FHI's Week in Review

Volume IV, Issue 52

Dec. 25 , 2017

The GOP Tax Bill Repeals Obamacare's Individual Mandate

The unpopular individual mandate, which requires most Americans (other than those who qualify for a hardship exemption) to carry a minimum level of health coverage, has been repealed by the new Republican tax bill. Passed by both houses of Congress, the bill will be signed into law by President Trump.

WIM

Sy Mukherjee, in a December 20, 2017 Fortune post, states that the "tax bill does at least as much (if not more) to upend Obamacare...than even all of the Trump administration's thousand cuts to the health law over the past year by repealing the individual mandate."

Survey: More than 8 in 10 provider organizations don't have a cybersecurity leader

In a 12.20.17 article, Fierce Healthcare informs us that a " new survey found that 84% of provider organizations do not have a dedicated cybersecurity leader, and just 11% said they had plans to hire one."

WIM

"The survey paints an unflattering portrait of healthcare's cybersecurity posture," states the author, Evan Sweeney.

More Women Than Men Enrolled in US Med Schools for First Time

For the first time, the number of women enrolling in U.S. medical schools has exceeded the number of men, according to new data released 12.18.17 by the AAMC ( Association of American Medical Colleges).

WIM

"We are very encouraged by the growing number of women enrolling in U.S. medical schools," said Darrell G. Kirch, MD, AAMC president and CEO. "This year's matriculating class demonstrates that medicine is an increasingly attractive career for women and that medical schools are creating an inclusive environment. While we have much more work to do to attain broader diversity among our students, faculty, and leadership, this is a notable milestone."