What We’re Reading: Health Care Worker Shortages; Medicaid Eligibility Renewal; Train Clinic for Ohio

Bipartisan Efforts Addresses Health Care Worker Shortages

Among a divided Congress, both Democrats and Republicans acknowledged health care worker shortages is a problem across the board in the first hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Kaiser Health News reported. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, cited nearly 100 million Americans living without access to a primary care physician. While none of the senators at the hearing disagreed that too many health care professionals are exiting the field and that there are not enough medical graduates to replace them, some Republicans condemned what they called government health care interference.

More than 60% of Adults Unaware of Their Medicaid Eligibility

A recent survey found that nearly 64.3% of Medicaid beneficiaries were not aware of an upcoming renewal process, with an April 1, 2023, deadline, according to Fierce Healthcare. After 3 years, the ending of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) requires states to redetermine Medicaid eligibility for each beneficiary. However, uncertainty about when the PHE is ending and states failing to inform people of this change has left many eligible Medicaid beneficiaries in the dark.

Ohio Sets Up Health Clinics for Residents Near the Toxic Train Wreck

Ohio plans to open up health clinics in East Palestine on Tuesday, for residents concerned over possible health dangers stemming from the train derailment earlier this month, according to CNN. While state officials assured residents that the water and air in East Palestine was safe, reports of rashes, nausea, and headaches has provoked growing concerns of people being exposed to deadly chemicals and toxins. Since the derailment, the Biden administration has deployed health experts to assess any remaining dangers after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine requested help from the CDC and HHS.