WASHTENAW COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY
Legislative action & community outreach since 1827
The WCMS E-Newsletter is a bimonthly publication highlighting major medical, public health, and community issues affecting physician and medical student leaders in Washtenaw County. Distribution is a unique benefit of membership. To learn more about WCMS' member benefits, please follow this link.
COVID-19 TESTING & VACCINE STATUS
Testing Summary (Current as of April 28):
  • Washtenaw County COVID-19 Case Status
  • Confirmed & Probable Cases - 25,282
  • Total Deaths - 269
  • 2 week snapshot (April 8-April 21): 2,118 cases and 3.7% weekly test positivity rate
  • Looking for COVID-19 testing sites in Washtenaw County? Follow this link.
  • Michigan COVID-19 Case Status
  • Confirmed Cases - 928,407
  • Total Deaths - 18,600
  • Looking for COVID-19 testing sites in Michigan? Follow this link.

Vaccination Summary (Current as of April 27):
  • Washtenaw County Vaccine Status (Region 2S)
  • 365,565 vaccines distributed (Pfizer - 250,965 / Moderna - 97,500 / Johnson & Johnson - 17,100)
  • 301,210 vaccines administered
  • 180,085 1st dose
  • 121,125 2nd dose
  • Anyone 16+ who lives or works in Washtenaw County is eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment with the Washtenaw County Health Department by following this link.
  • Michigan Vaccine Status
  • 9,024,875 vaccines distributed (Pfizer - 4,731,675 / Moderna - 3,768,100 / Johnson & Johnson - 525,100)
  • 6,657,997 vaccines administered
  • 3,962,768 1st dose
  • 2,695,229 2nd dose
  • Michigan Residents Vaccinated: 2,907,511 - 35.9% of the population
  • To find a COVID-19 vaccine in the State of Michigan, please follow this link.
NEWS & STORIES
LEGISLATIVE ACTION: Your Help is Needed on these Items
Follow the below links to the CQ Engage site and send pre-populated messages on these important legislative issues.

Write your Senator Regarding HB 4359: CRNA Expansion
Despite strong opposition from the physician community, on March 24, the Michigan House of Representatives passed House Bill 4359, dangerous legislation that would expand the scope of practice for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). Under the bill, nurses who administer anesthetics would no longer be required to be supervised by a physician and would be solely responsible for the entire anesthesia plan and the administration of related care. With the bill now under consideration by the Senate Health Policy and Human Services Committee, Michigan legislators need to hear from physicians like you. Please click here to contact your Senator and urge them to preserve safe patient care by opposing House Bill 4359.

Protect Michigan's Patients by Opposing HB 4355: Telemedicine Licensing and Oversight Requirements
On March 24, the Michigan House of Representatives narrowly passed House Bill 4355, legislation that would allow out-of-state doctors to treat Michigan patients via telemedicine without a Michigan license or oversight requirements. If this bill becomes law in its current form, large companies could force many practices out of business, ultimately reducing the quality of care for patients and placing Michigan’s health care market at a competitive disadvantage. The bill is now under consideration by the Senate Health Policy & Human Services Committee, and while MSMS is seeking amendments to narrow the scope of the bill to limited situations, we remain opposed to HB 4355 as it is currently written. Please click here to contact your Senator and urge them to maintain the quality of care and protect Michigan’s patients by opposing House Bill 4355.

Keep Up-to-Date on Prior Authorization Reform Legislation, SB 247, Health Can't Wait
SB 247 introduces new transparency and clinical validity requirements that would protect Michigan patients from costly and dangerous delays in access to health care. The legislation is the reintroduction of prior authorization reform, which previously took the form of SB 612 during the last legislative session. The Health Can’t Wait Act would establish:
  • Transparency – Insurance company prior authorization requirements will be published on the insurer’s website in detail and in easily understandable language, and that aggregated information about prior authorization approval and denials are made publicly available.
  • Clinical validity – Clinical review criteria is based on current peer-reviewed evidence and individuals with a financial stake in the outcome of prior authorization decisions are prohibited from the decision making process.
  • Fairness for patients – Urgent and non-urgent prior authorization requests must be acted upon in a timely manner and clinicians and patients are properly notified of new or amended prior authorization requirements.
Action alerts are expected on SB 247 soon. In the meantime, consider submitting a personal story on the Health Can't Wait website here.
SafeHaven™ now Offering Michigan Physicians & Health Care Providers Resources to Manage Stress and Burnout

In an effort to better serve and support clinicians struggling with stress, burnout and the effects of COVID-19, the Michigan State Medical Society has launched SafeHaven™, a comprehensive and confidential physician and health care provider well-being program offering clinicians with the resources and support they need to address career fatigue and behavioral health concerns.

SafeHaven™ resources are available to providers and their families and include the following:
  • In-the-moment telephonic support, available 24/7.
  • Counseling sessions.
  • Peer coaching.
  • Legal and financial consultations and resources, available 24/7.
  • WorkLife Concierge—a virtual assistant to help with tasks, available 24/7.
  • VITAL WorkLife App providing mobile access to SafeHaven™ resources.

For more information about SafeHaven™, please visit MSMS.org/SafeHaven.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Launches the We Treat Hep C Campaign and Hepatitis C Elimination Plan

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is excited to announce the release of the state’s Hepatitis C Elimination Plan and launch of the We Treat Hep C Initiative. This is significant as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has expanded their guidance to recommend universal hepatitis C testing for all adults 18 years and older, and among all pregnant women during every pregnancy.

The We Treat Hep C Initiative aims to make curative hepatitis C treatment more accessible by removing barriers to prescribing. Through this initiative, MDHHS has entered into an agreement with AbbVie, the manufacturer of the HCV direct-acting antiviral MAVYRET ®, to make treatment available to all Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries. Starting April 1, Michigan Medicaid is removing prior authorization requirements for the preferred HCV medication, MAVYRET®.

  • AbbVie is hosting two statewide broadcasts on their hepatitis C medication, MAVYRET®, and one general education webinar on the evolving hepatitis C epidemic. To learn more and how to register, click here (under Training and Resources).
  • May 3, 2021 at 2:00 - 3:00 pm ET - Coordinating Hepatitis C and HIV Treatment in Primary Care Training hosted by the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium and the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center. Registration is free and 1 CNE will be offered. To learn more and register, click here.

For more information, updates, and resources, please visit www.Mi.gov/WeTreatHepC or contact the MDHHS Viral Hepatitis Unit at MDHHS-Hepatitis@michigan.gov.
EVENTS & IMPORTANT DATES
WCMS COVID-19 Workgroup: Thursday, May 6 at 6:00 PM

Since March, WCMS has convened regular COVID-19 teleconferences to discuss resource allocation, emergency preparedness, and tracking and tracing among Washtenaw's health systems and physician leaders. The workgroup is led by University of Michigan infectious diseases specialist and WCMS Executive Council member Sandro Cinti, MD. The workgroup also receives updates and modeling data from UM Public Health epidemiologists.

All interested WCMS members are encouraged to join the next virtual meeting on Thursday, May 6 from 6:00-7:00 PM. Please contact the Society Office for login credentials.
WCMS Legislative Committee: Monday, May 10 at 7:30 AM

WCMS members are encouraged to join the second virtual Legislative Committee meeting of 2021 on Monday, May 10 from 7:30-9:00 AM.

Legislators that typically attend WCMS Legislative Committee meetings include:
  • Congresswoman Debbie Dingell
  • State Senator Jeff Irwin
  • House Leader Donna Lasinski
  • State Representative Felicia Brabec
  • State Representative Yousef Rabhi

Committee members and legislators will be discussing the medical societies' legislative priorities including: COVID-19, telemedicine, prior authorization reform, scope of practice, and other critical community issues.

All WCMS members are welcome to attend and submit items for discussion. To request virtual meeting access, please contact the Society Office.
MSMS House of Delegates General Session on Saturday, May 1

The House of Delegates is the official policy-making body of the Michigan State Medical Society. Resolutions and Board Action Reports are the vehicles used to debate and determine the policies, priorities, and direction of the medical societies. MSMS will hold a live, virtual general session with Officer Speeches and the Candidate Forum on Saturday, May 1 for those interested in participating. 

2021 MSMS House of Delegates Timeline:
  • Virtual Officer Speeches and Candidate Forum (Optional): May 1, 9:00 – 10:30 am
  • Post Reference Committee Report and Online Voting: April 30 – May 16
  • Candidate Voting (if contested): May 1 – May 16
  • Vote on Extractions (majority needed for tabling): May 17 - 21
  • Post final report: May 24 - 28

For information on how to join the General Session or to access additional HOD information, please click here.
Ascension St. John Hospital Event: Update in Radiology 2021, Virtual Zoom Webinar on May 20

This course will provide primary care physicians and other health care providers with an update in Radiology.

Program Objectives:
  • Review artificial intelligence in radiology
  • Update on lung cancer screening
  • Discuss current prostate MRI techniques
  • Overview of Pediatric GI emergency
  • Overview of Emergency Radiology Head and neck
  • Learn the imaging of COVID 19 pneumonia from acute to chronic lung disease
  • Cover stroke update.
  • Review Vascular Malformation Imperforate Rectum

Accreditation
Ascension St. John Hospital is accredited by the Michigan State Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Ascension St. John Hospital designates this live activity for a maximum of 3.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Application for CME credit has been filed with the American Academy of Family Physicians. Determination of credit is pending.

For more information and to register, please follow this link.
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
Call for Leaders

WCMS at the MSMS House of Delegates
The House of Delegates (HOD) is the official policy-making body of MSMS. Resolutions are the vehicles used to debate and determine the policies, priorities, and direction of MSMS. Each year, physician and medical student members serve as delegates, review resolutions, testify in reference committees, and vote on important policy decisions. WCMS is allocated 13 delegate slots in 2021.

WCMS Executive Council
The Executive Council is the voting body that supervises the function and activities of WCMS. Council members determine annual events, legislative priorities, and community outreach directives. The Executive Council now meets virtually the first Thursday of each month.

WCMS Committees and Task Forces
Each committee meets approximately three-four times annually and members are simply asked to share a passion for the subject and interest in learning skills in the field.
  • Environmental/Climate Change Task Force
  • Finance Committee
  • Legislative Committee
  • Membership Committee
  • Programming Committee

To apply and learn more about WCMS leadership opportunities, please follow this link.
Don't Forget to Renew Your WCMS/MSMS 2021 Membership

Membership to WCMS and MSMS runs on a calendar basis (January-December). If you have not yet renewed your 2021 membership, please click here to continue receiving important member benefits, information, and news.

If you need help with your username or password, or would like to renew over the phone, please call the MSMS Membership Department: (517) 336-5716.

WCMS and MSMS are here to help throughout your career in medicine. We are proud to serve you and keep you connected with legislators, public health experts, and colleagues. Our staff, tools, and resources are available to you around the clock.
*Reference to any specific 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 medical advice, endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the Washtenaw County Medical Society.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR MEMBERSHIP AND SUPPORT OF WCMS!
The Washtenaw County Medical Society has been the leading physician medical association for legislative action and community outreach since 1827. WCMS works together with the Michigan State Medical Society to optimize patient, physician, and community well-being through professional support; public health activism; and advocacy for excellence in patient care.