The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) awarded $7 million to the University of Utah Health (U of U Health) recently to establish a new Center of Excellence for Total Worker Health in Utah. The five-year grant will go towards the creation of the new Center to promote workplace safety and wellness while … Read more
COVID-19 vaccination rates among Utah’s Medicaid population is significantly lower than rates of all Utahns, said a recently released report from Utah Medicaid. Emma Chacon, interim Medicaid director at the Utah Department of Health (UDOH), said the issue is present around the country. Chacon said she has implemented non-emergency transportation, expanded outreach, and competitive incentives … Read more
Rep. Candice Pierucci (R-Herriman) was the vice-chair for the Utah House Health and Human Services Committee in the previous session, and is a member of the Health and Human Services Interim Committee. She has been in office since 2019. In this Q&A, Pierucci discusses her thoughts on vaccine mandates, future mental and behavioral health legislative … Read more
Utah-based Intermountain Healthcare and Colorado-based SCL Health — two nonprofit health care organizations — signed a letter of intent to merge on Thursday. The letter promises higher quality care, greater accessibility for underserved communities, and greater affordability. The combined health system will include 33 hospitals, 385 clinics, and more than 58,000 health care … Read more
Yesterday, during a meeting of the Executive Appropriations Committee of the Utah State Legislature, lawmakers unanimously approved $90 million in funding for the Utah Translational Research Building at the University of Utah Huntsman Mental Health Institute. “The Utah Translational Research Building is an incredible win for the people of Utah,” said Taylor Randall, Ph.D., President, … Read more
The Utah Legislature continued its interim work this week after a summer break with a Health and Human Services Interim Committee meeting on Sept. 15. The topics discussed in the meeting include substance abuse and mental health legislation suggestions and value-based health care reform. Richard Nance, president of the Association of Utah Substance … Read more
COVID-19 cases have continued to significantly increase in Utah—resulting in consistently high volumes in hospital ICUs and acute care units across our system. Our teams are overwhelmed and we’re running out of staffed beds for patients. We are at a critical point where we must take further action to support our teams and the safety … Read more
Utah’s thirteen Community Health Centers (CHC) — operating from 40 service sites — are on the “forefront” of implementing physical health and behavioral health integration in the state, according to Emily Bennett, behavioral health integrated care coordinator at the Association of Utah Community Health (AUCH). Bennett says the majority of the CHCs have … Read more
Dan Lundergan, MHA, Chief Operating Officer at University of Utah Health Hospitals and Clinics, has been appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer. He has served as interim CEO since February and steps into the official role beginning immediately. Lundergan will oversee U of U Health’s five hospitals and 12 community clinics as well … Read more
The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) released a report on Tuesday outlining the COVID-19 outlook in schools and hospitals. The report also revisits COVID-19 safety metrics set under HB 294 and compares current COVID-19 rates with metrics determined in the bill. The new school year is starting in Utah with a law — … Read more