March 14, 2024

You look away for a just a moment, and . . .

Meanwhile, as we're mesmerized by the geopolitical or economic shiny object du jour, health care giant UnitedHealth Group's subsidiary, Change Healthcare, is dealing with what is now called the most significant health care cyberattack in U.S. history. (One in every three health care claims in the U.S. are processed by Change Healthcare.) So far, it has paid $22 million in bitcoin ransom in an attempt to restore data since the February 21 attack.

Granted, there's little (read: nothing) you and I can do as individuals to stop these attacks or even to get policy makers or stakeholders to provide adequate security for our personal health care information. However, we CAN maintain our own digital and print records of crucial health care information. In an emergency or when seeing a new provider, you may be the only one with access to your medical history, current medications and existing conditions. Don't mess around--write it down. 

Change Healthcare cyberattack jeopardizes medical data

March 6, 2024

Two minute read: Ageism. It isn't just for seniors.

Medicine has come a long way over the past 20 years--a really long way. But it can't seem to get ahead of rising cancer rates for younger folks. That's right, those under 50 are at a greater risk for getting a cancer diagnosis than ever before. This is some scary stuff.

Cancer stats are going the wrong direction.

February 19, 2024

Two-minute read: I see dead people.

I know, I know, you don't want to think about death and dying. Few people do. But understanding trends gives us another peek at why we are short health care workers. Really.

Why so many obits these days?

February 5, 2024

Two-minute read - Just do it, already!

I totally get that going to the doctor is high on your list of Stuff I Don't Love To Do. But besides possibly spotting an issue that bears watching, there's another reason to see your physician at least once a year. Even if you feel fine. Even if you don't want to.

Annual exams: Can you guess the head fake?

January 2, 2024

Why it's important to look beyond the headline

Iowa's Governor Kim Reynolds is bragging that Iowa has been ranked second in the nation for having the best health care system. Oh, that it were so.

The source: WalletHub. (What?) That head-shaker aside, when you look at WalletHub's methodology, you see it includes the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data on Health Professional Shortages Areas (HPSAs).

So here's a look at WalletHub's methodology:

The real story behind the press release of January 2, 2024

December 6, 2023

Two-minute read - Why we need data geeks

Census data on its own can be overwhelming, and, admittedly, meaningless. But if we put the pencil to those numbers and reduce them to simple ratios, they explain our current and future health care workers shortages.

Dependency Ratios and the Caregiver Support Ratio

November 20, 2023

2-Minute Read No.1 - Three more doctors is a start--sort of

Senator Chuck Grassley recently announced that Iowa has secured three more Medicare-funded residencies as part of the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which was signed into law in December 2020 (note how quickly solutions get implemented). 

Here's the backstory on that: 

Jo's 2-Minute Read on how Congress is addressing physician shortages

November 2, 2023

Planning to talk about making a plan is not really a plan, now is it?

The CMS proposal for maximum patient-to-staff nursing home ratios is not the solution to health care worker shortages. At the same time, with Iowa losing 26 nursing homes over the past 15 months and a moratorium on any new facilities, Governor Reynolds' plan to "enter into a genuine state-federal dialogue" is not really a plan either, is it? (And you can bet that similar ratio regs for hospitals are not far behind.)

If the current level of proactive leadership in addressing this crisis of health care access continues, Iowans are so monumentally screwed.

Iowa Capital Dispatch: CMS regulating nursing home staff ratios

October 21, 2023

For the love of God, take the day off.

Ted Lasso reminded us that the happiest creature on Earth is the goldfish. It has a ten second memory.

Today, enjoy nature's awesome Fall palette, give yourself a break, and be a goldfish. 😀

October 11, 2023

Shocking but not surprising

AARP "scorecard" reveals Iowa is woefully inadequate in keeping our seniors safe and independent: 1) too little home-based care; 2) too expensive home-based care; 3) inadequate adult day services; and 4) no access to alternatives to traditional long-term care facilities.

Not to worry, leaders at the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services "understand" and "are working to find solutions." Well, then, it's handled.

New AARP Scorecard on Iowa's seniors

October 9, 2023

What is the measure of a health care crisis?

If you've journeyed into the health care system recently, you know things are not as they used to be. Do you question why demand for health care services seems so high? Or wonder where all the health care workers have disappeared to?

I have some hard data and facts to share with you that will knock your socks off. Based on a true story. 

Jo's "Iowa Voice" on the looming crisis of access

September 22, 2023

You just never know where inspiration will spring from . . .

What topic does nobody want to talk about? Some time in the future when one may no longer be compos mentis. 

Taking the time and opportunity to delegate decision making authority to someone you trust is being responsible. It is, indeed, the only way to preserve your autonomy as a person--or patient.       

Let's ask Jo! She'll know! (No. 14 - Diane Feinstein's teachable moment

September 7, 2023

When oversight is under-regulated

If you think all home care agencies are equally created and regulated, think again. What does it take to be an engaged health care consumer while preserving patient safety?

Let's ask Jo! She'll know! (No. 13 - Home care can be hazardous to your health!

September 2, 2023

Why didn't I think of that?

Leave it to the federal government to come up with a perfect solution for the health care worker shortages:  mandated staff ratios. If I understand this correctly, they want to force Medicare-certified nursing homes to hire a minimum number of staff members per patient from the shrinking pool of workers. You know, the vanishing workforce that has caused the staff-to-patient ratios to be dangerously low in the first place. Brilliant.

Mandated staff ratios for nursing homes - September 1, 2023

Ask the Minnesota legislators how that idea worked out when they tried it on hospitals. 

August 24, 2023

Is Iowa exhibiting the symptoms of Brain Drain?

When Brain Drain strikes, our ability to attract sufficient numbers of highly skilled workers is directly impacted. In health care, a Brain Drain risks access and safety for health care consumers of all ages.      

Let's ask Jo! She'll know! (No. 12 - Does Iowa have a case of Brain Drain?)