Volume 6, Issue 14 │April 8, 2022
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Dr. Lori Grover Runs for Re-election as AOA Trustee
IOA member Dr. Lori Grover has filed for re-election to the AOA's Board of Trustees. Dr. Grover was first elected to the Board in 2018 and serves as liaison trustee to the Advocacy Committee, the Federal Relations Committee, the InfantSEE & Children's Vision Committee, the State Government Relations Committee, and the Third Party Center Executive Committee.
“As trustee, I will continue to remain focused on increased scope expansion, membership growth and awareness of optometry’s value to the nation’s health. Having worked closely with almost every committee, council, task force, institute, project team, section and work group, I gained valuable insight into optometric advocacy and strategy. My representation of affiliates and members will remain focused on listening, engagement, and support for resources and team building to meet evolving needs..”
The election will take place during the House of Delegates Meeting at Optometry's Meeting in Chicago, IL. Click here for more information on Optometry' s Meeting.
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License Renewal Portal Open through May 31, 2022
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (DFPR) has extended the license renewal deadline until May 31, 2022. IOA has published FAQs on how to renew under the updated license renewal process.
Doctors who did not receive an email from IDFPR with their username and password should follow the MATCH instructions posted here.
To begin the renewal process:
After logging in to your profile, click on "My Account". Then click "Create/Continue a Renewal".
Click here to read the FAQs before renewing your license.
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Report illegal and unsafe contact lens sales to the FDA & FTC
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2022 Medicare Fee Schedules
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Labor Law Poster - 2022 Updates |
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*Venue Change* - Legislative Fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis
Join us on Wednesday, April 13 for a fundraiser for U.S. Representative Rodney Davis at Cooper's Hawk in Springfield, IL. The fundraiser will be held alongside a Mid-State Optometric Society Meeting and will begin at 6:30pm. The suggested contribution for the fundraiser is $250. Please RSVP to Dr. Vince Brandys at vbrandys23@gmail.com or 312-259-2323. |
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State Rep. Paul Jacobs, OD, was recognized in the General Assembly on National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29. Dr. Jacobs served in the Navy from 1965-1971. During Vietnam, he trained Marines in helicopter assault aboard the USS Boxer.
Thank you to Dr. Jacobs and all Vietnam Vets for your service to our country!
See Dr. Jacobs honored on the floor of the House of Representatives at the 6:36 mark.
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ANNUAL MEETING SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT
John McGreal, O.D.
"Ophthalmic Innovations"
This 3 hr TQ class will cover all things new in the ophthalmic space. It will include discussions of glaucoma, retina, pharmaceutical agents, surgery, and systemic medicine.
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Check out the newest IOA classifieds here!
Looking for FT, PT/Fill-In, and Sublease Optometrists with For Eyes and Walgreens! We have a FT position available at our Oakbrook office and PT/Fill-In positions at multiple Chicagoland offices ( Read more)
Wisconsin Vision is looking for an Optometrist interested in full time and/or part time employment in Milwuakee, WI and surround suburbs. ( Read more) |
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State Budget Agreement Reached in IL House & Senate
The Chicago Tribune reports that Gov. Pritzker and Democratic leaders "announced an agreement Thursday on an election-year state budget that would include more than $1.8 billion in largely temporary tax relief while paying down $1.2 billion in debt." The $45 billion budget is expected to be passed in the General Assembly today, the last scheduled day of the spring session. The plan would include tax relief measures such as:
- direct payments of $50 each and $100 per child (up to 3 children) to individual taxpayers earning less than $200,000 annually and joint filers earning less than $400,000
- suspension of the 1% grocery tax for one year
- property tax rebate checks of up to $300 to homeowners
- suspension of an inflation-based gas tax increase for six months
- permanently expanding the earned income tax credit to 20% of the federal credit, up from 18%
The proposal also includes a $1 billion deposit into the state's rainy day fund and making an additional $200 million payment into the severely underfunded pension system. Critics have dismissed the proposal as "gimmickry aimed at winning votes in a tough campaign season" and stated the Democrats excluded GOP lawmakers from budget negotiations while ignoring the GOP proposed budget.
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ICYMI: Controlled Substance License Holders - Ensure Your Registration with Prescription Monitoring Program
In compliance with state law, the Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program (ILPMP) will be working with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to ensure all Illinois controlled substance licensees are registered with the ILPMP. ODs who have been identified as not registered with ILPMP will be sent a letter notifying them that they must register. The list of non-registered controlled substance license holders will be shared with IDFPR for further disciplinary action, if needed.
Not sure if you're registered? ILPMP has a list of FAQs to assist doctors in finding if they have a profile and how to use the system. For more information on ILPMP, please email Jackie DeNardo and Jen Erickson with the ILPMP program.
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Masks Continue to be Required in Healthcare
In a February 28 Executive Order, the Pritzker administration outlined settings where masks would continue to be required, which includes healthcare settings.
The governor's press release outlines the following situations where masking will continue to be required:
- Healthcare Settings
- Long Term Care Facilities
- Congregate Settings (prisons, shelters, etc.)
- On planes, trains, buses, and other forms of public transportation and in transportation hubs such as airports, and train and bus stations
Masking requirements are also outlined in an FAQ here.
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Reminder: Executive Order on Vaccine/Testing Mandate
As a reminder, the Executive Order mandating that all health care workers must either be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly (at minimum) testing for COVID-19 is still in effect. Employers must either maintain proof of vaccination status or proof of weekly negative COVID-19 tests in their personnel files.
Click here for a Q&A issued by the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
Click here for information about a COVID-19 saliva testing program through ArcticDX
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Public Health Officials Announce 10,786 New Cases of Coronavirus Disease Over the Past Week
IDPH Advises the Public to Remain Vigilant; the Best Way to Protect Oneself and Others is to Get Vaccinated and Remain Up-to-date with Vaccines
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 10,786 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 71 deaths since April 1, 2022.
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 3,080,436 cases, including 33,465 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois since the beginning of the pandemic. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. Since April 1, 2022, laboratories have reported 505,189 specimens tested for a total of 57,898,053 since the beginning of the pandemic.
As of last night, 502 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 62 patients were in the ICU and 24 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.
A total of 21,509,463 vaccines have been administered in Illinois. The seven-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 19,926 doses. Since April 1, 2022, 139,480 doses were reported administered in Illinois. Of Illinois’ total population, more than 76% has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, more than 68% of Illinois’ total population is fully vaccinated, and more than 50% is boosted according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data indicates that the risk of hospitalization and severe outcomes from COVID-19 is much higher for unvaccinated people than for those who are up to date on their vaccinations.
The preliminary seven-day statewide case rate is 85 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 Illinoisans. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total tests from April 1– 7, 2022 is 2.1%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from April 1-7, 2022 is 2.3%.
The case rates for COVID-19 are no longer declining and are rising in some areas of the state and have plateaued in other areas over the last 2 weeks. However, hospitalizations and deaths continue to remain low at this point in time. Given that the spread of COVID-19 is not showing signs of further waning, it is critically important that those who continue to be at high risk for serious illness take the following precautions:
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Getting vaccinated and staying up-to-date on recommended booster shots is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones and friends.
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If you are in an area with rising COVID-19 infections, wear a mask if entering indoors spaces with other people present and consider avoiding large gatherings.
- Stick to well-ventilated areas if you are not wearing a mask indoors around others people.
- If you feel flu-like symptoms, self-isolate and stay home from work; and obtain a test as quickly as possible.
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If you test positive, talk to you provider immediately so you can get COVID-19 treatment within 5 days of starting to feel sick. Also, communicate about the positive result with any persons you have been in close contact within two days of falling sick or testing positive.
- Continue to frequently wash your hands and cover coughs and sneezes.
In addition, on March 29, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated guidance that authorized a second booster dose for certain segments of the population at least four months after the first booster dose. This applies to adults over 50 years of age, and to immunocompromised individuals over 12 years old. The CDC also recommended a second booster dose with an mRNA vaccine for all those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for both their primary dose and their first booster, four months after their first booster dose. Those who already received an mRNA booster dose after their initial Johnson and Johnson primary vaccine do not need an additional booster unless they are either over the age of 50 years or immunocompromised.
The State of Illinois remains strongly positioned to respond in the event of a new COVID-19 surge. The State stockpile of tests is nearly fully replenished, with more than 1.5 million rapid tests on hand, and a half a million more on the way in the coming weeks. The State has also instructed hospitals, schools, and local health departments to consider their current testing capacity and take all preparations necessary. The State is also in communication with pharmacies and healthcare providers about increasing their inventory of the various FDA-approved treatments in case of another surge. 99.4% of Illinoisans have a pharmacy or clinic providing or dispensing treatment within 20 miles of where they live.
Vaccination is the key to ending this pandemic. To find a COVID-19 vaccination location near you, go to www.vaccines.gov.
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FDA Advisors Struggle With Timeline For New COVID-19 Vaccines, Future Booster Strategy
The New York Times (4/6, LaFraniere) reports that during the “meeting of an expert advisory committee to the Food and Drug Administration,” HHS’ Division of Influenza and Emerging Infectious Diseases director Robert Johnson, PhD “outlined a tight time frame on Wednesday if the Biden administration hopes to have new coronavirus vaccines by the fall.” Similarly, FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research director Dr. Peter Marks “said the time frame was tightly compressed, with a possible decision needed by May or June.” The panel “grappled with what the U.S. coronavirus vaccine strategy should be for the rest of the year, amid growing evidence that new variants have eroded some of the existing vaccines’ power.”
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Why Young ODs Should Start Saving for Retirement Right Now
Saving for retirement might not be at the top of a young OD's list, but there are many compelling factors to make it a priority right now. There are multiple reasons it could be advantageous for a young OD to plan for their retirement at this stage in their career.
5 reasons a young OD should start saving for retirement immediately:
- Creating a plan now can allow for retirement at an earlier age.
- Saving now can be easier without additional financial responsibilities (such as children, mortgage payments, saving for college, etc.)
- Saving now will allow interest to accumulate and provide more money in return.
- Contributing to a retirement savings account now will diversify retirement savings so that an OD isn’t limited to living on Social Security benefits in the future.
- Being an AOA member allows for easy access to a complimentary consultation.
One of our specialists can help you explore a retirement strategy. You can receive help with identifying your goals, evaluating your savings plan, devising tax-efficient strategies, and much more. Schedule a complimentary consultation today.
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THANK YOU TO OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS! |
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