IHA Daily Briefing: April 6

Medical Solutions, WWHS Answer Questions on Immigrant Visa Pause
Federal government policies pausing immigrant visas took effect in January, with workers from 69 of the 75 impacted countries accounting for 8% of the U.S. healthcare workforce. Amid the uncertainty, a Q&A with the director of legal services at WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions (WWHS), a Medical Solutions company, addresses what the pause and visa restrictions mean for international clinician hiring and workforce planning.

WWHS' Ann-Rose Johnson-Lewis noted the policies are temporary and do not affect all countries. In a Medical Solutions blog pos t, she delineated two tracks: national security-related travel and visa restrictions and the pause on issuing immigrant visas while the government reviews public benefits policies.

"Each has different rules and implications, which is why there is so much confusion right now. For clinicians from impacted countries, we may see delays in visa issuance and arrival timelines," Johnson-Lewis said. "Some candidates will be able to complete steps in the process but will not receive a visa until the pause is lifted or modified. How long that takes can vary based on the country, visa category and individual circumstances."

International clinicians are critical to care delivery, particularly in rural and underserved communities, Johnson-Lewis said. Flexibility and informed planning are essential for healthcare employers, who may need to adjust timelines for some candidates while continuing to move forward with others.

Contact Jake Whitmore at 402-446-3799 or [email protected] to learn how Medical Solutions, an IHA Strategic Partner since 2018, and WWHS can support your long-term workforce planning, including international clinicians.

Staff contact: Gary Drain

RHIhub: Chronic Disease in Rural America
The Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub) has released an updated topic guide on chronic disease in rural areas. The guide shares nonmetro versus metro chronic disease prevalence and mortality data; information on factors that contribute to chronic disease rates for rural people; and resources and programs about chronic disease management for individuals, healthcare systems, and providers. It also highlights six specific chronic conditions with a focus on prevention and treatment information, including heart disease and stroke, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, HIV/AIDs, arthritis, and obesity.

Recall Impacts Over 3.1 Million Eye Drop Products
A California pharmaceutical company is recalling over 3 million bottles of eye drops distributed nationwide. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports K.C. Pharmaceuticals, Inc. voluntarily recalled various eye drop products across several different labels and sizes that are distributed across the country. The stated reason for the recall is a "lack of assurance of sterility" in the products. FDA has classified this as a Class II recall, meaning exposure to the product could cause temporary or medically reversible health problems. The eye drops were distributed by companies such as Kroger, Walgreens, H-E-B, Military Exchanges and others.

The Infectious Respiratory Disease Surveillance Dashboard from the Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) provides the latest data on hospital visits, seasonal trends, lab test positivity and demographic data. IDPH also tracks COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus information through the Illinois Wastewater Surveillance System dashboard.

Briefly Noted

Leading the News

340B is not a problem to be solved, but a promise to be kept and secured

Becker's Hospital Review

Catholic healthcare was not started nor inspired from profit and loss statements or a desire to drive more shareholder value. Instead, through acts of mercy, women religious crossed oceans on rudimentary vessels and traveled along dirt roads by horse-drawn carriage, overcoming religious discrimination and language barriers to care for those who otherwise would have gone without. In the Franciscan tradition, this ministry has always been guided by what is oftentimes viewed as radical commitment to poverty, humility, and solidarity with the poor and joyful service. These values, rooted in the Gospel, have been lived out in rural and underserved communities for centuries.

BJC executives: Key questions shaping value-based care strategy

Becker's Hospital Review

St. Louis-based BJC Health System approaches value-based care not as a single model, but as a continuum that requires alignment across clinical, operational and financial teams.

Illinois conversion therapy ban intact after Supreme Court ruling, though advocates wary of future challenges

Chicago Sun-Times

Last week the Supreme Court ruled against a law banning "conversion therapy" for LGBTQ+ kids in Colorado, one of 23 states - including Illinois - that ban the discredited practice. Illinois' ban remains intact, but could be open to future challenges in the wake of the decision.

West Suburban closure exposes cracks in hospital oversight

Crain's Chicago Business

Resilience Healthcare's CEO says a billing glitch that no one else could diagnose starved West Suburban Medical Center of revenue for a year, forcing the temporary closure of the Oak Park hospital. But state officials paint a different picture: a company that refused millions in aid while its revenues disappeared, owed more than $50 million in back taxes and was "unable and unwilling" to do what was necessary to keep the hospital open. The closure of the third and final surviving Chicago-area hospital formerly owned by private equity-backed Pipeline Health raises questions about oversight of hospital acquisitions and whether the state did enough to protect vulnerable communities.