Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Hospitals Look To Training Programs In Effort To Fill Workforce Gaps
Health systems are stepping up efforts to increase the skills of clinicians and support staff, seeking to blunt the effects of limits on student loans, high workforce expenses and reimbursement pressures. More than ever, they are paying for workers’ training and certifications to fill chronically short-staffed positions including respiratory therapists, medical assistants, certified registered nurse anesthetists, radiology technicians, physical therapists and pharmacy technicians. Subsidizing their education helps not only with recruitment but also with retention. (Kacik and DeSilva, 6/16)
Telehealth utilization increased 10.1% across the U.S. from the fourth quarter of 2025 to the first three months of 2026, a new report from Fair Health found. Telehealth utilization, measured as a percentage of medical claim lines, increased from 5.01% of medical claim lines in the fourth quarter of 2025 to 5.51% in Q1 2026. The relative increase was 12% in the Midwest, 11.8% in the Northeast, 9% in the South and 8.1% in the West, Fair Health data indicated. (Gleeson, 6/16)
Epic Staffing Group will rebrand as part of a settlement agreement with Epic Systems. The electronic health record giant filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against the staffing company in 2024. The two companies entered into a settlement agreement last month, according to documents filed with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin. Under the terms of the agreement, the claims against Epic Staffing Group will be dismissed without prejudice. (Famakinwa, 6/16)
Health systems dove headfirst into artificial intelligence to discover new ways to address clinical and operational challenges. Now they’re taking steps to ensure they aren’t in over their heads, testing too many ideas simultaneously. To avoid AI pilot proliferation, providers are taking a disciplined approach, which has allowed them to move past the hype and find out what actually works. (Famakinwa, 6/16)
The foundation of Chicago philanthropists John and Kathy Schreiber is donating $35 million to Northwestern Medicine to create a new institute to support healthcare for vulnerable patients and communities. (Schencker, 6/16)
