Rotor wash from Blackhawk causes landslide during rescue

From the Oregon Herald:

Water rescue teams were unable to reach him Saturday night, and the efforts were suspended until daybreak Sunday. A Blackhawk helicopter crew from the Army Air National Guard arrived Sunday morning, but the rotor wash triggered a landslide that sent large rocks and trees down toward Mishra and members of Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue, who were assessing Mishra’s location.

Authorities determined that it was too dangerous to keep using the helicopter. Instead, a rescuer rappelled down to him, helped him into a harness and then hoisted him about 100 feet up the cliff. Members of the search-and-rescue team placed his arm in a sling and walked with him one-quarter mile to a waiting ambulance.

Hospitals Dispute Rural Health Findings

From The Daily Yonder:

An independent congressional agency given the job of reporting on functioning of Medicare has issued a report finding that access to care and quality of care does not vary much from rural to urban areas and that payments to rural physicians are “at least as adequate as those made to urban physicians.”

Moreover, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) finds that some special payments to rural hospitals should not be continued. (The full report can be found here.) 

MedPAC’s findings have brought a strong reaction from rural health care groups. “The National Rural Health Association strongly disagrees with this report,” said Alan Morgan, National Rural Health Association CEO. “Rural patients and providers will ultimately pay the price as rural hospitals will be forced to eliminate services or close their doors if this report is enacted. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s (MedPAC) conclusions are counter to national data. Primary care workforce shortages remain a significant challenge in rural areas.”

Man takes staff hostage at Texas hospital ED, killed by police

From KXAN:

A gunman who took hostages in the emergency room of a Temple hospital was shot and killed by police tonight.

A man entered the emergency room of the Scott & White Hospital just before 7 p.m. on Sunday night. according to police, he took several medical students and staff members hostage. According to police, officers began to negotiate with the gunman but saw one of the hostages begin to struggle for the suspect’s gun.

“As the hostage and other bystanders were in mortal danger due to the struggle, a Temple Police Officer fired his weapon at least once, striking the suspect and causing a life threatening injury, and ending the situation,” according to a news release sent out by spokesman Brad Hunt.