The virus shedding from people with breakthrough COVID-19 infections may be less infectious than that coming from an unvaccinated COVID-19 patient, NPR reported Oct. 12. 

Fifty percent of Americans report having medical debt this year, up from 46 percent last year, according to a survey from consumer financial education company debt.com. 

A recent survey conducted by Dynata for EmblemHealth found that only 1 in 4 American consumers knew what "value-based care" was.

Lancaster (Pa.) General Hospital's motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a group of hospitals claiming it unlawfully received millions in state funding by inflating reimbursement claims was denied by a Pennsylvania federal judge Oct. 12.

Vermont has the highest percentage of its population fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the CDC's COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration data tracker.

COVID-19 created a massive disruption for elective surgeries, which are a critical piece of health systems' revenue stream.

Over the past few years, retail giants have been pushing their way into healthcare by offering consumers alternative places to receive primary care. Here are seven details about how these companies are expanding their clinical services:

Some Americans who received COVID-19 vaccines made by Moderna or Pfizer have sought additional Pfizer shots, a move physicians are advising against, Tampa, Fla.-based ABC affiliate WFTS-TV reported Oct. 11.

The country's COVID-19 booster rollout is making many vaccine-hesitant Americans even more skeptical of the shots, The New York Times reported Oct. 11.

As employers brace for an approximately 5 percent increase in health benefit costs, many are exploring ways to cut costs amid challenges like remote work and a difficult labor market. 

Houston Methodist President and CEO Marc Boom, MD, expressed disappointment in Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's executive order banning COVID-19 vaccination mandates throughout the state.

As many hospitals adopt permanent remote and hybrid work models, nearly half of employees working from home report it increases their anxiety and hurts their efficiency at work, according to a recent Breeze survey.

President Joe Biden and Colorado state officials signed off on a decision that requires payers representing a quarter of the state's market to cover gender-affirming care. 

Caroline Carney, MD, is the CMO of payer services company Magellan Health. A board certified internist and psychiatrist, she and her team are overseeing multiple initiatives designed to target the mental healthcare landscape at depths a simple smartphone app can't reach.

More corporate directors believe that action has to be taken to address diversity issues in their organizations, representing a cultural shift in the way companies think about diversity, equity and inclusion, Bloomberg reported Oct. 12.

Heather Nelson was named Boston Children's Hospital's senior vice president and chief information officer. Her role became effective Oct. 11, according to a statement shared with Becker's.

St. Louis-based healthcare company Ascension has appointed Sally Hurt-Deitch, MSN, RN, to the newly created position of senior vice president of operations. She will assume the role on Oct. 25, a news release shared with Becker's said.

Dickinson County Healthcare, a single-hospital system with several clinics based in Iron Mountain, Mich., plans to join Marshfield (Wis.) Clinic Health System. 

Ransomware attacks on hospitals have direct consequences on hospital operations. Some facilities have been forced to divert ambulances, shut down computer systems and cut off access to EHRs. 

St. Louis-based SSM Health has abandoned its plan to sell a Missouri hospital to Brentwood, Tenn.-based Quorum Health, according to the News Tribune.