The FTC's decision to ban noncompete agreements is expected to significantly impact the health care sector by empowering clinicians and potentially lowering health care costs, but it raises concerns among private practices about increased competition and staffing challenges. The rule, set to take effect on September 4, faces opposition from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and may not fully apply to nonprofit hospitals.
The CDC is warning health care workers to be vigilant for measles cases as the U.S. experiences a rise in infections, with 23 confirmed cases between Dec. 1, 2023, and Jan. 23, 2024. Most cases were among unvaccinated children and adolescents, often linked to international travel. The CDC advises clinicians to be alert for patients with febrile rash illness and recent travel abroad, isolate suspected cases, notify health departments, provide post-exposure prophylaxis to close contacts, and ensure vaccination for those not up to date. The measles vaccine is highly effective, and outbreaks have occurred in unvaccinated pockets in recent years despite the disease being declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000.
The CDC has issued a warning to health care workers to remain vigilant for measles cases as the U.S. has seen a rise in infections, with 23 confirmed cases between Dec. 1, 2023, and Jan. 23, 2024. Most cases were among unvaccinated children and adolescents, often linked to international travel. The CDC advises health care providers to be alert for patients with febrile rash illness and recent travel abroad, isolate suspected cases, notify health departments, provide post-exposure prophylaxis to close contacts, and ensure vaccination for those not up to date. Measles is highly contagious, and complications can range from benign rashes to severe conditions. Vaccination remains the most effective preventive measure, with two doses being 97% effective.
California is set to raise the minimum wage for fast-food workers to $20 an hour in April, while health care workers will see a minimum wage increase in June. These industry-specific wage increases are expected to have ripple effects, potentially leading to pay bumps for workers in other industries as well. The new laws are projected to benefit around 900,000 Californians and come at a time when employers, particularly small businesses, are struggling to hire and retain workers in a competitive labor market. Some experts believe that other food-service companies and retailers may need to increase wages to retain workers and compete with the higher minimum wages in fast food and health care.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a decline in COVID-19 and flu vaccination rates among U.S. health care workers. According to the CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network data, flu vaccine coverage was 81% among hospital employees and 47.1% among nursing home workers. COVID vaccine coverage was only 7.2% at hospitals and 22.8% at nursing homes. The decline in vaccination rates is concerning, and the CDC emphasizes the need for evidence-based strategies to improve vaccination coverage among health care personnel. Factors contributing to the decline include fear, politicization, and misunderstanding of vaccines. Health care workers have a higher duty to be vaccinated to protect themselves and their patients.
The CDC has found that mental health issues, including burnout, are on the rise among health care workers who are facing harassment. The levels of burnout and other mental health problems have reached crisis levels, highlighting the urgent need for support and intervention for these frontline workers.
A survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that the rate of workplace harassment among U.S. health care workers has more than doubled from 6.4% in 2018 to 13.4% in 2022. The survey also revealed that health workers who experienced harassment were more likely to report anxiety, depression, and burnout. Staffing shortages were identified as a contributing factor to poorer mental health among health workers. Positive working conditions, including trust in management and supervisor support, were associated with lower odds of burnout and poor mental health. The CDC has launched a national campaign called Impact Wellbeing to provide resources for employers to support the mental health of health care workers.
Hundreds of non-nursing health care workers at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, represented by the SEIU United Healthcare Workers West union, have gone on a five-day strike over unfair labor practices, including understaffing, worker turnover, and patient care concerns. The workers claim that management has not been bargaining in good faith, while the hospital asserts that it has offered a generous package with significant wage increases. The strike is not expected to impact hospital operations as replacement workers have been contracted.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law that will gradually increase the minimum wage for health care workers to $25 per hour over the next decade. This follows a previous law raising the minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 per hour. The wage increase is the result of lobbying by labor unions and aims to recognize the dedication and commitment of health care workers during the pandemic. The law preempts local minimum wage increases and is a compromise between the health care industry and labor unions. The increase in wages is expected to allow some workers to leave government support programs, offsetting the costs to the state.
Kaiser Permanente has reached a tentative agreement with health care worker unions, representing 85,000 workers, following a recent strike over wages and staffing levels. The deal includes setting minimum hourly wages at $25 in California and $23 in other states, along with a 21% wage increase over four years. The agreement also addresses subcontracting, outsourcing, and investing in the current workforce. The ratification process is set to begin next week. President Joe Biden applauded the deal, emphasizing the importance of supporting health care workers. California Governor Gavin Newsom also signed a law raising the minimum wage for health care workers to $25 per hour over the next decade.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill that will raise the minimum wage for health care workers in the state to $25 per hour. The wage increase aims to address the workforce shortage in the health care sector, which was exacerbated by the pandemic. The governor's office was not directly involved in the negotiations between hospitals, clinics, and unions, but labor leaders have praised the decision. The bill also includes provisions to preempt any local ordinances and halt a ballot initiative seeking dialysis industry regulation. The estimated cost of the wage increase is over $1 billion per year.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law that will gradually raise the minimum wage for health care workers to $25 an hour. The law is expected to benefit over 400,000 health care employees in the state, including medical technicians, nursing assistants, and custodians. The wage hike will be implemented gradually, starting next year. This comes after unions representing lower-paid Kaiser Permanente employees announced a new contract with a $25 minimum wage for the health care giant's California workers. The law is part of a series of industry-specific minimum wage increases in California, with fast-food workers set to earn at least $20 an hour starting next April.
Kaiser Permanente has reached a tentative deal with over 75,000 of its health care workers following a three-day strike that disrupted services at hospitals and clinics. The labor dispute, which was the latest in a series between health care organizations and their employees, highlighted severe staffing shortages after the pandemic. The deal comes at a crucial time in the health labor market, with a significant exodus of staff members leaving the industry facing a shortage of workers. Union workers have been leveraging this situation to negotiate better terms.
Kaiser Permanente workers have threatened to go on further strikes if their demands regarding health-care staffing and job outsourcing are not met by executives. The current strike, involving over 75,000 workers in California, Colorado, Washington, and Oregon, is said to be the largest walkout by health-care workers in U.S. history. The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions accuses the company of refusing to limit outsourcing and subcontracting jobs, while also demanding long-term investments to address staffing shortages. Bargaining sessions are scheduled for next week.
More than 75,000 health care workers at Kaiser Permanente have gone on strike, alleging unfair labor practices. The strike, organized by a coalition of unions representing over 85,000 workers, is the largest in U.S. history. The workers are demanding better staffing levels, improved medical plans for retirees, and protections against outsourcing and subcontracting. While some agreements have been reached, negotiations are ongoing, and no new talks are scheduled at this time. Kaiser Permanente has hired contract workers to ensure hospitals and emergency departments remain open during the strike. This strike follows other major labor actions in the auto industry and entertainment sector.
