Direct Line from Steve Edwards: 5/14/21

May 14, 2021

COVID-19 updates
We are thankful that hospitalizations for COVID-19 remain low, dipping to 18 for all of CoxHealth as of this morning. In light of the decreasing disease prevalence in our communities, we will be announcing some modifications to our visitor policy next week. Our Incident Command team has carefully monitored the situation and feels that it is safe to make these changes. We are glad that patients will soon be able to have more access to loved ones during their time with us.

We are also pleased to see the FDA and CDC approval of the COVID-19 vaccine for pediatric patients ages 12 to 15 this week. We are now scheduling vaccinations for individuals in that group, and are hosting mass vaccination events in Springfield in the coming days. Click here to learn more information and how to register. Patients in this group, as well as all others who live or work in Missouri and are age 16 or older, may also get an appointment for a vaccine with us by calling 417-269-INFO.

Cox Monett time capsule

History was made this week with the addition of a time capsule at Cox Monett Hospital. This capsule contains mementoes and historical pieces related to the pandemic and the new hospital’s opening in January. It’s set to open in 2046.

Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

We thank our state lawmakers this week for approving a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. This tool is something we have long supported, and believe will benefit patients and physicians across Missouri.

Medicaid expansion

We were disappointed to see the drop of Medicaid expansion in Missouri yesterday. Some of the reasons for our disappointment include the health ramifications for people across the state, and also because Medicaid expansion is something Missouri voters chose. We believe that Missourians should be able to benefit from the federal money invested in the program, especially since allocations in the state budget were already made. However, we will continue to watch with great interest to see how things unfold, and hope that, if this ends up in court, our judicial system will do the right thing in listening to the will of the voters.

Vaccine Voices

From a CoxHealth nurse: “I got vaccinated in the hopes of keeping those around me safe and, as a health care provider, to lead by example in something I strongly believe in.”

Thank you for all you do,

Steve