Houston hospitals, already losing money by the tens of millions of dollars, are bracing for more losses and a tougher financial future following the latest order from Gov. Greg Abbott barring some elective procedures in , including Harris County.While health care systems are hesitant to project revenues, they said their hospitals have been shaken by restrictions on which surgeries and scheduled procedures can proceed, the expenses of caring for those afflicted with COVID-19 and ongoing loss of patients who have delayed check-ups and other care out of fear of contracting the virus.“Like most...…Houston hospitals, already losing money by the tens of millions of dollars, are bracing for more losses and a tougher financial future following the latest order from Gov. Greg Abbott barring some elective procedures in , including Harris County.While health care systems are hesitant to project revenues, they said their hospitals have been shaken by restrictions on which surgeries and scheduled procedures can proceed, the expenses of caring for those afflicted with COVID-19 and ongoing loss of patients who have delayed check-ups and other care out of fear of contracting the virus.“Like most...WW…

Expanding Medicaid in Texas could bring as much as $5.4 billion federal dollars into the state and enroll nearly 1 million more people in the federal safety-net insurance program, according to a new study by Texas A&M researchers.Health policy experts said Medicaid expansion would help drive down the state’s , which was the highest nationwide at 18.4 percent in 2019, according to U.S. Census Bureau.The study estimates that roughly 1.2 million Texans would qualify if the state Legislature to include low-income individuals who make 138 percent or less of the federal poverty line. To...…Expanding Medicaid in Texas could bring as much as $5.4 billion federal dollars into the state and enroll nearly 1 million more people in the federal safety-net insurance program, according to a new study by Texas A&M researchers.Health policy experts said Medicaid expansion would help drive down the state’s , which was the highest nationwide at 18.4 percent in 2019, according to U.S. Census Bureau.The study estimates that roughly 1.2 million Texans would qualify if the state Legislature to include low-income individuals who make 138 percent or less of the federal poverty line. To...WW…

An estimated 1.6 million Texans are uninsured after losing their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report from the Kaiser Family Foundation, a San Francisco-based health policy think tank.About 20 percent, or 328,000 people, qualify for Medicaid. Roughly 55 percent, or 881,000 people, could receive government subsidies for health insurance plans from the Affordable Care Act marketplace.Across the U.S., an estimated 26.7 million employees lost health insurance benefits as the economic downturn forced companies to lay off workers, according to Kaiser Family Foundation...…An estimated 1.6 million Texans are uninsured after losing their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report from the Kaiser Family Foundation, a San Francisco-based health policy think tank.About 20 percent, or 328,000 people, qualify for Medicaid. Roughly 55 percent, or 881,000 people, could receive government subsidies for health insurance plans from the Affordable Care Act marketplace.Across the U.S., an estimated 26.7 million employees lost health insurance benefits as the economic downturn forced companies to lay off workers, according to Kaiser Family Foundation...WW…

Several companies say they have developed COVID-19 tests that people can use at home, but the Food and Drug Administration is blocking them from the market over concerns that they won’t be administered accurately.At least four companies, including Everlywell of Austin, recently said they would sell at-home testing kits that use virtual doctor visits and online screening quizzes to determine test eligibility. But just days later, the FDA issued guidance barring the distribution of test kits to consumers.Although the testing technology was approved under federal emergency use authorization,...…Several companies say they have developed COVID-19 tests that people can use at home, but the Food and Drug Administration is blocking them from the market over concerns that they won’t be administered accurately.At least four companies, including Everlywell of Austin, recently said they would sell at-home testing kits that use virtual doctor visits and online screening quizzes to determine test eligibility. But just days later, the FDA issued guidance barring the distribution of test kits to consumers.Although the testing technology was approved under federal emergency use authorization,...WW…

Four out of five Houston Methodist employees are . The sliver who are not will be suspended or fired if they refuse the shot, according to company policy.The hospital required managers to be vaccinated by April 15 and all other employees — about 26,000 workers in total — by June 7, said Stefanie Asin, a Houston Methodist spokesperson.With 84 percent of the staff vaccinated, the hospital is close to herd immunity, CEO Marc Boom wrote in a letter to employees this month.“As health care workers we’ve taken a sacred oath to do everything possible to keep our patients safe and healthy — this...…Four out of five Houston Methodist employees are . The sliver who are not will be suspended or fired if they refuse the shot, according to company policy.The hospital required managers to be vaccinated by April 15 and all other employees — about 26,000 workers in total — by June 7, said Stefanie Asin, a Houston Methodist spokesperson.With 84 percent of the staff vaccinated, the hospital is close to herd immunity, CEO Marc Boom wrote in a letter to employees this month.“As health care workers we’ve taken a sacred oath to do everything possible to keep our patients safe and healthy — this...WW…

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigateHarris County has seen more than 300 carbon monoxide poisoning cases as temperatures bottomed out Monday in Houston and the state’s electricity grid failed, sending people scrambling for heat sources. That includes 90 carbon monoxide poisoning calls to the Houston Fire Department and 100 cases in Memorial Hermann's emergency rooms.Many of the cases stem from people using BBQ pits and generators indoors to stay warm, said Drew Munhausen, a Memorial Hermann spokesperson. Doctors are treating 60 of those cases at the hospital’s Texas...…This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigateHarris County has seen more than 300 carbon monoxide poisoning cases as temperatures bottomed out Monday in Houston and the state’s electricity grid failed, sending people scrambling for heat sources. That includes 90 carbon monoxide poisoning calls to the Houston Fire Department and 100 cases in Memorial Hermann's emergency rooms.Many of the cases stem from people using BBQ pits and generators indoors to stay warm, said Drew Munhausen, a Memorial Hermann spokesperson. Doctors are treating 60 of those cases at the hospital’s Texas...WW…

Roughly 65,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas members will lose in-network access to CHI's Texas locations, including its flagship Baylor-St. Luke’s Medical Center, by the end of Wednesday as negotiations stall in a dispute over health care costs.The hospital network and insurer announced in October that they would part ways. CHI St. Luke’s CEO Doug Lawson said at the time that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, along with another insurance carrier, Molina, were paying the hospital system "significantly" less than its competitors for the same services.“Our goal throughout these negotiations...…Roughly 65,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas members will lose in-network access to CHI's Texas locations, including its flagship Baylor-St. Luke’s Medical Center, by the end of Wednesday as negotiations stall in a dispute over health care costs.The hospital network and insurer announced in October that they would part ways. CHI St. Luke’s CEO Doug Lawson said at the time that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, along with another insurance carrier, Molina, were paying the hospital system "significantly" less than its competitors for the same services.“Our goal throughout these negotiations...WW…

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigateHouston leaders are calling for another two-week shutdown as dozens of Army personnel are set to arrive Monday to help fight a virus that continues to set record hospitalizations and deaths in the Texas Medical Center.Mayor Sylvester Turner said it’s time for the city of Houston to “step back,” as regional cases rose to 63,864 on Sunday — up 1,596 from the day before. There have been 646 deaths in the Houston area. Positive results are coming back for about 16 percent of Texas test-takers.“Let’s look at the numbers, look at the...…This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigateHouston leaders are calling for another two-week shutdown as dozens of Army personnel are set to arrive Monday to help fight a virus that continues to set record hospitalizations and deaths in the Texas Medical Center.Mayor Sylvester Turner said it’s time for the city of Houston to “step back,” as regional cases rose to 63,864 on Sunday — up 1,596 from the day before. There have been 646 deaths in the Houston area. Positive results are coming back for about 16 percent of Texas test-takers.“Let’s look at the numbers, look at the...WW…