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Blake Farmer

Latest Stories (109)

Hospitals of all sizes struggle as COVID patients overwhelm capacity

by Blake Farmer
Sep 22, 2021
As smaller hospitals try to find beds, large medical facilities in some areas are straining to find the staff to handle patients in need of high-level care.
A COVID-19 patient uses a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to help her breathe in a COVID holding pod at Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Apple Valley, California.
ARIANA DREHSLER/AFP via Getty Images
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COVID-19

High pay for traveling nurses a symptom and cause of staff shortages

by Blake Farmer
Sep 7, 2021
Traveling RNs make far more money than full-timers in the same job, stirring frustration at hospitals. Governments often foot the bill.
A poster lauding nurses'efforts hangs at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital in Los Angeles. The COVID pandemic has put more demands on nurses — and created more demand for nurses.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
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Medical debt is hitting hardest for people in the South

by Blake Farmer
Aug 16, 2021
A JAMA study finds the debt is higher in states that have decided to turn down federal money to expand Medicaid.
Medical debt in Tennessee and other states that haven’t expanded Medicaid outpaces debts people owe in other states, according to a new JAMA study. But hospitals like those owned by Community Health Systems say they need to collect on bills to stay financially viable.
Stephen Jerkins/WPLN News
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What would rural health care from a discount retailer look like?

by Blake Farmer
Jul 19, 2021
Dollar General, with more than 17,000 stores, is moving into health care. Many rural communities have lost hospitals in recent years.
Dollar General plans to provide a "comprehensive network" of affordable health services. Residents have a hard time getting medical care in some of the towns where it has stores.
Blake Farmer/WPLN News
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COVID & Unemployment

As some states forego federal pandemic benefits, workers weigh their options

by Blake Farmer
Jun 23, 2021
In Tennessee, the governor says everyone should be able to find a job that's a good fit. Workers say it's not that simple.
For most Americans getting jobless benefits, the money’s about to run out when all federal pandemic unemployment programs expire on Sept. 5.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images
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Back to Business

Southern car plants are humming, but worker vaccinations have stalled

by Blake Farmer
Jun 21, 2021
Auto makers are trying to figure out the best way to encourage more workers to get vaccinated.
General Motors’ Spring Hill, Tennessee site, along with most car plants, is continuing to require masks for employees building cars as many plants struggle to reach a level of herd immunity.
Courtesy of GM
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COVID-19

Military leaders encourage hesitant service members to get vaccinated

by Blake Farmer
May 26, 2021
Many people in the military are already fully immunized. Others are taking more time to convince.
Spc. Lorrin Rice, 35 weeks pregnant, waiting to get vaccinated at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Blake Farmer/WPLN News
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Nashville flooding renews federal push to tear down homes

by Blake Farmer
Apr 29, 2021
Those in areas prone to flooding are weighing whether it's better to stay in a home, or take a government buyout.
Baylie McDaniel is a public school teacher in Nashville who is starting the long process of rebuilding after floodwaters inundated her home in late March. She says she'd prefer the city to focus on controlling Seven Mile Creek rather than buying homes to tear them down.
Blake Farmer/WPLN News
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A year after a deadly tornado in Tennessee, people weigh the decision to rebuild

by Blake Farmer
Mar 3, 2021
Rebuilding has been slowed by the pandemic, fears about future storms and the pain of lost lives.
Survivors have been dealing with the tornado's aftermath, from rebuilding homes to post-traumatic stress and grieving for lost loved ones.
Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
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COVID-19

Should hospitals prioritize their own patients for COVID-19 vaccinations?

by Blake Farmer
Feb 9, 2021
The practice by some hospitals is raising concerns about equity.
As the nationwide vaccination program expanded to include older Americans, some states have ordered hospitals to stop putting their patients ahead of the broader community.
Blake Farmer/WPLN News
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