Health care transformation in New York; Fauci on Capitol Hill; recycling surgical masks – Morning Medical Update

New York unveils health care improvement plan

New York state ranks 28th in the nation for prevention and treatment-based health care. Gov. Kathy Hochul hopes to change that with a massive health care transformation plan that includes upgrades for primary care, hospital cybersecurity, opioid addiction treatment and more. Her announcement this week prompted praise by the Medical Society of the State of New York.

Fauci in the House

Anthony Fauci, MD, the retired director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, became the face of the franchise for the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week he met with the House of Representatives’ select subcommittee on the pandemic. What did he say? We’re not sure yet. CBS News reported the meetings were taking place behind closed doors.

Surgical masks for fuel

Surgical masks sparked debate about safety and effectiveness for slowing the spread of COVID-19. Now they may spark heat for industry by creating synthetic gas loaded with hydrogen, according to researchers in Lithuania who announced a process for recycling surgical masks.