WASHTENAW COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY
Legislative action & community outreach since 1827
Our COVID-19 Note
In the face of this pandemic, please lean on WCMS and know that you are not alone. We are committed to serving you and continue to advocate for your professional needs with decision makers around-the-clock. Thank you for all that you do.
Federal Aid Package Pending
Additional PPP Opportunities
Key federal leaders have made progress on a $482 billion aid package that would replenish the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and provide funding for hospitals facing financial shortfalls due to COVID-19.

Within the $310 million PPP aid package, $60 billion would be set aside specifically for smaller lending facilities. The first PPP funding allocation ran out within 14 days. This round will likely deplete quickly as well. Consider contacting local Washtenaw resources, like Ann Arbor SPARK for assistance as soon as possible. To find an eleigible lender in Washtenaw County, please click here .

Per Roll Call , the package will also:
  • provide $50 billion for emergency disaster loans
  • fund $10 billion for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (up to $10,000 each), and $2.1 billion for the administrative costs of running that program
  • release $75 billion to hospital and health care facilities treating COVID-19 patients, and
  • allocate $25 billion to facilitate and expand COVID-19 testing.

The U.S. House is expected to vote on this package as early as this Thursday, April 23. The White House has already indicated they would support the measure. More details will be available after an agreement is finalized.

The American Medical Association has created a physician practice financial relief guide with details on the federal programs created under the original CARES Act. To access WCMS' communication highlighting the CARES Act, support for physician practices, and student loan news, please click here .
MSMS Tele Town-hall on April 23
Q&A with CPAs
Join MSMS for this week's tele-town hall series on Thursday, April 23 aimed at helping members during the COVID-19 crisis. MSMS will host representatives from Maner Costerisan to discuss the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and answer financial questions. Questions may be submitted in advance or during the event to Rebecca Blake at rblake@msms.org . To register for this free event, please click here .

To access the first tele town-hall with guest speaker Rep. Fred Upton, please click here .
Free Mental Health Support Physician Call Line and Public Warmline
The Physician Support Line is a nation-wide service available for US physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. The line offers free and confidential peer support telehealth by volunteer psychiatrists. The line is available without appointment from 8:00 AM - 12:00 AM, 7 days a week. To start, call ( 888) 409-0141. For more information, follow this link .

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has launched a statewide warmline for Michiganders living with persistent mental health conditions. The warmline connects individuals with certified peer support specialists who have lived experiences of behavioral health issues, trauma or personal crises, and are trained to support and empower the callers. The warmline will operate seven days a week from 10:00 AM - 2:00 AM at ( 888) PEER-753 (888-733-7753) . To learn more, click here .
Free, Virtual Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder Course on April 25
Register for a free, eight-hour medication-assisted treatment (MAT) waiver training hosted by Central Michigan University College of Medicine through American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) on Saturday, April 25.

The ASAM Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder course covers all medications and treatments for opioid use disorder, and provides the required education needed to obtain the waiver to prescribe buprenorphine. ASAM is an approved provider by CSAT/SAMHSA of DATA 2000 training. ASAM designates this live activity for a maximum of 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ .

To register, please follow this link .
COVID-19 CME and Webinars
Survey Tracking and CME Opportunities
Per Governor Whitmer's Executive Order 2020-49, t he Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) department may recognize time worked responding to the COVID-19 emergency as hours toward continuing education (CME) courses or programs required for licensure. MSMS has designed a survey to assist members with tracking these hours. A summary of hours tracked will be provided once normal operations resume. To access the survey, please click here .

Members are asked to submit a new survey for each day spent directly responding to COVID-19 work, including: research, reading articles, listening to podcasts, discussing plans, and direct clinical care of COVID-19 patients. Applicable dates per the Governor of Michigan’s Executive Order cover March 17 - May 12, 2020. All hours must be submitted by June 1, 2020. For questions, please contact Brenda Marenich at bmarenich@msms.org or (517) 336-7580.

On-demand COVID-19 webinars with CME credit are available to members on topics such as:
COVID-19 Practice Survey
Information for Advocacy Efforts
The Michigan State Medical Society is asking member and non-member medical practices to complete this brief survey regarding the business impact of the COVID-19 crisis on their practices.

The information gathered will be used as guide for MSMS and WCMS advocacy efforts with the governor’s office, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and state and federal legislators to make them aware of the issues and challenges you’re currently facing, including changes in patient volumes, revenues, and staffing concerns.
*Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service, or the use of any trade, firm or corporation name is for the information and convenience of members, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the Washtenaw County Medical Society.
The WCMS Office is closed for unscheduled business through Friday, May 22. Virtual meetings will be scheduled when appropriate. To set up an appointment, or for questions, please contact the Society Office via email or call (734) 668-6241.