'Crushing' coronavirus blow forces hospital worker furloughs across the country
Public health expert on debate over relaxing coronavirus restrictions
Dr. Tom Inglesby, director of the Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins University, joins Chris Wallace on ‘Fox News Sunday.’
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Even as the coronavirus pandemic puts pressure on the U.S. health care system, hospitals throughout the country are furloughing workers after suspending elective procedures.
Children's Mercy Kansas City furloughed or cut hours for 350 employees after surgeries and outpatient visits fell by more than 70 percent, hospital president and CEO Paul Kempinski said.
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"COVID-19 is having a crushing, negative impact on patient care access, our employees and our financial performance," Kempinski said. "In order to keep our community safe and to prepare to care for COVID-19 patients, last month we suspended elective procedures and limited outpatient clinic visits."
A nurse fills out paperwork on a COVID-19 patient outside an Intensive Care Unit room, April 20, 2020, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Yonkers, N.Y. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Health officials have urged hospitals to suspend elective surgeries since mid-March to stop the spread of the virus, and many governors issued executive orders putting them on hold. But that also means that hospitals are losing out on a big chunk of income. Hospitals that have placed workers on furlough include: President Trump on Friday signed the $484 billion coronavirus relief package that includes $75 billion for hospitals, with a special focus on those in rural areas. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS Source: Read Full Article