Healthcare and Insurance

CDC panel recommends elderly, healthcare workers receive COVID-19 vaccine priority

A resounding consensus on which groups should receive the first doses of a new COVID-19 vaccine has been determined after a vote from CDC panel on Tuesday. The panel consists of 15 voting members responsible for making vaccine recommendations and… more

Stormont Vail implements hourly wage raise

Stormont Vail Health says it is increasing the minimum wage for all team members to $15 an hour effective Nov. 29. It said the new Wellpower Wage will help over 800 of its employees. “As a population health organization, we… more

Coping with COVID: Missouri, Kansas vaccination distribution plans to serve healthcare workers first

Established statewide plans for how the first COVID-19 vaccine will be distributed reveals healthcare workers will be the first to receive the shot, both in Missouri and Kansas. Although a viable COVID-19 vaccine has not yet been released to the… more

Coping with COVID: Moderna prepares to apply for FDA authorization of COVID-19 vaccine today

Following the lead of Pfizer, Moderna will now be the second company to submit its COVID-19 vaccine for approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Massachusetts-based biotechnology company has since finished its Phase 3 trials and said it… more

EHR platform provides free telehealth to rural residents

Rural hospitals and residents are facing a problem few people living in urban and suburban areas experience: ready access to healthcare. While COVID-19 has made travel and in-person appointments more difficult, emerging tech-based solutions and a growing popularity in telehealth… more

Demand for COVID-19 testing doubles at KU lab

A Monday Media briefing from the University of Kansas Health System revealed a non-surprising trend descending on its facilities and others in the region, reporting a new record number of COVID-19 patients are being treated at KU. The health system… more

Missouri launches website in preparation for vaccine arrival

As research and development of multiple COVID-19 vaccines continue to show promising safety and effectiveness findings, Governor Mike Parson today announced the launch of a new vaccine website for Missouri residents.  MOStopsCOVID.com provides Missourians with information regarding the safety of the… more

Regional hospitals experience resource strain

Earlier this week, two regional hospital systems saw a new record high in the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients being treated at their facilities. Stormont Vail Health reached 100 COVID-19 patients Tuesday according to its COVID-19 Scorecard, following just a… more

Stormont Vail seeks emergency staffing, resources from state

Topeka’s Stormont Vail said they have requested emergency staffing assistance from the state, as the surge in COVID-19 cases in the community continues to impact its health care workers. Matt Lara, Public Relations Specialist for the hospital said, “Stormont Vail… more

Coping with COVID: TMC/ University Health among first in metro to use FDA-approved COVID-19 drug

Truman Medical Center/University Health has confirmed that's it among the first health care providers in the Kansas City area to administer bamlanivimab. Authorization for the drug was approved for those with a mild to moderate case of COVID-19 and aims… more