The Diversion Department of the US Department of Justice has reminded providers that the Ryan Haight Act of 2008 provides an exemption for most waivered providers prescribing Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) to practice telemedicine while treating patients with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Please be sure to read the information here to learn more.
Managing Stress, Fear, and Anxiety Related to C0VID-19
As C0VID-19 affects numerous facets of our society, it impacts individuals and their mental health in very different ways. We are all feeling uncertainty and anxiety about what could happen with this pandemic, and those feelings are very normal to experience. If you have a mental health disorder, you may be consumed with constant worry and fear or your depression symptoms may be heightened due to social distancing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created a webpage with healthy coping skills, information for parents on how to ease the anxiety in children, and many other resources that can be helpful during this time.
Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures, 2020-2022
Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer, the third leading cause of cancer death in both men and women and the second overall when men and women are combined. The American Cancer Society’s Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures, 2020-2022 report provides a comprehensive overview of colorectal cancer in the U.S., including statistics on colorectal cancer occurrence as well as information about risk factors, prevention, early detection and treatment.
Deadline Extended! Grants Aimed at Connecting Pennsylvania HIOs and Providers
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) has grants available to Pennsylvania Health Information Organizations (HIOs) to help connect hospitals and ambulatory practices (including health centers) to the PA eHealth Partnership Program’s Pennsylvania Patient & Provider Network (P3N). The P3N enables electronic health information exchange across the state through the connection of health care providers to an HIO, and the participation of the HIO in the P3N. The anticipated performance period for this grant runs through Sept. 30, 2020 but if you are interested in this program, it is crucial that you reach out to one of the PA certified HIOs as soon as possible. HIO’s must submit bids to DHS by March 31, 2020 for these grants. The original due date was March 24, 2020. Information about the PA certified HIOs can be found here.
Doximity Offers Free Postings in Response to COVID-19
Doximity, the medical professional social media platform with an effective but expensive recruitment feature, has pledged to help fill COVID-19-related MD/DO needs. Doximity will distribute these jobs or volunteer opportunities on its network free of charge. To take advantage of this offer you need to fill out the form. Doximity will distribute your job post to appropriate clinicians based on your location, specialty and any additional requirements. They will send applicants and responses directly to the contact information you provide on the form.
Pennsylvania Loan Repayment Recipients Impacted by Pandemic Won’t Be Penalized
If you or a staff member is currently a participant in the Pennsylvania Primary Care Loan Repayment Program, you will not be penalized for reduced hours or temporary loss of hours due to your facility’s response to COVID-19. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has confirmed that under provisions in Paragraph 27 (Default and Termination), sub-paragraph C, of the Standard General Terms and Conditions, grant agreements will not be terminated in the event that grantees cannot perform duties outlined in the grant agreements due to COVID-19 response and mitigation efforts. If loan repayment grantees are unable to perform the duties outlined in a grant agreement due to COVID-19, the grantees should contact the program administrator. Contact Judd Mellinger-Blouch, Director of the Pennsylvania Primary Care Career Center, with questions.
Blood Banks Facing Critical Shortage
Blood banks are asking healthy donors to turn out “in full force” as donations drop in the face of the spreading coronavirus. Because schools, churches and other businesses are closing, blood drives are being canceled. The American Red Cross on Tuesday tweeted that the nationwide organization is facing a severe shortage, indicating that 2,700 blood drives had been canceled as of Monday. That works out to 86,000 fewer donations. Anyone who is healthy is asked to consider giving.
Drug Distributors Seek to Settle Opioid Litigation for $19.2 Billion
The New York Times reported on March 13 that drug distributors McKesson, AmerisourceBergen and Cardinal Health are negotiating a deal to pay $19.2 billion over 18 years to states to settle opioid litigation. The companies would also agree to monitoring and oversight. In exchange, all plaintiffs, including cities and counties, would drop their lawsuits. Funds would go to state attorneys general, who would then be in control of distributing money to cities and counties. Read More.
Pennsylvania State Senate and House Vote to Change Rules in Response to COVID-19
On March 18, 2020, the Pennsylvania Senate approved a rule change that allows all members to vote outside the state Capitol in response to the coronavirus. The new rule allows members to participate and vote remotely using technology. The temporary rule will expire at the end of July or when Gov. Tom Wolf lifts his emergency declaration. The House also made temporary changes to its rules so members can submit their votes to party leaders and committee chairs, rather than be present in the Capitol. The party leaders and committee chairs must still be present if lawmakers want to consider legislation. House members also shortened the amount of time needed to move bills between the two chambers. The Senate did not follow but could later vote remotely to suspend the rules to move certain bills more quickly.
Pennsylvania Governor Orders Closure of All but “Life-Critical” Businesses
On March 19, 2020, Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf ordered all businesses except for those considered life-sustaining to close at 8:00 pm. With the order came a list of businesses that the state may classify as “may continue physical operation.” These include crop and animal production, food manufacturing, grocery stores, transportation, postal services, telecommunications, waste management and healthcare organizations. For ambulatory care practices, elective procedures are prohibited. If businesses not listed as “may continue physical operation” on the list do not shut down, the state will begin to take enforcement actions beginning Saturday, March 21 at 12:01am. A video statement from the Governor can be seen here. Find a copy of the list of life-sustaining businesses here.