When test results arrive before doctors can explain them

Patient portals provide immediate access to medical test results, but this can be overwhelming for patients receiving serious diagnoses without timely consultation with a doctor. The American Medical Association advocates for a 72-hour delay to allow physicians to prepare patients for grim news. Vice President Harris is focusing on addressing medical debt, working with agencies to remove medical bills from credit reports and exploring a pilot program in North Carolina to forgive medical debt for millions of residents. The Senate Health Committee is investigating Steward Health Care, the nation's largest physician-led hospital system, over concerns about excessive executive pay and harm to patient care. CEO Ralph de la Torre has been subpoenaed to testify. The Department of Health and Human Services has reorganized its Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology to enhance its focus on health technology, data, and artificial intelligence. Colorado has reported three additional poultry workers infected with bird flu, bringing the total human cases in the state to 10. The state is requiring weekly milk testing of all licensed dairy herds for signs of the virus. A federal law could block reforms in Louisiana's prison healthcare system, despite a judge's ruling that it has failed inmates for decades. UnitedHealth Group has been using its physician empire to increase profits, raising concerns about patient care. Medicaid enrollment surged during the pandemic, but insurers are now experiencing a decline. A recent study suggests that the least important test results can often cause the most stress for patients.