I hope this finds you all well and getting ready to prepare for a safe and enjoyable holiday season with friends and family.
On August 24th, we enjoyed a beautiful night at Southpointe Golf Club for our summer social. The weather cooperated and a good time was had by all who attended. It was our first in-person event in quite some time, and it was great to get together with friends and colleagues and catch up.
Once more this year, the PA House of Delegates was virtual at the end of October, with expanded capabilities to be “heard” from the floor. Drs. Jennifer Lewis, Lisa Goss and Mylaina Sherwood represented our area, as was the case last year. There were significant improvements in virtual parliamentary procedures, making it a well-run and efficient HOD. I encourage you to look at topics covered at the PA Medical Society website at: https://www.pamedsoc.org/ .
Finally, we will holding a virtual CME on December 4th on safe opioid prescribing practices that will satisfy Pennsylvania’s mandatory CME on this topic for licensure renewal. It is titled, “Long Term Prescribing Practices, A Warm Handoff Review, and Updates in Opioids.” Be sure to check your email for details!
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In Good Health,
Lisa Goss, M.D.
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ADVOCACY UPDATE FROM PAMED |
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Quarterly Legislative Update
October 1, 2021
Return to Harrisburg
The 3rd quarter is typically the "quietest” time of the legislative year as there is a long break in session during the months of July and August, followed by a shortened September session scheduled post the Labor Day holiday. Both chambers of the Pennsylvania General Assembly returned to Harrisburg to continue work in the 2021 Regular Session. The legislature is currently in year one of the two-year legislative session and will now have another condensed schedule as they have a short window before the upcoming election cycle taking place on Tuesday, November 2, 2021.
Despite the limited number of session days, the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) still saw a few priority issues get some attention and advance in the legislative process. Most notably, legislation to streamline the process through which physicians must navigate on behalf of their physician assistants (PAs) received final passage and was signed into law by the Governor. These were SB397-398 (Pittman – 41st Senate District) and were signed into law as Act 78 of 2021. The stakeholder process leading to the final passage of this legislation included the broader provider community across the Commonwealth and the Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania. Specifically, these bills significantly decrease the “start-up” time required to employ a PA by no longer requiring Medical or Osteopathic Board approval of PA agreements. However, the boards will be required each year to review 10% of agreements filed after the bill’s passage. The measure will also allow physicians to determine the degree of oversight they wish to employ over their PAs as it relates to medical chart reviews, though the legislation continues to require a 12-month 100% chart review for new PAs entering the workforce and for those who may be changing medical specialties. Neither bill expands a PA’s scope of practice, nor diminishes a physician’s responsibility to appropriately supervise the care PAs are providing to patients.
While we often report on the legislation that is front and center and “moving” through the legislative process, PAMED’s advocacy goes beyond the bills that get voted. During much of the time leading up to the legislature’s return, PAMED’s advocacy team focused intensely on a proposed bill to allow expanded access to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). Having conducted multiple district visits to meet legislators and having PAMED physician leaders directly engage, among other efforts, at this time we have yet to see this legislation advance through the legislative process.
Other bills that PAMED is following through the law-making process include:
· House Bill 245 (PAMED supports) – Legislation to modernize the process by which International Medical Graduates (IMGs) become licensed. (Passed out of Senate Consumer Protection & Prof. Licensure)
· House Bill 1082 (PAMED supports) – An effort to establish an education program for providers on early diagnosis of dementia and to incorporate information about the disease into existing public health outreach programs. (Passed out of Senate Aging and Youth; awaiting final consideration)
· House Bill 1774 (PAMED supports) – This was necessary legislation to extend the sunset date for the Achieving Better Care by Monitoring All Prescriptions Program. (Signed into law by the Governor as Act 72 of 2021)
While the legislation listed above reflects PAMED’s legislative efforts and the efforts of engaged physicians, there are several bills that we continue to oppose and actively monitor. It is important for legislators to hear from their physician constituents on all these pieces of legislation to either thank them or explain why specific legislation is not in the best interest of patient care.
PAMED is closely monitoring and engaging in the following:
· Senate Bill 225 (PAMED supports) –This bill is a multi-session effort to reform prior authorization. Simply, this bill streamlines and standardizes the process of prior authorization of medical services in the Commonwealth. PAMED continues to engage with a broad provider coalition to advocate for the advancement of this legislation, after being introduced for the fourth consecutive legislative session. This bill has been voted favorably out of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee and is awaiting further action by the full Senate.
· House Bill 681 (PAMED supports) – Another long-discussed issue, restrictive covenants in physician employment contracts, this legislation aims to set parameters for when restrictive covenants are utilized and seeks to limit them in situations where they are deemed not appropriate. Having advanced overwhelming out of the House Health Committee with bi-partisan agreement on pursuing a “middle ground approach” this legislation is awaiting final approval from the full House.
PAMED encourages physicians to set aside time to reach out to their local legislators and begin to develop a personal relationship. For those who already know their representative or senator, it is a good time to simply touch base. The first lesson in effective advocacy is to avoid asking for help at your first meeting with lawmakers. Physicians interested in engaging in the issues above, or on any legislative proposal, are encouraged to reach out to PAMED’s Government Relations staff for assistance at 800-228-7823.
Stay up to date on PAMED’s legislative priorities
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HOUSE OF DELEGATES UPDATE |
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2021 House of Delegates Summary
Mylaina Sherwood, MD
Washington County Medical Society Treasurer
The Pennsylvania House of Delegates (HOD) met virtually the weekend of October 29th and 30th, 2021. Washington County was represented this year by Lisa Goss, M.D., Washington County President; Jennifer Lewis, M.D., Washington County immediate past president; and Mylaina Sherwood, M.D., Washington County Treasurer.
Prior to the HOD, there are committees called “Reference Committees” that are tasked with reviewing dedicated resolutions and hearing testimony regarding those resolutions. The committees then discuss these data and make recommendations to the HOD. There were a total of 32 resolutions reviewed. The process at the HOD involves either adopting, amending, referring, not adopting, or recommending for filing the various resolutions. The reference committee reports and resolutions are all available for your review here: https://www.pamedsoc.org/house-of-delegates/resolutions/virtual-testimony.
There was spirited discussion about multiple resolutions, made more entertaining to all by the virtual etiquette of attendees. A two-thirds vote of the delegates present and voting is required for adoption.
The following resolutions were not adopted: Remove PA Medical Society Opposition to Single Payer (Resolution #21-305), Industrial Livestock (Resolution #21-401), Titular Transparency (Resolution #21-405), Creating a New Reference Committee Dealing with Finances (Resolution #21-501), Data Sharing and Intake (Resolution #21-502), Membership Dues (Resolution #21-503), Sale and Construction of PA MED Headquarters Building (Resolution #21-504), CCC Transparency and HOD Oversight Responsibility (Resolution #21-505), and Documentation of PAMED Endorsements (Resolution #21-507). This means that the delegates determined that the resolution was not something that should be pursued at that time.
There were some resolutions that were referred for further study, meaning that over the next year select members of the House of Delegates would dedicate time to compile more data/information specific to those topics. These included: Women’s Preventative Services Initiative (Resolution #21-206), Racial Equity and Sars-CoV-2 spike protein (Resolution #21-209), Pro-competition Clause for MOC (Resolution #21-402), Staffing Requirements in Nursing Homes (Resolution #21-406), and Imported Beef (Resolution #21-410).
Some resolutions were adopted without any amendments being made to them, meaning that the reference committees and the delegates felt that resolutions were relevant and needed no changes.
The following resolutions were adopted with some amendment: The Syringe Service Program (Resolution #21-201), Syringe Exchange Programs (Resolution #21-205), Expanded Access to Buprenorphine (Resolution #21-404), Medical Use of Psilocybin (Resolution #21-407), and PAMED Support for Women’s Reproductive Rights (Resolution #21-409).
Next year’s House of Delegates will be October 21-23, 2022. Please reach out to any of the Washington County Medical Society officers for more information on attending. We would be excited to have you help represent our medical community with us next year!
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WCMS ENJOYED FIRST IN-PERSON EVENT |
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WCMS members enjoyed the Society’s first in-person event since March of 2020 on August 24. Members reunited at Southpointe Country Club and enjoyed great food and even better company!
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Long Term Prescribing Practices, a Warm Handoff Review & Updates in Opioids
A Virtual Meeting | December 4, 2021 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Earn up to 3.0 AMA PRS Category 1 Credit(s) when you join us virtually for an interactive talk on Opioids with the Quality Insights Team!
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8:30 am - 8:35 am
8:35 am - 9:35 am
9:35 am - 9:40 am
9:40 am - 10:40 am
10:40 am - 11:45 am
11:45 am - 12:00 pm
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Welcome/Opening Remarks
Opioid Prescribing Update
John P. Gallagher, MD Rabecca Dase, Practice Transformation Specialist, Quality Insights Amy Porter, Practice Transformation Specialist, Quality Insights Jill Fellure, Assistant Project Coordinator, Quality Insights
Evaluation Break
Referral to Treatment for Substance Use Disorder Related to Opioid Use
John P. Gallagher, MD Rabecca Dase, Practice Transformation Specialist, Quality Insights Amy Porter, Practice Transformation Specialist, Quality Insights Jill Fellure, Assistant Project Coordinator, Quality Insights
Evaluation Break
Effective Opioid Tapering Practices
John P. Gallagher, MD Rabecca Dase, Practice Transformation Specialist, Quality Insights Amy Porter, Practice Transformation Specialist, Quality Insights Jill Fellure, Assistant Project Coordinator, Quality Insights
Closing Remarks/Adjournment
Final Evaluation
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Accreditation and Credit Designation
In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
The University of Pittsburgh designates this live activity for a maximum of 3.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 3.0 contact hours. Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.
The University of Pittsburgh has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 3.0 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
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JOIN THE WCMS BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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The Washington County Medical Society Board of Directors is looking for new members to join the Board. Email Washington@pamedsoc.org if you are interested in joining the board or have questions about joining the board.
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