Healthcare Industry Actions to Protect Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic – September 21, 2020

The Healthcare Leadership Council is comprised of leading companies from every sector of American healthcare.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be sharing examples of actions these companies are taking to protect and assist the public and combat the virus’s spread.  If you would like assistance in reaching a representative for any of these companies, please contact Kelly Fernandez at kfernandez@hlc.org. 

• Aetna announced it is sending boxes of specially-curated, over the counter healthcare items to its Medicare Advantage members to assist them with stay-at-home care during the COVID-19 pandemic and coming flu season. The “Caring for You” kits will include a thermometer, hand sanitizer, face masks and other items.

• Amgen said it would be partnering with Eli Lilly to amplify manufacturing capability of an monoclonal antibody drug in development that, in early trials, is showing it can push the COVID-19 virus out of the body sooner and reduce hospitalizations. Amgen’s partnership will enable production of several million units of the drug when it is approved.

• The Mayo Clinic has released to the public a tracking tool that utilizes information from state health departments, federal agencies and other sources to monitor the number of COVID-19 cases taking place in every county throughout the country. This tool assists hospitals in determining necessary staffing and supply levels. Mayo said it plans to add a forecasting tool that will enable health officials to project forthcoming increases in cases.

• Merck has begun testing its experimental COVID-19 vaccine on volunteers at a trial site in Belgium. The Merck vaccine uses a weakened version of the virus that causes measles to deliver coronavirus proteins to the immune system, helping to trigger an immune response to COVID-19.

• In an op-ed for Fierce Healthcare, Surescripts CEO Tom Skelton writes that the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered an increase in health information technology innovation. New health IT tools, he says, are strengthening electronic case reporting to public health officials, enabling health providers to streamline processes, helping patients find the most affordable medications, and enhancing telehealth and e-prescribing services.

• Tivity Health announced it has delivered more than 170,000 meals to senior citizens impacted by COVID-19. The company arranged the meal deliveries in partnerships with the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging and the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs. Tivity has arranged a wide variety of bundled food options for seniors facing food insecurity challenges.