Health care
BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
Millions lose Medicaid since April 2023 Over 2 million Texans have lost health care coverage since the state began reviewing Medicaid eligibility in April 2023, including 1.3 million children—more people than the entire population of San Antonio. During the height of the pandemic, nearly 6 million Texans had consistent access to health care through Medicaid, as federal regulations kept states from stripping coverage. The takeaway The state- and federally funded program provides health insurance for low-income Texans, including children, people with disabilities and seniors. Texas has removed more children from Medicaid than any other state, according to a Georgetown University report. The Department of Veterans A airs will soon expand its in vitro fertilization, or IVF, care to eligible unmarried veterans and veterans in same-sex marriages, according to a news release. The context The expansion of care is part of the VA’s e orts to support veterans who are seeking to grow their families. According to a Demographic Study completed by the Texas Workforce Investment Council in 2021, veterans make up 6.7% of the Texas population. Under existing law, all veterans who receive IVF from the VA must be unable to procreate without the use of fertility treatment due to a health condi- tion caused by their military service. The VA was previously only allowed to provide IVF services to veterans who were legally married and—within that relationship—able to produce their own eggs and sperm, according to a news release. Veterans enrolled in VA health care are eligible for a range of reproductive health care services. What they’re saying VA Secretary Denis McDonough said she is proud VA will soon o er in vitro fertilization to veterans
New CEO in place at Methodist Northeast Jerrica George assumed the role of CEO of Methodist Hospital Northeast on May 15. In April, former CEO Michael Beaver became the CEO of Methodist Hospital Stone Oak. The details According to a May 6 news release, George brings 14 years of experience to the hospital, previously serving as the chief operating o - cer for Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas. Throughout her career, George has served as COO at HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe, Summerlin Hospital and Centennial Hills Hospital.
The Department of Veterans A airs o ers a range of infertility services such as:
Infertility assessments, counseling Laboratory tests, including genetic counseling and testing
2P Ultrasounds, X-rays Hormone therapies Surgical corrections Fertility medications Arti cial insemination Tubal ligation reversal Vasectomy reversal Oocyte cryopreservation (egg freezing) and sperm cryopreservation Sperm retrieval techniques (including sperm washing for intrauterine insemination)
the VA will soon help more veterans raise families. “This expansion of care has long been a priority for us, and we are working urgently to make sure that eligible unmarried veterans, veterans in same-sex marriages and veterans who need donors will have access to IVF in every part of the country as soon as possible,” McDonough said in a news release.
"I look forward to collaborating with the dedicated and highly skilled colleagues and physicians as we lead the way into the future." JERRICA GEORGE, CEO OF METHODIST HOSPITAL NORTHEAST
8 San Antonio hospitals graded ‘A’ for safety A national health care safety watchdog organiza- tion gave eight San Antonio-area hospitals a grade of A for their e orts to maintain patient safety. The background The Leapfrog Group, an independent nonpro t organization based in Washington, D.C., on May 1 released its spring hospital grades. The nonpro t reviewed nearly 3,000 U.S. general hospitals on how well they prevent medical errors, accidents and infections using a set of measure- ments based on patient reports. According to a news release, the Leapfrog Group found signs of improvement since last fall’s safety grades, and preventable health care-associated infections showed a drop following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reviewing 15 San Antonio and New Braunfels general hospitals for this spring, the Leapfrog
Hospital ratings
• Methodist Hospital • University Health • Methodist Hospital Northeast • Methodist Hospital Texsan • Methodist Hospital Metropolitan • Methodist Specialty & Transplant Hospital
A
• Baptist Medical Center • Northeast Baptist Hospital • St. Luke’s Baptist Hospital • Mission Trail Baptist Hospital
B
• Christus Santa Rosa Health Care-Medical Center • Christus Santa Rosa Hospital-Westover Hills • Christus Santa Rosa Hospital-New Braunfels • Resolute Health Hospital in New Braunfels • Brooke Army Medical Center
C
Group presented an A grade to eight local hospitals, including Methodist Hospital Stone Oak and Stone Oak-based North Central Baptist Hospital. Overall, 47.4% of surveyed hospitals between San Antonio and New Braunfels received A grades this spring, resulting in the area ranking 23rd in the U.S.
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NORTHEAST SAN ANTONIO METROCOM EDITION
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