- Health care experts are concerned the U.S. could face a “tripledemic” this winter if cases of Covid-19, the flu and RSV all surge at the same time. Some experts are concerned that hospitals may be overwhelmed as a result of staffing shortages.
- After Hurricane Ian made landfall in southwest Florida, communities continue to grapple with the widespread damage. The Category 4 hurricane not only led to the devastating loss of life, but it also exacerbated a long-standing affordable housing crisis. Policymakers acknowledge that simply returning to the status quo of housing affordability, particularly for renters, is not good enough.
- NAIOP’s latest CRE Sentiment Index has declined to 47 (6 points lower than the previous 53), suggesting unfavorable conditions for commercial real estate over the next 12 months. CRE practitioners are concerned about increasing interest rates and cap rates, in addition to a reduction in the supply of equity and debt.
- CBRE announced a $400 million cost-reduction plan based on rising interest rates and overall market conditions. CBRE indicated that a large portion of the cuts will be achieved through layoffs.
- The U.S, Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Inspector General concluded that a proposed restructuring of financial relationships between a health system and a federally qualified health center “look-alike” clinic would not trigger an enforcement action under the Anti-Kickback Statute.
- Nearly 21% or about 50 million adults experienced mental illness from 2019 to 2020. About 55% of adults with a mental illness do not receive treatment, and 28.2% of adults with a mental illness reported being unable to receive the treatment they needed. Among the states with the best mental health availability are Kentucky, Hawaii and New York.
- In addition to nearly $300 million awarded (in September) for new and existing Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, the Biden administration announced it is awarding $15 million in new grants early next year to states building out community behavioral health clinics.
- UnitedHealth Group has expanded its behavioral health network by 25% over the last few years and will continue to prioritize behavioral health care services going forward. The large payer is growing its behavioral clinical practices that are owned and operated by its health service division, Optum.
- Walmart announced plans to open 16 new health clinics in Florida. The clinics will be located in Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa metro areas.
- JPMorgan Chase is teaming up with health care startup Vera Whole Health and Central Ohio Primary Care to open three new on-site advanced primary care centers across the company’s Columbus offices. More than 20,000 JPMorgan Chase employees will have access to a full suite of comprehensive in-person and virtual health and wellness services, according to the companies.
- Nursing home investor, Omega Healthcare, sold two Florida facilities in Miami and Jacksonville for a combined value of $37.2 million. This action is the latest in the company’s asset disposition and is to allow for future development in health care spaces.
Special thanks to Thomas Dziwlik, undergraduate intern, for his assistance in the preparation of this article.
Hall Render blog posts and articles are intended for informational purposes only. For ethical reasons, Hall Render attorneys cannot give legal advice outside of an attorney-client relationship.
