The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released a final recommendation statement on screening for obstructive sleep apnea in adults. The Task Force concluded that more research is needed to recommend for or against screening adults without recognized symptoms. The final recommendation statement provides the evidence on which it is based and a summary for clinicians.

Half of U.S. primary care physicians under the age of 55 say they’re burned out and some anticipate leaving the profession in the next three years, per a new survey from the Commonwealth Fund. It’s the latest evidence of doctor shortages that could hamper efforts to reduce health disparities and fill gaps in care as the nation emerges from the pandemic.

Amazon continues to explore ways to become a presence in healthcare delivery. The latest venture is Amazon Clinic, a virtual service that will operate in 32 states and provide virtual care for more than 20 common health conditions, such as allergies, acne, and hair loss. And then there is Amazon Pharmacy, “where customers can get their medication delivered to their door conveniently—in just two days for Prime Members.” Amazon has also entered into an agreement to acquire One Medical, a human-centered and technology-powered provider of primary care.

Pediatric health provider groups are calling on the Biden administration to declare a national emergency to help them combat the surge of hospitalizations due to respiratory illnesses in children. Seasonal flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other respiratory viruses are hitting young children especially hard this year and the resulting hospitalizations are putting an immense strain on a pediatric health system that is still reeling from COVID-19. The pediatric care organizations argue that significant capacity issues in hospitals can only be solved by a federal emergency declaration from the Biden Administration — like the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency. An emergency declaration would allow for more telehealth flexibilities and waive certain Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Program requirements that make it difficult for providers to share resources.

The rate of premature birth in the United States is climbing, according to the infant and maternal health nonprofit March of Dimes. On Tuesday, the organization released its annual “report card” on maternal and infant health, which involves a newly updated calculation system. Taking an in-depth look at premature births, the new report found that the US preterm birth rate rose to 10.5% last year, representing an increase of 4% since 2020 and the worst national rate since March of Dimes started tracking this data in 2007, based on its new calculation system.

The pandemic has been hard on everyone, but new research suggests perhaps particularly so on adolescents. There has been a deeply disturbing rise in adolescents presenting to emergency departments with suicidal thoughts has jumped in recent years and was accelerating even before the COVID-19 pandemic. The research is based on data from 205 hospitals in Illinois. The state’s diverse population means findings are nationally representative, authors explained, writing in the journal Pediatrics.

State regulators are seeking to clarify the professional licensing process for people with criminal backgrounds as part of a larger effort to improve career opportunities for ex-convicts. The proposed rules, scheduled for publication this weekend in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, carry out provisions of a state law passed in 2020. Taken together, the rules would provide greater transparency and clarity to the process, giving applicants a better idea of what past crimes disqualify them for licensure and how they could make their case, according to the Department of State, which oversees professional licensing in Pennsylvania.

The Department of Human Services (DHS), General Services (DGS), and the Pennsylvania State Police announced that Pennsylvanians obtaining a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal History Clearance will receive their results electronically if the clearance does not indicate a criminal history. Under Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Law, certain professions, volunteers, and prospective foster or adoptive parents are required to obtain clearances in order to work or volunteer with children. Three clearances are required under state law: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance, and the FBI Criminal History Clearance. Fingerprints are required to complete the FBI clearance and typically are delivered via mail or directly to the ordering agency. Now, when applicants apply to get fingerprinted through IDEMIA, also known as IdentoGo or MorphoTrust, results will be provided via a secure account. All applicants will still receive a copy of their clearances by mail.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 provided states with additional funding for Medicaid allowing states to keep consumers continuously enrolled through the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE). In Pennsylvania, Medicaid enrollment has increased by almost 21 percent since March 2020. The Federal Government has committed to giving states a 60-day notice prior to ending the PHE. To date, that notice has not been received. DHS has also provided that the unwinding period following the end of the PHE has been extended from 6 months to a full year. It is anticipated the PHE will be renewed again in January 2023. To help prepare healthcare providers, enrollment assisters, and Medicaid consumers, representatives from the DHS Office of Incomes Maintenance, Medical Assistance Programs, the Office of Long-Term Living and Pennie have provided information on strategies to prepare for the end of the PHE.  DHS has also recorded Medical Assistance and Long-Term Care Renewal Refresher Training. All three are available on DHS’s PHE Website.

A newly divided Congress gives lawmakers in the narrow House GOP majority leeway to block legislation and launch a battery of investigations. House Republicans will also control a key lever in the process for crafting the federal budget and hold crucial leverage in spending fights with the Biden administration. The narrow House majority will present a difficult situation for party leadership, as the speaker will have to keep practicing the entire conference together on key votes. An unexpected death or resignation could fundamentally alter the chamber’s balance of power.