Healthcare and Insurance

Unemployment Rate Hits 14.7 Percent

The unemployment rate hit 14.7 percent in April after non-farm payroll fell by 20.5 million throughout the month, reported the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics. Unemployment rose by 10.3 percent, following several months of record-breaking strong employment numbers. The 20.5… more

Most Pools Likely Closed Over Summer

It looks like most public pools in the Kansas City area will be closed this summer. Prairie Village and Roeland Park have both opted to go that route, while Kansas City, Mo., and Overland Park seem to be considering a… more

U.S. Hospitals Losing More Than $50B Per Month

A new report by the American Hospital Association says that between March and the end of June, hospitals are projected to lose $202.6 billion, or an average of $50.7 billion per month, due to COVID-19 challenges. "These challenges have created… more

Eastern Jackson County Releases Recovery Phase One

Jackson County government has released its phase-one recovery plan for the eastern part of the jurisdiction. Starting on May 11, retail stores will be able to reopen at 25 percent occupancy for store under 10,000 square feet and larger ones… more

KC Life’s Quarterly Income Drops

Kansas City Life Insurance Co. reported a net income of $150,000 during its second quarter, down from a gain of just more than $4 million over the prior financial period. Year over year during the second quarter, net investments were… more

Proposed Legislation Would Forgive Healthcare-Worker Student Loans

A new bill in the House of Representatives would forgive student loans for healthcare workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Called the Student Loan Forgiveness for Frontline Health Workers Act, it was introduced to the House by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.)… more

HHS Starts Distributing $10B to Rural Hospitals

The Department of Health and Human Services has started distributing COVID-19-relief funds to hospitals, and a big chunk of that is going to be given to rural hospitals that could soon be hit hard by the pandemic. Those facilities, which… more

Q&A With … Greg Callahan of CBIZ

Greg Callahan is a health-benefits consultant and strategist for CBIZ in Kansas City, Mo. Q. There’s a lot still to play out with respect to how the current COVID-19 crisis will impact health-care insurance, and particularly the coverage offered by… more

Concern About a New COVID-19 Strain

A new strain of COVID-19 that is believed to have started in Europe in February and is considered highly contagious is spreading throughout the United States, according to a new study. It shows a similarity to influenza in that it… more

About 17% at Triumph Foods’ St. Joe Plant COVID-19 Positive

About 17 percent of the 2,700-strong workforce at Triumph Foods pork plant in St. Joseph have tested positive for COVID-19. Of those that tested positive, about 90 percent of the workers were asymptomatic, said Triumph CEO Mark Campbell.  "Those with… more