5 issues hospitals want Biden to tackle in his first 100 days

Former Vice President Joe Biden is beginning his transition to power as the novel coronavirus is breaking somber records in the U.S. — and hospitals in some areas find themselves stretched to the brink once again. Bolstering the federal response to the pandemic is the sector’s No.1 ask for the incoming president.

On the current trajectory, Biden is poised to assume office when the deadly pandemic may reach unprecedented heights in terms of the number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

Many hospitals and health systems across the country are warning that the virus threatens to overwhelm their clinicians and resources, spurring a call to action as administrators and officials all but beg the broader public to wear masks and socially distance to contain the spread.

Although the pandemic will undoubtedly be the top priority for a Biden administration come Jan. 20, there are other key issues to tackle in the early days.

Healthcare Dive spoke with numerous influential hospital leaders to discuss the most important items they want the president-elect to address in his first 100 days in office.