B4
THE ASTORIAN • TuESdAy, MAy 19, 2020
Hospitals, health care reel from coronavirus
Losing profitable surgeries
to coronavirus patients
By TOM MURPHY
Associated Press
The global coronavirus pandemic has
created a huge need for health care in the
U.S., but it also is delivering a devastating
financial blow to that sector.
COVID-19 worries have kept patients
away from doctors’ offices and forced the
postponement and cancellation of non-ur-
gent surgeries. The pandemic also has shut
down large portions of the American econ-
omy, leaving many would-be patients with-
out insurance or in a financial pinch that
makes them curb spending.
All of this has forced hospitals, health
systems and doctors to lay off staff, cut costs
and hope a return to normal arrives soon.
“You couldn’t ask for a worse situation,
really,” said Joe Antos, an economist with
the American Enterprise Institute.
Health care provided the biggest drag on
the U.S. economy in the first quarter. Spend-
ing on care fell at an annual rate of 18%, the
largest drop for that sector among records
going back to 1959.
Economists point to hospital systems, a
key driver of the sector’s performance, as a
big reason behind the drag from COVID-19,
which initially hit some parts of the sector
more intensely than others.
The nation’s largest hospital chain, HCA
Healthcare, said its hospital-based out-
patient surgery totals for last month were
down about 70% through late April.
In many cases, hospitals that lose those
Tony Gutierrez/AP Photo
profitable surgeries are gaining COVID- Dermatologist Dr. Seemal Desai in the waiting room of his office in Texas. Desai said that at this time of day, early afternoon, his office would
19 patients — and losing money on them. typically be filled with several patients.
Those patients may require hospitals to
expand intensive care units, spend more on will cover them.
Even so, health care researchers expect setback if infection rates spike again.
In Texas, Desai has pulled chairs out of
Only about half the patients who were hospitals, doctor’s offices and surgery cen-
infection control and stock up on gowns and
offered a telemedicine visit actually did one. ters to rebound gradually. But they’re not his waiting rooms to increase social distanc-
masks, among other items.
The American Hospital Association esti-
“You would think my volume would be sure yet how much patient volume will ing for patients and staff. He’s also asking
mated in a recent report that the nation’s hos- shooting through the roof and people would return.
other patients to wait in their cars until the
pitals and health systems will collectively be clamoring for it, but it’s completely the
People who have lost jobs and insurance exam room has been sanitized.
The dermatologist got some government
lose more than $36 billion from March opposite,” Desai said.
coverage may not make doctor visits unless
assistance in the first round of payroll pro-
to June treating hospitalized COVID-19
The dermatologist cut expenses, includ- they absolutely have to.
ing marketing, and he’s
patients.
The Kaiser Family Foundation recently tection loans, and that will help him for a
When adding factors
reduced some employee estimated that nearly 27 million people — few more weeks.
like lost revenue from
But he’s not expecting a quick rebound.
hours.
or about 8% of the U.S. population — could
‘WE’RE FACING
postponed surgeries, the
Nationally, the health have become uninsured at least temporar- It’s hard to rebuild patient volume when
total balloons to more
care sector shed nearly ily between March and early May due to the only two people can be in the waiting room
PERHAPS
at the same time.
than $200 billion, said
1.5 million jobs from Feb- loss of employer-sponsored insurance.
THE BIGGEST
ruary to April, or about
“After another month I honestly have
It also may take a while for some patients
the association. Congress
9%
of
its
total,
according
no
clue whether we will be able to remain
to
become
confident
that
a
hospital
or
doc-
has set aside about $175
FINANCIAL CRISIS to the federal Bureau of tor’s office is safe enough to visit without open,”
he said.
billion so far to help hos-
pitals and other care pro-
Associated Press writers Martin
catching COVID-19.
IN OuR HISTORy.’ Labor Statistics.
viders, but the hospital
“People are just afraid to go to any med- Crutsinger, Josh Boak, Andrew Taylor,
A big chunk of that
Rick Pollack | American Hospital
association says more
came from dentist offices. ical setting right now,” Antos said, noting Linda A. Johnson and John Mone contrib-
Association CEO and president
assistance is needed.
Preliminary data shows that the economy also could face another uted to this report.
“We’re facing per-
that employee totals for
haps the biggest financial
that slice of the sector
crisis in our history,” association CEO and sank by more than 500,000, or 53%.
president Rick Pollack said.
Overall economic growth, as measured
From the doctor’s office, the view also is by the gross domestic product, fell at an
bleak.
annual rate of 4.8% in the January-March
Dr. Seemal Desai said patient visits quarter even though the severe impact of
for his Dallas-area dermatology practice the virus was only felt in the last couple of
plunged about 85% after COVID-19 hit.
weeks of March.
He started seeing patients over the inter-
The current quarter is expected to be
net with help from smartphone or tablet much worse. The Congressional Budget
cameras. But that created fresh problems. Office forecasts that the GDP will plunge
Desai said some patients don’t have the 40%. That would be four times the largest
technology to do online visits. Others hesi- drop on quarterly GDP records that go back
tate because they aren’t sure their insurance to 1947.
The Astorian wants to hear from you.
Tell us your COVID stories
Some words of wisdom
Dear Annie: I am 81 years old and a about north-south-east-west or heaven and
longtime reader of your advice column. I earth, that is true happiness! Don’t educate
thought the message below might be use- your children to be rich. Educate them to
ful to you and your readers somehow. It is be happy. So when they grow up they will
certainly authentic. I received it as a
know the value of things and not the
link to click on. I couldn’t open it,
price. Eat your food as your medi-
DEAR
cine, otherwise you have to eat med-
but the sender, who is president of
ANNIE
icine as your food.
a local seniors group that has been
“The One who loves you will
keeping members entertained with
never leave you for another because,
all sorts of items in her daily email,
even if there are 100 reasons to give
kindly typed the test for me. It was
up, he or she will find a reason to
Steve Job’s final essay before dying
hold on. There is a big difference
a billionaire at age 56. — Words of
Wisdom
between a human being and being
“I reached the pinnacle of success ANNIE LANE human. Only a few really understand
Creators
in the business world. In some oth-
it. You are loved when you are born.
Syndicate Inc.
ers’ eyes, my life is the epitome of
You will be loved when you die. In
success. However, aside from work,
between, you have to manage!
I have little joy. In the end, my wealth is
“The six best doctors in the world are
only a fact of life that I am accustomed to. sunlight, rest, exercise, diet, self-confidence
At this moment, lying on my bed and recall- and friends. Maintain them in all stages and
ing my life, I realize that all the recognition enjoy a healthy life.”
and wealth that I took so much pride in have
Dear Words of Wisdom: Thank you for
paled and become meaningless in the face passing these words along. Though it’s been
of my death.
disproven that Steve Jobs wrote this, its mes-
“You can employ someone to drive the sage is still important. I love the idea that we
car for you, make money for you but you are loved when we are born and when we
cannot have someone bear your sickness die and the point is to maintain and return to
for you. Material things lost can be found love while we are here and now. Hold your
or replaced. But there is one thing that can family a little closer; cherish friends. Help
never be found when it’s lost — life. Which- those who are unable to help themselves,
ever stage in life you are in right now, with and always forgive yourself first so that you
time, you will face the day when the curtain can forgive others. When we truly love our-
selves, we are able to love one another.
comes down.
“Treasure love for your family, love for
Use this time of quarantine to fall in love
your spouse, love for your friends. Treat with yourself again. Journal, garden, pick up
yourself well and cherish others. As we a new hobby, run, walk, hike, sing, dance,
grow older, and hopefully wiser, we realize laugh, eat healthy foods and keep in touch
that a $300 or a $30 watch both tell the same with your friends and family on a daily
time. You will realize that your true inner basis. Whatever brings you joy each day, do
happiness does not come from the material it.
things of this world. Whether you fly first
And if you are too sad, tired or anxious
class or economy, if the plane goes down — to engage in one of those activities, then let
you go down with it.
yourself be sad, tired or anxious. Because
“Therefore, I hope you realize, when you it is when we allow our feelings to be felt
have mates, buddies and old friends, broth- fully that we can move past those feelings
ers and sisters, who you chat with, laugh and begin to feel better. Thank you for this
with, talk with, have sing songs with, talk realization.
The Astorian is partnering with the Astoria
Public Library to publish weekly audio stories
of how residents in Clatsop County are
experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Share your story with us. Here’s how:
1. Call 503-325-5590
2. Tell us your first and last name, age, area of
residence, profession and the best way to reach you
3. Then tell us your story in 1-2 minutes on the recording
Your story will be included in a weekly audio digest published on
The Astorian’s website. The Astoria library will preserve the audio
file in a local history archive accessible to library users.
We want to hear from everyone — essential workers in health care,
food service, financial, cleaning, logging, fishing and construction,
to business owners, care-center residents, educators, graduating
high school and college seniors and those sheltering at home —
on how you are experiencing the pandemic.
The Astorian and Astoria Library may follow up with some
voicemails for news stories and extended interviews.
Questions? E-mail Jonathan Williams
at jwilliams@dailyastorian.com