POLITICAL:

The Biden administration is making some of its most substantial shifts in healthcare to date by expanding who has access to Medicaid. The move—funded in part by the COVID relief bill—is hailed by patient advocates.

SOCIAL:

Health startups focusing on serving the unique needs of the LGBTQ+ population have raised $39 million in funding since 2020. This is growing number of startups will ideally address the discrimination and subpar healthcare LGBTQ+ individuals often receive due to their identities.

ENVIRONMENTAL:

The healthcare industry’s carbon footprint has increased by 40% since 1990. Supply chain and vendors play a big role in that, as does the pharma industry. Healthcare systems can and should leverage their buying power to encourage environmentally friendly practices.

Walmart announced they will provide a private-label version of insulin to customers. Their new product will better fit into the budget of millions of Americans.

Professional Development:

What you can’t do: fix your employees’ existential crisis. What you can do: help alleviate it. Harvard Business Review has some tips on how to do so.

ECONOMIC:

The COVID-19 pandemic’s devastating economic impact on the healthcare industry has aided the trend of most physicians being employed by hospital systems or corporations, and the increasing rarity of independent physicians.

TECHNOLOGY:

Ransomware attacks are on the rise across the U.S., and healthcare organizations are often targeted. Sky Lakes Medical Center was the victim of such a ransomware attack, but they were able to restore operations without paying the ransom. Learning from their strategy may help other organizations create policies that will result in similar best-case results.

LEGAL:

Health systems and their unionized employees have been at odds throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare labor unions continue to organize strikes across the country, leveraging the fact that many systems turned profits while receiving federal bailout funds.