Part of US West see health care rationing because COVID-19 surge, Idaho seeks help from neighboring states

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — In another ominous sign about the spread of the delta variant, Idaho public health leaders on Thursday expanded health care rationing statewide and individual hospital systems in Alaska and Montana have enacted similar crisis standards amid a spike in the number of unvaccinated COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization.

The decisions marked an escalation of the pandemic in several Western states struggling to convince skeptical people to get vaccinated. ...

A hospital in Helena, Montana, was also forced to implement crisis standards of care amid a surge in COVID-19 patients. Critical care resources are at maximum capacity at St. Peter’s Health hospital, officials said Thursday.

And earlier this week Providence Alaska Medical Center, Alaska’s largest hospital, also started prioritizing resources.

Thursday’s move in Idaho came a week after state officials started allowing health care rationing at hospitals in northern parts of the state. ...

ALSO SEE: Overwhelmed Idaho hospitals are contacting  dozens of regional hospitals across the West in hopes of finding places for their patients. 

ALSO: Doctor who called COVID-19 vaccine 'needle rape' is now on Idaho's largest regional health board