. Even though Alameda is close to San Francisco and Oakland, the tunnels, bridges, and ferries that connect it to the mainland could easily be shut in an emergency, making the island's hospital a lifeline. "It's an unfunded mandate," Debi said of the state's 2030 deadline. The article says that she has had to help her district figure out a plan. (BA)

Alameda Health System's (Dave Sayen) AHS Affiliates with St. Rose Hospital + SNFs Among America's Best Nursing Homes, Per Newsweek

Alameda Health System (AHS) announced that it will take on the governance of St. Rose Hospital, a nonprofit community hospital in Hayward, CA, in an effort to ensure the hospital's long-term sustainability and access to care in Alameda County. While it will become an affiliate of the broader Alameda Health System, St. Rose will continue to operate as an independent, nonprofit, community hospital with its own board of directors, appointed by AHS.
ALSO, Alameda Hospital Skilled Nursing Facilities are ranked #1 in Alameda County and 14th in California, among nursing homes with more than 150 beds, according to Newsweek's 2025 ranking of America's Best Nursing Homes. (BA)

Choice in Aging (Debbie Toth) Participates in California Disability Leadership Alliance & Shares Its Policy Report

The newly formed California Disability Leadership Alliance, of which Choice in Aging (CiA) is a member, has published its first report, State of the State: California Disability Policy in 2024. The goal of the Alliance is to build cross-disability collaboration, solidarity, and political power to influence and improve policies for disabled people in California. The report identifies the many areas in which lawmakers, state agency leaders, and advocates may partner to advance disability community interests.
ALSO, watch recent episodes of Dishing With Debbie, including when CiA CEO Debbie Toth spoke with Heather Young, PhD, RN, about healthy aging. (BA)

Donor Network West (Janice Whaley, Ph.D.) First in California to Using Cutting-Edge Tech, OrganOx

Donor Network West (DNW) is the first organ procurement organization in California to launch the use of the OrganOx metra, a cutting-edge liver preservation machine. This machine increases the number of donor livers available for transplantation by maintaining liver function during testing and transport, and can improve outcomes for transplant recipients. DNW's team of organ preservationists have completed extensive training within the organization and at OrganOx's state-of-the-art simulation lab and with transplant surgeons at several transplant centers. (BA)

GrandCare Health Services (David Bell, Ph.D.) Achieves CHAP Accreditation - with Zero Findings

GrandCare San Diego has earned CHAP (Community Health Accreditation Partner) accreditation with zero findings - a rare and prestigious accomplishment in the home healthcare industry. The rigorous CHAP survey assesses an organization's compliance with numerous benchmarks, ensuring that every aspect of patient care and operations aligns with the highest quality measures. GrandCare's zero findings achievement indicates that no deficiencies were found throughout this thorough evaluation. (LA)

iMediSync (Dave Berkus) Debuts iSyncMe Solution & Sponsors Upcoming Webinars

iMediSync has announced that its iSyncMe is now available for purchase - the world's first EEG measurement and Neurotherapy convergence solution and a mental health care platform device capable of remote care.
MEANWHILE, on November 15, iMediSync will sponsor a webinar - Autism, ADHD, and Near-InfraRed Light Therapy, which will explore the integration of Infra-Red Light Therapy with neurofeedback training programs at the ADD Centre.
AND, on December 4, iMediSync will sponsor another webinar - Neuroinflamation and Brain Health: A Deep Dive into QEEG, Photobiomodulation and Neurofeedback. (LA)

Kaiser Permanente (Marcos Vasconcelos) Medicare Health Plans Rated Highly by CMS

Kaiser Permanente's Medicare Advantage health plans are highly rated, according to CMS's 2025 Star Ratings. All KP MA plans earned either 4 or 4.5 stars out of a maximum of 5. KP's plans in California, Georgia, and the Mid-Atlantic states are tied for highest in their geographic markets, while KP's plan in Hawaii is rated highest. (BA)

Leech Tishman Nelson Hardiman (Harry Nelson, JD) to Provide Webinar on Social Media & Mobile Devices - HIPAA & Privacy Concerns

On November 21, Leech Tishman Nelson Hardiman (LTNH) will present a webinar - Social Media & Mobile Devices in the Workplace: HIPAA and Data Privacy Concerns. With the expansion of digital tools in healthcare, data privacy and security continue to be critical issues. Companies must ensure they maintain compliance with the California Consumer Privacy Act and the California Privacy Rights Act, which have implications for employee and patient data handled by healthcare employers.
AND, LTNH continues to present webinars (live and replays) on labor and employment law concerns affecting the healthcare industry - click here to access them. (LA)

Life Adjustment Team Offers Tips for Facing Internal Fears

In Facing Fear: Turning Ghosts into Guides on the Path to Personal Growth, Life Adjustment Team (LAT) shares that fear is a natural response, evolved to protect us. However, internal fears - those rooted in past experiences, limiting beliefs, or feelings of unworthiness - often keep us from fully experiencing life and embracing new challenges. These fears may not stem from physical danger, but they can feel equally overwhelming, manifesting as anxiety, self-doubt, or avoidance. LAT then explains that there are concrete ways to address them and suggests three practical steps. (LA)

Makani Science (Greg Buchert, MD) Publishes Short Video of Its Respiratory Monitor

A new 1:25-minute video highlights the multiple attributes of the Makani Science Respiratory Monitor, the world's first wearable continuous respiratory monitor that can measure the most important aspect of breathing. In the video, CEO Greg Buchert shares that the small, wireless monitor can be used for asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, other types of sleep disordered breathing, and more. (OC)

MedWand (Todd Cornell) Spotlighted in Healthcare IT News

Healthcare IT News has featured MedWand in its recent article, Arizona agency's omnichannel approach to home health includes telehealth and RPM. In the article, the CEO of MD Home Health explains why the organization has embraced a four-pronged, technology-infused style of home health - which includes utilization of MedWand - and how the approach should streamline delivery and improve patient outcomes. (OC)

Northern California PET Imaging Center (Bradley Schmidt) Buys Its Corporate Headquarters

NCPIC announced that it has successfully completed the acquisition of its corporate headquarters in Sacramento - the company's home for the past 32 years. The 11,200 sq. ft. property was created as a JV non-profit to help launch PET imaging access in the US. (BA)

On Lok (Grace Li) Celebrates Milestones for Centers in San Francisco & San Jose

On Lok recently celebrated the completion of the renovation of the On Lok PACE Gee Day Health Center, which has two PACE teams where its staff provides activities, meals and services to its participants.
AND, On Lok recently hosted "From Foundations to the Future," a special event that celebrated the 10th anniversary of the On Lok PACE East San Jose Center. (BA)

Pangea Laboratory (Yap Chew, Ph.D.) Partners with Unilabs to Serve Switzerland & Zymo Research Joins Forces to Help Marine Mammals

Pangea Laboratory has partnered with Unilabs, a leading European provider of clinical lab testing and diagnostic imaging services, to bring the Bladder CARE Assay to Switzerland, where it will be covered by insurance, enhancing access for patients. This strategic collaboration aims to streamline cancer diagnostics in Switzerland, with plans for a broader rollout of Bladder CARE across Europe.
AND, Zymo Research Corporation, Unravel Biosciences, and Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute have joined forces in an urgent research initiative to identify drug therapies for marine mammals affected by domoic acid (DA) poisoning. As climate change drives environmental shifts that increase the frequency of harmful phytoplankton blooms, marine life, especially sea lions, face an escalating threat from DA toxicity. (OC)

Providence (Marcee Chmait) Unveils New Center Focused on Cardiac Amyloidosis Treatment

Providence has announced the Howard "H" White Center for Cardiac Amyloidosis at Providence Heart Institute. Howard "H" White, the mastermind behind the famous Jordan Brand at Nike and a trusted advisor to Michael Jordan, turned his personal battle with cardiac amyloidosis into a philanthropic endeavor. After receiving a life-saving heart transplant at Providence, Howard is now advocating for early detection and treatment of this under-diagnosed and progressive disease, which disproportionately affects the Black community.
ALSO, read Becker Health IT's recent article, How spinoff companies help Providence. (LA)

Rose Strategic Partners' Bob Rose to Speak at Future of Healthtech Conference

Bob Rose, of Rose Strategic Partners, will be speaking on "The role of clinical-grade connected devices in Telehealth" at the TechBlick virtual conference: The Future of Healthtech RESHAPED 2024, on December 4-5, 2024. (LA)

Onward (Steve Grau) Receives $2.3M Grant from NIH & Royal Ambulance Reflects on Its Experience Working at Burning Man

Onward has been awarded a $2.3 million grant from the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health. Over the next two years, the company will be leading a groundbreaking study to assess the impacts of its unique Door-Through-Door rides on appointment adherence, quality of life, and caregiver burden for older adults and individuals with Alzheimer's dementias.
ALSO, Royal Ambulance has published an article - Lessons from the Playa: Reflecting on Teamwork, Leadership, and Adaptability with our CEO Steve Grau, which discusses the company's experiences and lessons learned in building and operating an EMS and medical center at the Burning Man event this past summer. (BA)

Sheppard Mullin (Linda Igarashi) Provides Valuable Healthcare Insights
WestFax (Barry Clark) Discusses HIPAA-Compliant Cloud Faxing & More

In Utilizing HIPAA-Compliant Cloud Fax for Interdepartmental Communication in Healthcare, WestFax discusses security and compliance, speed and quality, simultaneous faxing capabilities, real-world applications, best practices, and more.
Click here to read more articles from WestFax, including: The Role of Cloud Fax in Disaster Recovery Planning; Going Green in Healthcare: How Cloud Faxing Supports Sustainability; and The Role of Cloud Faxing in Healthcare Hybrid Work Models. (OC)

ABL-TECH MEMBERS' HEALTHCARE NEWS
Eckert & Ziegler (Frank Yeager) & GlyTherix Sign Agreement for Lutetium-177 Supply

Eckert & Ziegler (EZ) and GlyTherix Ltd, an Australian targeted radiotherapy company specializing in developing antibody radiopharmaceuticals for solid tumors, have announced a new global clinical supply agreement. EZ will provide its GMP grade non-carrier added Lutetium-177 chloride for use in GlyTherix's clinical trials focused on innovative treatments for aggressive and invasive cancers. (LA)

HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY NEWS & TRENDS
HEALTHCARE & GOVERNMENT:
CALIFORNIA NEWS
California Voters Give Medi-Cal Doctors a Raise by Passing Prop. 35

Doctors who serve California's poorest residents will get paid more, in some cases, for the first time in two decades, thanks to a ballot measure approved by voters last week. The Associated Press called Proposition 35 victorious after results showed it jumped to a sizable lead. The ballot measure asked voters to earmark between $2 billion and $5 billion of special tax revenue annually to Medi-Cal, the state's health insurance program for low-income residents and people with disabilities. The revenue comes from an existing tax on health insurers that lawmakers are currently able to spend in other ways. Nearly 15 million Californians, a third of the state's population, rely on Medi-Cal. Prop. 35 earmarks a majority of the state's Managed Care Organization Tax to raise rates for certain providers in an effort to improve access to health care. (https://calmatters.org/politics/elections/2024/11/election-result-proposition-35/)

Newsom Calls for Special Legislative Session to Prepare for Conflicts with President Trump

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is summoning the Legislature for a special session on Dec. 2 for more funding to defend California from anticipated challenges by President Trump to the state's civil rights, immigration and reproductive protections, and its environmental laws policies. The proclamation cites the need to defend "the assault on reproductive freedom" and access to abortion, the undoing of clean vehicle policies and other clean air and water protections, the repeal of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) that could throw the lives of hundreds of immigrants' lives in disarray, and the possible retribution against the state by withholding disaster aid - a concern that arose during Trump's first term. Newsom noted that the state filed 120 lawsuits challenging actions by Trump during his first term. (https://edsource.org/updates/newsom-calls-for-special-legislative-session-to-prepare-for-conflicts-with-president-trump) ALSO, see LA Times article, Food, Flouride and Funding - How Trump 2.0 Might Affect Health in California.

Union Plans Strike at University of California

AFSCME Local 3299, a union representing University of California service and patient care workers, has scheduled a systemwide strike for Nov. 20 and 21. The union represents about 26,000 healthcare workers and about 11,000 service workers across 10 UC campuses and five medical centers, a union spokesperson told Becker's. This includes phlebotomists, infusionists, operating room specialists, respiratory therapists, patient care assistants, pharmacy technicians, lab technicians, custodians, shuttle drivers and food service workers. The union and UC have been working to negotiate successor labor contracts for nearly a year, according to AFSCME Local 3299. (https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hr/2nd-union-plans-strike-at-u-of-california.html)

FEDERAL NEWS
Subsidies to Buy Insurance from ACA Marketplaces Set to Expire End of 2025; If Not Extended, Coverage Could Become Unaffordable for Many

Millions of Americans risk losing subsidies next year that help them pay for health insurance following President-elect Donald Trump's election win and Republicans' victory in the Senate. The subsidies - which expire at the end of 2025 - came out of the 2021 American Rescue Plan, and increased the amount of assistance available to people who want to buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. The American Rescue Plan also broadened the number of people eligible for subsidies, extending them to many in the middle class. The looming expiration date means that the incoming Congress and next president will need to decide whether to extend them. (https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/millions-risk-losing-health-insurance-trumps-victory-rcna179146)

RFK Jr Reviewing Resumes for Top Trump Health Jobs, Sources Say

Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the former independent presidential candidate, is reviewing candidate resumes for the top jobs at the U.S. government's health agencies in Donald Trump's incoming administration, a former Kennedy aide and a source familiar with the matter told Reuters. Kennedy has been asked to recommend appointees for all regulatory health agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration, said Del Bigtree, who was director of communications for Kennedy's campaign and remains close to the former candidate. (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/rfk-jr-reviewing-resumes-for-top-trump-health-jobs-sources-say/ar-AA1tLMOz) ALSO, see Roll Call's article, A look at those who could be on Trump's health team short list.

Medicare Advantage Stocks Soar Following Trump Win

Medicare Advantage insurers' stocks rallied upon news of Donald Trump's impending return to the White House, Bloomberg reported Nov. 6. Analysts expect a second Trump administration to boost rates for MA plans, Bloomberg said. The Trump administration may also be more friendly to health industry mergers, according to Bloomberg, which previously reported a potential merger between Cigna and Humana would likely move ahead only if Mr. Trump was elected. Cigna CEO David Cordani appeared to dismiss the rumored merger on an Oct. 31 earnings call, saying the company was focused on pursuing stock buybacks. (https://www.beckerspayer.com/payer/medicare-advantage-stocks-soar-following-trump-win.html)

The Reach of ACO REACH is Uncertain

While ACO REACH, Medicare's largest ACO, saved CMS $695 million in net savings in 2023, CMS hasn't committed to sustaining the Accountable Care Organization Realizing Equity, Access, and Community Health (ACO REACH) model beyond its scheduled end in 2026. According to CMS, the ACO REACH model was designed as a time-limited test to evaluate its effectiveness in improving care quality and reducing costs. The model's first performance year began on January 1, 2023, and is scheduled to conclude on December 31, 2026. (https://www.modernhealthcare.com/accountable-care/aco-reach-model-savings-extension-cms)

HEALTHCARE & TECHNOLOGY
Top 2 Healthcare AI Inventions of '24, per Time

Among the top 200 inventions of 2024, according to Time Magazine's recent list, are healthcare-related ideas. The top two artificial intelligence platforms used by health systems, according to Time are: Abridge (reducing physicians' paperwork) and Google DeepMind AlphaFold 3 (for finding cures). Becker's Health IT has published an article listing all 37 best healthcare inventions of '24, per Time. See Also: Time's The Best Inventions of 2024.

Zoom & Suki Partner to Deploy AI Clinical Documentation

Zoom is partnering with Suki to add artificial intelligence-backed clinical documentation to its offerings for healthcare organizations, the companies have announced. Zoom will use Suki's AI engine, called Suki Platform, to record conversations between clinicians and patients, and draft a note. The deal is primed for Zoom's telehealth business, but providers using Zoom for in-person care can also use the AI documentation tool, according to a Suki spokesperson. Almost 140,000 healthcare institutions across the globe use the Zoom platform, according to a press release. (https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/suki-zoom-ai-documentation-partnership/730861/)

HEALTHCARE PROVIDER & PATIENT NEWS
Amazon One Medical's 19 Health System Partners

Cleveland Clinic is the latest health system to partner with Amazon One Medical on clinically and digitally integrated care. The hybrid primary care company now has specialty care referral agreements with 19 health systems; local markets include: Providence (Renton, WA) - for Orange County, CA, and Portland, OR, markets; UC San Diego Health; and Dignity Health for their Phoenix market. (https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/digital-health/amazon-one-medicals-19-health-system-partners.html)

Young Doctors Want Work-Life Balance; Older Docs Say That's Not the Job

A question dividing the medical profession right now: Is being a doctor a job, or a calling? For decades, doctors accepted long hours and punishing schedules, believing it was their duty to sacrifice in the name of patient care. They did it knowing their colleagues prided themselves on doing the same. A newer generation of physicians is questioning that culture, at times to the chagrin of their older peers. Nearly half of doctors report feeling some burnout, according to the AMA. Work-life balance and predictable hours shouldn't be at odds with being an M.D., say doctors who are pushing against what they view as outdated expectations of overwork. In interviews with nearly two dozen physicians, many said that medicine's workaholic culture was overdue for a correction. Others said when physicians are less committed to their work, their peers and overall quality of patient care can suffer. Physicians work an average of 59 hours a week, according to the AMA, and while the profession is well-compensated - the average physician makes $350,000, a recent National Bureau of Economic Research analysis found - it comes with high pressure and emotional strain. (https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/young-doctors-want-work-life-balance-older-doctors-say-thats-not-the-job-6cb37d48)

Not All Sampled Hospitals Complied with the Hospital Price Transparency Rule

According to the OIG, only 63 of the 100 hospitals in the OIG's stratified random sample of selected hospitals made their standard charges available to the public as required by the Federal Hospital Price Transparency (HPT) Law's requirements. The balance, of 37 hospitals, did not complying with one or both of the HPT requirements associated with publishing comprehensive machine-readable files or associated with displaying shoppable services in a consumer-friendly manner. Therefore, on the basis of these sample results, the OIG estimated that 46% of the 5,879 hospitals that were required to comply with the HPT rule did not comply with the requirements to make information on their standard charges available to the public. In response, CMS has intensified enforcement efforts, issuing civil monetary penalties to non-compliant hospitals and is implementing stricter oversight measures to ensure adherence to transparency requirements. (https://oig.hhs.gov/reports/all/2024/not-all-selected-hospitals-complied-with-the-hospital-price-transparency-rule/) (https://www.modernhealthcare.com/providers/hospital-price-transparancy-compliance-oig)

AMA Calls for Tougher Oversight of Nonprofit Hospitals

The federal government should require nonprofit hospitals to justify their tax-free status with standardized charity care programs, the American Medical Association says. What exactly are the benefits of being a nonprofit hospital? ChatGPT lists 8 ways NFPs benefit over their "for profit" (tax-paying) peers:
        Nonprofit hospitals receive several key benefits due to their tax-exempt status, as they're generally required to provide community benefits in return. Here's an overview of the main advantages they enjoy:
1) Tax Exemptions: Nonprofit hospitals are exempt from federal income tax, state and local income tax, property tax, and sales tax. These exemptions save hospitals substantial funds, allowing them to reinvest in services for the community.
2) Access to Tax-Exempt Bonds: Nonprofit hospitals can finance construction and capital improvements with tax-exempt bonds, which generally carry lower interest rates than taxable bonds, reducing their borrowing costs.
3) Reduced Operating Costs: With tax exemptions, nonprofits avoid many expenses associated with tax obligations, potentially allowing them to allocate more funds toward patient care, community programs, or facility improvements.
4) Philanthropic Donations: Nonprofit hospitals can accept charitable donations, which may come from individuals, foundations, and corporations. These donations are often tax-deductible for the donors, providing an incentive to contribute.
5) Government Grants and Funding: Nonprofit hospitals may be eligible for federal and state grants or other types of funding that are not available to for-profit institutions, which can help fund research, community health programs, and other initiatives.
6) Medicare and Medicaid DSH Payments: Many nonprofit hospitals serve low-income communities, making them eligible for Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments from Medicare and Medicaid, which help cover the costs of treating uninsured and underinsured patients.
7) Enhanced Community Trust and Support: Nonprofit hospitals often enjoy strong community support, as they are seen as dedicated to public health rather than profit. This trust can lead to better relationships with patients, support from local governments, and an easier time recruiting healthcare providers.
8) Training Programs and Partnerships: Some nonprofits receive government support or other assistance for running training programs for healthcare providers, which can improve staff quality and hospital operations. (https://www.modernhealthcare.com/policy/ama-american-medical-association-prior-authorization-charity-careand and ChatGPT)

Bariatric Surgeries Plunge in GLP-1 Era: New Study

Between 2022 and 2023, prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs soared 132.6% while bariatric surgery rates fell 25.6%, according to a new study from researchers at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital. The findings offer a clearer picture of how the growing popularity of GLP-1 weight loss drugs is affecting demand for bariatric surgeries, which have long been the gold standard treatments for weight loss. Also notable, among the patients with obesity, nearly 95% did not receive either form of treatment, underscoring widespread access challenges, researchers said. (https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/glp-1s/bariatric-surgeries-plunge-in-glp-1-era-new-study.html)

Sickest Patients Are Fleeing MA Plans - Costing Taxpayers Billions

A Wall Street Journal analysis of Medicare data found a pattern of Medicare Advantage's sickest patients dropping their privately-run coverage just as their health needs soared. Many made the switch after running into problems getting their care covered. Plans run by the private insurers in the MA system are supposed to offer old and disabled people the same benefits they would get from traditional Medicare. The plans can be a bargain for people because they limit out-of-pocket expenses and often offer extra benefits such as dental care. Yet, as recipients get sicker, they may have more difficulty accessing services than people with traditional Medicare. That's because the insurers actively manage the care, including requiring patients to get approval for certain services and limit which hospitals and doctors patients can use. People in the final year of their lives left MA for traditional Medicare at double the rate of other enrollees from 2016 to 2022, the Journal's analysis found. Those private-plan dropouts - 300,075 during that time span - often had long hospital and nursing-home stays after they left, running up large bills that taxpayers, not their former insurers, had to pay. (https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/medicare-private-plans-insurers-389af1a0)

twitter
twitter
youtube
LinkedIn
Link
Copyright © 2024 Adaptive Business Leaders Organization. All Rights Reserved.