Huntsville Hospital Health System has sent a notice of termination to UnitedHealthcare. According to a statement from the system, the decision came after “several months of disappointing negotiations” with the “insurance giant.” AL.com reports the hospital says the decision impacts United’s commercial health insurance and Medicare Advantage plans. It does not impact United’s VA managed care plan for veterans. According to HH Health, patients who have UnitedHealthcare insurance may continue to use Huntsville Hospital Health System as an out-of-network hospital.
Huntsville Hospital is delaying some non-emergency surgeries due to a critical shortage of IV fluids. Hospital officials stress this will not cancel surgeries. The delay is due to damage from Hurricane Helene to Baxter International’s factory in Marion, N.C. Baxter provides a major portion of the IV fluids used in hospitals nationwide. Huntsville Hospital President and COO Tracy Doughty tells AL.com that Baxter has said that it could be months before the plant is back to full operation. The hospital is limiting non-emergency surgeries that use high volumes of fluids, such as some orthopedic, urology and gynecological surgeries. He said all uses of fluids will be evaluated according to the patient need and the available supply.
Huntsville City Councilors will vote in two weeks on separate proposals from Huntsville Utilities and from Public Works to raise rates for electricity and solid waste collection. AL.com reports both would take effect in two phases. Huntsville Utilities is proposing a 3.9% increase starting in January and a 1.3% increase starting in October. The Public Works department proposed a $5 monthly increase for residential customers starting in January, with another $3 monthly increase in January 2027.
Governor Kay Ivey announced she has deployed a 57-person Type III Urban Search and Rescue Task Force to Florida as the state recovers from Hurricanes Milton and Helene. The governor also activated additional Alabama National Guard Soldiers to assist with the Hurricane Helene response in North Carolina. The Alabama Political Reporter notes Governor Ivey’s additional activation to North Carolina includes a 16-person team from the 20th Special Forces Group to perform multi-role operations in remote areas as part of the ongoing response to Hurricane Helene.
The Huntsville Police Department broke ground this week on a new crime scene investigation facility. It will be located at 616 Wheeler Ave. in Huntsville. WHNT TV reports HPD’s Criminal Investigation Division’s new building will house labs, office space, evidence processing areas, and vehicle processing bays.
Governor Kay Ivey has awarded more than $172,000 in grant funding for a program aimed at promoting safe driving habits among young drivers in Alabama. The grant, awarded to Students Against Destructive Decisions Inc., will support the Addressing Mobility Safety with Alabama Teens Program. It seeks to educate drivers under the age of 25 on key issues such as aggressive driving, distracted or impaired driving, the importance of occupant protection, and awareness of pedestrians and riders of bicycles or motorized scooters. According to the Alabama Political Reporter, the program will be administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. It’s funded through a grant provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The City of Huntsville is ready to begin design work on the Goldsmith-Schiffman Park Development project. Goldsmith-Schiffman Field, located near Five Points, opened in 1934 as a high school football stadium. A news item from the city of Huntsville says the plan for the project includes pickleball courts, a grass lawn with space for two flag football fields, a new concession/restroom building and a playground. Much of the stone wall around the field is expected to remain in place.