Federal News Network brings us up to date on fiscal year 2020 appropriations issues —
- The House of Representatives passed a resolution that funds the government into the new fiscal year until November 21, 2019. The Senate is expected to pass the same resolution next week
- The Senate Appropriations Committee approved its FY 2020 financial services and general government bill unanimously. The bill and the resolution provide additional funding to OPM which will lose background check revenue when that service fully transfers to the Defense Department on October 1, 2019.
Despite the hype surrounding the importance of social determinants of health, just a quarter of hospitals and 16% of physician practices screen patients for social needs that affect health outcomes, according to a JAMA study published Wednesday.
The JAMA study concludes
Although across stakeholders there is swelling momentum for addressing social needs, our study findings suggest that most physician practices and hospitals are not screening across 5 key social needs associated with health outcomes. We found that organizations participating in payment reform models were more likely to screen, and that organizations that do not screen reported misaligned incentives as a major barrier to innovations in care delivery. We believe systematic use of screening is a required first step to attend to social needs and improve health; addressing resource barriers, such as time, information, and money, may be a key element in supporting physicians and hospitals in efforts to screen patients for social needs.
Rome, of course, was not built in a day.
On the public health front
- The New York Times informs us about the Centers for Disease Control’s latest weekly report on the vaping crisis.
The C.D.C. provided the first demographic snapshot of the afflicted: Nearly three-quarters [of the 580 afflicted people] are male, two-thirds between 18 and 34. Sixteen percent are 18 or younger. “More than half of cases are under 25 years of age,” Dr. [Anne] Schuchat [of the C.D.C.] said. Illnesses have now been reported in 38 states, and one United States territory.
A 4-year-old child from Perris [CA] who recently died tested positive for influenza, health officials said today. The child had underlying health issues and passed away at a medical facility outside of the county.
It is considered the first pediatric flu-associated death of this flu season (2019-20) in Riverside County. There were nine flu-associated deaths in 2018-2019, and 23 during 2017-2018.
According to Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County Public Health Officer, the child’s death is a tragic reminder of how deadly influenza can be.
“We should never forget that the flu still kills,” Kaiser said. “I always recommend people get their flu shots every year, but a death so early in the flu season suggests this year may be worse than usual. Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones who are grieving.”
It is not too early to get a flu shot, Kaiser said, adding that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend all persons 6 months of age and older receive a flu vaccination each year, and many providers have this year’s shot already in stock. Children 8 years old and under who haven’t received at least two flu shots in prior seasons may need two shots to be fully protected; consult your primary care provider.