MSD has also recognized Dr. Rattay's dedicated work for the citizens of Delaware by honoring her with two special recognition awards (2012 and 2018) and the President's Award in 2020. Read more.

Senate Bill 120 (SB 120) reforms the Primary Care system in Delaware. As MSD noted in our recent Call to Action communication, SB 120 went before the Senate Executive Committee on Wednesday, April 28th. Thanks to all who contacted members of the Senate Executive Committee and those who gave their time to testify, the bill has been released from the Senate Executive Committee and will now go to the Senate Finance Committee. Read the bill and bill progress.

President Biden has signed into law a measure extending the 2% Medicare sequester moratorium that was set to expire April 1. The new moratorium extension expires on January 1, 2022. This is an important move as noted by AMA President Susan R. Bailey, MD in an op-ed published in The Hill, "In-person patient visits to physician offices plummeted last year, and physicians saw revenue drop by an average of 32%, according to an AMA survey conducted last summer. About one in every five physicians saw revenue collapse of 50% or more, and more than eight in 10 physicians said revenue still has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels." Read more.

Licensed primary care clinicians in eligible disciplines can receive loan repayment assistance through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program. In exchange for loan repayment, you serve at least two years of service at an NHSC-approved site in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). A record number of clinicians were awarded this year due to additional funding through the Biden Administration's American Rescue Plan.

The application deadline for the NHSC Loan Repayment Program has been extended through May 27 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Get specific details on eligibility and how to apply on the NHSC website.

Delaware operates a State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) with the Delaware Health Care Commission serving as the lead administrative entity for the program, collaborating with the U.S. Department of Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the National Health Services Corps to establish program parameters and guidelines. SLRP strives to create healthier communities by recruiting and retaining quality health care professionals to practice in rural and urban settings designated as HPSAs. The program offers financial assistance for verifiable educational loans to qualified dental, behavior/mental health, and primary care professionals for a minimum of two consecutive years of full-time (40 hours per week) or half-time (20-39 hours per week) service in shortage areas across the State. Learn more about Delaware's SLRP!

The Delaware Health Resources Board, which operates the Certificate of Public Review that oversees applications for new health care services or facilities, has been criticized for its operations and effectiveness. The Board has an impact on which services are offered where, and what is paid for health care and health insurance. A March 2021 report recommended major structural changes to the Board.

On Tuesday, the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee (JLOSC) approved all staff recommendations to include: continue the Health Resources Board; restructure the Board to an advisory capacity; make revisions to the statute (Board composition, quorum requirements, activities subject to review, procedures for review, review considerations, and charity care); create a utilization survey to track expenses and costs; conduct a state-wide Health Care Facility Utilization and Cost Study every five years; and submit progress reports September 1 and December 1.

Quality Insights has made available a Provider Flyer to learn about the HHA BPSM program, participant requirements, and program referral details, as well as providing Patient and Delaware State Employees flyers explaining program features, requirements, and contact information for participation. If you would like additional information about this program or are interested in enrolling, call (302) 208-9097 or email DHSS_DPH_HHA@delaware.gov.

On Tuesday the Governor announced that he amended the State of Emergency Order suspending the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) masking regulations, which will now allow high school athletes who play outside sports to take off their masks during active engaged practice or gameplay on the field, and that restaurants can serve outdoor tables of ten, previously limited to six. There was no change to the restaurant indoor dining rules. Also included in the amendment are changes to cleaning protocols reflecting the scientific community's understanding about how the virus is spread. Read the press release.

For the purposes of this guidance, the CDC considers people fully vaccinated for COVID-19 greater than two weeks after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) or greater than two weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson/Janssen). The guidance applies to COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Read the updated CDC guidance.

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) website helps to navigate opportunities available to receive COVID-19 vaccine. The page includes information on locations for walk-in clinics, hospital self-scheduling links, and state-coordinated events for this week.

A flyer is available from DPH that displays walk-in COVID-19 vaccination hours for DPH clinics (Spanish version of flyer). Pfizer, which is approved for use by 16 & 17 year olds, is being offered, and second dose appointments may be scheduled on-site or can be a walk-in for those as well. Read the press release on walk-in clinics.

The Medical Society of Delaware is actively involved in several COVID-19 task forces with the Division of Public Health (DPH) and the Office of the Governor. In order to keep our members current with the latest information, we are sharing the frequently asked questions DPH and Governor Carney's office fielded this week along with important answers to those questions. Please share this information broadly with your patients and contacts. Read this week's vaccine questions.

For the latest Delaware COVID-19 statistics, visit the Division of Public Health My Healthy Community data portal. Information includes Delaware's key public health metrics on confirmed cases, total deaths, number of current hospitalizations, and new admissions, as well as testing and vaccination statistics. Updates to the site are usually completed early afternoon each day.

In light of the cancellation of in-person events, MSD kicked off a successful virtual member engagement opportunity on Wednesday, April 28th. MSD members were invited to participate in a Zoom meet and greet and spent the hour discussing the activities of our three most active committees. Committee Chairs, Richard W. Henderson, MD (Government Affairs Committee), John J. Goodill, MD (Committee on Ethics), Cedric T. Barnes, DO (heading up a new subcommittee on diversity under the Committee on Ethics), and Jayshree P. Tailor, MD (School Health Subcommittee) provided an overview of their respective committees, explained past accomplishments, future goals, and how each committee was supporting MSD's strategic plan. New and established physician and resident members participated in lively discussion and learned how they can become involved through committee membership.

Another similar event is being planned for September. We hope you consider this next opportunity to network with fellow colleagues and learn of the important work being done through MSD committees! Look for more information in the coming months on how to register for our next event.

Join MSD for a virtual telemedicine 101 presentation on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. The session is presented by Joanne C. Brice, MD, FACP, Medical Director of Telemedicine, ChristianaCare Health Services. For more information and to register. See flyer.

The 2021 Primary Care Provider Recruitment Conference will be held on Tuesday, May 18 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Learn new information about state and federal incentive programs such as State Loan Repayment, J-1, and National Health Service Corps; primary care, dental, and mental health workforce capacity research; feedback from medical students and resident physicians in training in Delaware; the new Graduate Medical Education programs in Southern Delaware; and provider recruitment and retention strategies to navigate in the new virtual world. Read more. Register.

MSD is pleased to highlight another of its 2021 Premier Educational Partners, Diamond State Financial Group. Diamond State Financial Group helps manage MSD’s 401k Multiple Employer Plan (MEP). It was designed to help members join together for pricing, but keep practices separate for their own plan design. 

3 Key reasons to consider using: Reduce administrative costs, reduce administrative duties, and reduce fiduciary responsibilities. For more information.

If you know someone interested in joining the Medical Society of Delaware, please contact Michelle Seymour at (302) 224-4905 or Michelle.Seymour@medsocdel.org.

MSD members are afforded a seven-day review period from the date of this publication to comment regarding an applicant applying for membership. Please contact Michelle Seymour at (302) 224-4905 or Michelle.Seymour@medsocdel.org with any questions or concerns.