Most C-level leaders working in healthcare believe the COVID-19 crisis will come to a close. However, they’re sharply divided over timing.  

Maine has topped all states in two separate five-year categories of hospital safety—percentage of “A” grade hospitals (57.1%) and average annual placement in these rankings (3.63). How did your state do?

Medscape surveyed 3,003 women physicians in March and April with questions suggested by a panel of women physicians. The theme was “issues you care about.” Here are some highlights in the findings, released July 15.

Reports are arriving of filled hospitals turning away transfers, backlogged ambulances waiting hours to transport patients and shorthanded staffs appealing for relief workers.

Supply is suffering as hospitals continue to cope with COVID above all else. Demand is down due to patients’ reticence to risk nonemergency care. And the unease isn’t just about economics.  

One point of easier-than-normal entry is nonclinical employees working from home. Another is providers’ weakened state. Many are strapped for cash and, as a result, stretching resources.

Their public plea comes amid spikes in coronavirus cases in states such as Texas and Florida, with residents in both recently filing lawsuits to quash government mask mandates. 

One billion of the total will go toward specialty rural hospitals, urban hospitals with certain rural Medicare designations and providers in small metropolitan areas, the administration announced recently.