Save OMT: A message from the President of the Michigan Osteopathic Association

"A proposed rule, called "Local Coverage Determination," (LCD) threatens to limit the coverage patients will have for Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment in ten states, including Michigan. The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) has created a "Save OMT" campaign where our voices can be heard on this matter. The proposed rule would significantly reduce patient's access to effective pain-relieving treatment at a time when the healthcare system and our communities are seeking non-opioid interventions for chronic pain. If the proposed LCD rule is not stopped there is a strong chance Medicare contractors and private insurers would adopt the rule. I strongly urge our members to click on the link, go to the www.saveomt.org website, and submit your comments. The MOA will continue to monitor the LCD rule and keep our members informed on the outcome."
- MOA President Bruce Wolf, DO, FAOCR

Save OMT Call-to-Action
U.S. Surgeon General's Office: Turn the Tide Rx  

United States Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has launched a campaign to help combat and hopefully end the opioid epidemic in America.  

Dr. Murthy is currently on a tour to raise awareness and provide educational material on fighting the opioid crisis.   

A key component of the TurnTheTideRx is a "Join the Movement" pledge. The pledge: 
1.) Educate ourselves to treat pain safely and effectively. 
2.) Screen our patients for opioid use disorder and provide or connect them with evidence-based treatment. 
3.) Talk about and treat addiction as a chronic illness, not a moral failing.

To learn more and take the pledge, visit turnthetiderx.org
Autumn Scientific Convention to feature:
Opioid and Pain Management & Panel Discussion

The 12th Annual Autumn Scientific Convention will feature a great line up of sessions and speakers on the issues surrounding the opioid crisis. The agenda has been drafted with a special panel discussion after the sessions.

Speaker: Anthony Ognjan, DO, FACP
Topic: The magnitude of opioid mortality epidemic

Speaker: David Neff, DO
Topic: Overview of the National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA) - The economic and social impact of illicit drug trafficking in Michigan

Speaker: William Morrone, DO, MS, FACOFP, FAAOAM
Topic: First things, first - save a life with Narcan (naloxone) at the site of an overdose

Speaker: David Best, DO, MS, ABAM
Topic: Stabilizing addiction and heading toward recovery with medicated assisted therapy (MAT) and behavioral therapies

Speaker: Lawrence Prokop, DO
Topic: Alternatives to opioid based therapies in treating pain

Panel Discussion
Moderator: John Bodell, DO, FACOS
Discussants: Dr. Ognjan, Dr. Neff, Dr. Morrone, Dr. Best, Dr. Prokop

For more information and to register for Autumn Convention, visit: www.domoa.org/gr2016 
Michigan's Vaccination Waiver Rates:  
Changes in Waiver Policies Result in Improved Rates

Last year the implementation of the immunization waiver policy and all of the hard work talking to parents about vaccine concerns resulted in a 35% reduction in immunization waivers in Michigan.  The following information is on newly released policy statements and studies related to vaccine conversations with parents.    
 
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published two policy statements on August 29, 2016:
1) Link: "Countering Vaccine Hesitancy" -  a clinical report that provides information about addressing parental concerns about vaccines.

2) Link: "Medical Versus Non-Medical Immunization Exemptions for Child Care and School Attendance" -  The AAP supports regulations and laws requiring certification of immunization to attend child care and school as a sound means of providing a safe environment for attendees and employees of these settings.

The AAP also supports medically indicated exemptions to specific immunizations as determined for each individual child. The AAP views non-medical exemptions to school-required immunizations as inappropriate for individual, public health, and ethical reasons and advocates for their elimination.

Additional Resource links:
MDHHS: Immunization Waiver Education Materials
AAP: Resource for Communicating with Families
CDC: Provider Resources for Vaccine Conversations with Parents 
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The Eye on Advocacy is a member benefit for sharing news and information regarding advocacy issues where the MOA has taken a stance and is advocating for legislative action or providing leadership in shaping public policy. If you have an issue you would like to share, or if you would like to share your expertise on a topic, please contact:
 
Todd Ross
Manager of Communications
Michigan Osteopathic Association
517/827-0615
Michigan Osteopathic Association | 800.657.1556 | www.domoa.org