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Public health officials and government agencies are concerned about hospitals and 

how they would handle a possible surge in seriously ill patients with COVID-19

, especially in terms of equipment like beds and ventilators. When it comes to 

, it’s estimated that there are 160,000 ventilators available for patient care, with at least 8,900 in a national stockpile. But are they enough?

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to get more equipment. Some of the onus falls on states themselves, with President Trump advising a group of governors Monday afternoon to 

MPR News host Kerri Miller talked with a health policy researcher and a health care executive about the state of hospital preparedness and what health care providers need to care for patients.

To listen to the full conversation you can use the audio player above.

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As cases of COVID-19 increase, some health experts and agencies are concerned about whether hospitals in the United States are prepared for an increase of patients. We talk with two doctors about health system preparedness and the role of social distancing.

As cases of COVID-19 increase, some health experts and agencies are concerned about whether hospitals in the United States are prepared for an increase of patients. We talk with two doctors about medical preparedness and the role of social distancing.

Coronavirus and the U.S. health care system challenges

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