Kaiser Workers Approve Strike, Medicare Advantage Plans Rank Well
Southern California healthcare workers approve a strike, ONC aims to build on data interoperability, and Medicare advantage plans enhance their ratings.
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By - In Southern California, Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers have overwhelmingly approved a strike during a recent vote. If negotiations fail, staffing shortages could ensue. A Class I FDA recall was issued for remote-controlled insulin pumps following concerns with the security of certain devices and the possibility of cybersecurity attacks.
Meanwhile, the ONC has launched a new initiative that looks to enhance data interoperability for CMS programs and federal partners. CMS has also released impressive star ratings for Medicare Advantage contracts, with many contracts improving their scores. And, Arizona State University has received funding for a program that intends to continue the work of addressing social determinants of health in a local Latinx community.
Kaiser Permanente Healthcare Workers Unanimously Approve Strike
21,000 Kaiser Permanente employees working in Southern California have unanimously voted to approve a strike. After the September 30th expiration of a union contract, no agreement was made between union representatives and Kaiser’s negotiators. This vote comes on the heels of several other strikes around the nation, where healthcare workers are experiencing burnout after nearly two years of pandemic tribulations.
Union representatives speaking on behalf of the Southern California healthcare professionals argued for more staffing, worker retention, and a rejection of Kaiser’s proposed pay scale that would compensate new staff at lower rates. Bargaining continues this week in the hopes that an agreement will be made soon, avoiding a strike. READ MORE.
ONC Launches Interoperability Initiative
A new initiative to improve data interoperability was introduced Friday by The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The initiative will enhance current United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI+) by helping to identify interoperable datasets.
USDCI+ builds on existing data to encourage collaboration between health IT professionals, federal partners, and government programs. By standardizing datasets and aligning data, the USDCI+ intends to harmonize the healthcare IT industry over time. READ MORE.
FDA Recalls Insulin Pump Controller
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is recalling Medtronic MiniMed remote controllers after it was discovered that the devices were vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks. Medtronic initially instructed consumers to disable the remote use features in 2018 but did not issue a full recall for the product. After further review, the company issued a class I recall for all remote controllers to avoid any cybersecurity attacks that could have resulted in serious harm to health. So far there have been no reports of attacks on the MiniMed remote controllers. READ MORE.
Arizona State University Grant for Fighting Chronic Diseases
Arizona State University was awarded $3.3 million from The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases to fight chronic diseases in Latinx communities. The grant will be used to continue work in the local community that has addressed a lack of access to care and low health literacy. With reinvigorated funding, program staff intend to expand care from young adults to whole families. READ MORE.
Medicare Advantage Contracts Receive Top Marks
CMS announced that 87 contracts received five-star ratings on the 2022 Medicare Advantage Star Ratings. Of all contracts, 94.26 percent received 3.5 stars or more as opposed to 2019 when 78.72 percent of plans received the same marks. The largest improvements were seen in Medicare Advantage-prescription drug plans and special needs plans while osteoporosis management experienced a major decline. READ MORE.
