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Dear Colleagues,
At the October 2022 IMA House of Delegates in Sun Valley, resolution 207(22) was introduced. It requested that the IMA survey its members about their opinions on the recent changes regarding access to full reproductive healthcare in Idaho and current IMA policy on this topic. The resolution was ultimately referred to the Board of Trustees, which then voted to move forward with the opinion survey. The Board recognizes the flaws and limitations of opinion surveys as a policy tool, and thus, it is not meant to create IMA policy. Rather it is to assess the opinions of IMA members and determine any follow-up actions.
To ensure the survey questions were unbiased, it was modeled after a recent public opinion survey created by a reputable polling company, which was then approved by the Board. 379 members, or approximately 9% of the total IMA membership, participated in the survey. The survey was emailed to all IMA members on April 14th and closed on the morning of April 27th, with settings allowing only the email recipient to complete the survey. Thank you to all members who completed the survey.
Data was segmented into three categories:
- Voting Members (active physicians who are eligible to be delegates)
- Non-Voting Members (students, residents, retired physicians, NPs, and PAs who are not eligible to be delegates)
- All Respondents (the total of the previous two categories)
Click on the link below to view a copy of the survey results. Log on to the IMA website using your member username and password. If you need help with this step, please contact the IMA Membership Manager, Tracie Carney, at tracie@idmed.org. In order to keep the results confidential and limit the ability of third-party groups to mischaracterize the data, we are limiting exposure of the results to IMA members only.
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The Board interpreted the results to indicate that there was no compelling data for a significant change in policy or approach:
- The results support the IMA’s current position of neutrality regarding abortion.
- The results show strong support for existing IMA policy to protect the life and health of the mother, those pregnant as a result of rape and incest, and those diagnosed with nonviable pregnancies.
Thank you again for your participation in the survey. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can find contact information for IMA Board Members and your District Trustee here. If you need additional contact information, such as an email address, please reach out to IMA staff at rebecca@idmed.org
Sincerely,
IMA Board of Trustees
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Winmill Won't Reconsider Order Protecting Idaho ER Doctors From Abortion Prosecutions
Original Article by Idaho Capital Sun
A U.S. District Judge blocked part of Idaho's ban on abortions in August, following a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice. The ban applies to all stages of pregnancy and makes exceptions only for documented cases of rape and incest or to save the pregnant person's life. Attorneys within former Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden's office filed a motion to reconsider in late September, which remained open until January when Labrador took office.
Idaho Supreme Court Resolves ER Abortion Issues
As a result of the Idaho Supreme Court's ruling to uphold the state's abortion ban in early February, Labrador's office filed a brief arguing that the federal injunction was unnecessary because the verdict clarified that criminal penalties do not apply in situations involving ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, and other medical situations that are in gray zones.
Winmill's decision stated that abortion might be necessary for specific situations, such as water breaking or placental abruption, and touched on aspects of affirmative defense.
"In each of these scenarios, the stabilizing care EMTALA requires a physician to offer may include terminating a still-developing pregnancy covered under the Idaho Supreme Court's more limited definition of 'abortion,'" Winmill wrote. "Thus, excluding ectopic and other nonviable pregnancies from the total abortion ban does not negate the continuing need to enjoin the ban to the extent it still clearly conflicts with EMTALA."
Winmill's decision also touched on aspects of the affirmative defense from the original abortion ban. The Idaho Legislature passed HB 374 (legislation supported by IMA), which takes effect July 1. This legislation removes the affirmative defense.
Planned Parenthood Awaiting Lawsuit Decision Against Labrador
At the end of March, Labrador issued a legal opinion stating that abortion pills are included in Idaho's abortion ban. Medical professionals who supply them are subject to criminal penalties, including those who refer and prescribe the pills to pregnant patients across state lines.
Planned Parenthood and two Idaho doctors filed a lawsuit claiming that Labrador's opinion violated the First Amendment, due process, and the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution. Labrador rescinded the initial letter after the lawsuit was filed, but he has not confirmed that the legal advice was incorrect. However, his deputy attorneys argue that rescinding the original letter negates the basis for the lawsuit.
To view the original article, click the button below.
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Looking Forward as the Public Health Emergency Ends This week
by Elke Shaw-Tulloch, Division of Public Health
May 11 is the end of the federal Public Health Emergency declared to help combat COVID-19. This provides a great opportunity to reflect on the enormity and impacts of the pandemic as well as celebrate the rapid roll-out of public health protections, vaccines, therapeutics, testing, and so much more. It is also important to pause and honor the memory of over 1.2 million Americans and almost 5,500 Idahoans who have lost their lives related to COVID-19.
Idaho public health responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. Due to the nature of the response and the need to be nimble, we rapidly scaled up operations. We expanded testing operations, pursued virus sequencing, expanded disease investigation infrastructure, and swiftly and equitably distributed vaccines and therapeutics. We did this while maintaining baseline public health services and contending with waves of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, evolving scientific findings, and pandemic fatigue.
Now, as we look to the future through a lens of optimism, we must take the lessons we’ve learned and the challenges we’ve faced into the next chapter in our story. We've seen firsthand the devastating toll that a global pandemic can bring, but we've also seen the incredible resilience and strength of the human spirit, as evidenced by all of you. We've pulled through one of the most difficult times in recent history and have emerged from this crisis even stronger than before. We have proven that as Idahoans we can come together to overcome even the most challenging of situations.
As we move beyond the federal Public Health Emergency, it’s important to remember that our fight against COVID-19 is not yet over. The virus will continue to circulate in our communities, and we need to continue to provide resources and support to help all Idahoans make informed decisions about their health. Together, we will continue to promote the health and well-being of all Idahoans.
If you would like to read more, please click the button below.
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Dear Medical Providers of Idaho:
Since Roe v Wade was overturned, the Total Abortion Ban (TAB) has had a chilling effect on the medical community. Providers have been placed in the precarious position of balancing timely medical care with risking their licensure and facing legal action. While the 2023 Legislative Session has concluded, the IMA’s work is not done. We are continuing our effort to educate and inform elected officials, and we are asking for your help.
To demonstrate the negative impacts on healthcare, we are gathering de-identified summaries of cases. Your stories will be used to educate elected officials that medical providers with specialty training are best suited to help patients make difficult decisions about their pregnancy, health, and future fertility.
The privacy and protection of medical providers and their patients is paramount. The stories gathered are for educational purposes only and will not be shared on social media or any public audience. When stories are presented, they will be done so anonymously and with all identifying information removed.
The IMA thanks you for the vital role you play in this educational effort.
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AMA Tribute to
Medical School Class of 2023
Join AMA for the Biggest Medical School Graduate Celebration of 2023!
This virtual event will be hosted by Dr. Mike and feature Anthony Fauci, MD; CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, MD; AMA President Jack Resneck Jr., MD; and many more! Some of the nation’s most prominent names in medicine will share words of advice, encouragement and inspiration for new graduates.
When:
Sunday, May 21, 6:00pm - 7:00pm (MDT)
Register to view live, be eligible for a free, special-edition AMA lapel pin*
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AMA Backs Telehealth Prescriptions Adaptability by DEA
It was recently announced that the ability to prescribe controlled substances based on telehealth patient visits was set to expire on May 11th with the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. However, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has decided to extend the same policies that have been in place during COVID for an additional 6 months, until November 11, 2023. This extension was welcomed by the American Medical Association (AMA), which played a role in advocating for it by weighing in on the policy with various government entities, including the DEA and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. The DEA made this decision after receiving over 38,000 comment letters. The AMA has issued a statement commending this extension.
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Pre-order the 2023 IMA Directory of Idaho
Physicians Today!
Take advantage of this opportunity to get the most comprehensive Directory of Idaho physicians. Order your copy now!
As an IMA member, you can receive this complimentary Directory; additional copies can be purchased at a discounted price of $40. If you're not a member, the cost is $125.
The Directory includes the office address and telephone number of every physician currently practicing in Idaho, listings by location of practice and specialty, and a directory of Idaho hospitals. This information is only available here.
Your order will be shipped soon! To pre-order your 2023 Directory today, click the button below.
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JOIN HOLLAND & HART EVERY OTHER THURSDAY THROUGH AUGUST
Holland & Hart is pleased to announce the May–June schedule of their complimentary Healthcare Compliance Webinar Series. They will continue to host these webinars from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Mountain Daylight Time every other Thursday through August.
Holland & Hart's Healthcare Compliance Webinar Series is designed for professionals in the healthcare and life sciences industry. They will address compliance issues that frequently affect healthcare providers, hospitals and other facilities, and life science companies. The programs will provide an overview and update on critical laws and regulations as well as practical guidance for applying the laws.
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Topics
Thursday, May 25
12:00 - 1:00 pm MDT
Nondiscrimination
RSVP HERE
Thursday, June 8
12:00 - 1:00 pm MDT
HIPAA: Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification
RSVP HERE
Thursday, June 22
12:00 - 1:00 pm MDT
Information Blocking
RSVP HERE
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IMA Discounted 2024 Medical Coding Books, Order Yours Today!
The Idaho Medical Association is pleased to offer substantial discounts on resource materials for AMA and Optum360° books for your office. Pre-order your CPT®, HCPCS, ICD-10, and other resource materials today! The discounted Coder’s Bundle includes the 2024 CPT Professional Edition and the 2024 ICD-10-CM manual for one low price.
The 2024 Essential Reference Guide order form with the most popular choices is available on IMA Website for your convenience.
Please note that there is an $8.00 shipping and handling fee per book. However, we are willing to offer a 20% shipping discount for orders of five or more books. Sales tax is calculated on merchandise only and prior to adding shipping fees.
Pre-order your book(s) today! Books will be shipped to you when they are available from the publisher. (If available, exact arrival dates are listed on the order form).
Contact Rebecca (rebecca@idmed.org) at IMA with any questions or call (208) 344-7888 x101.
CPT ® is a registered trademark of American Medical Association
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Valor Health Family Medicine (Family Medicine Physician)
Valor Health has an excellent full-time employment opportunity for a Board Certified or Board Eligible Family Medicine physician to join a health system in a critical-access area in beautiful Emmett, Idaho, near Boise. This Family Medicine physician would be ingrained in a rural community and practice full-spectrum Family Medicine, including prenatal and post-natal care. They would practice in the clinic as a hospitalist and manage inpatient/swing bed (transitional care) patients. The clinic is conveniently located adjacent to the hospital and has convenient access to procedure rooms, labs, and X-rays. Onsite is also a fully staffed Urgent Care open from 8 am to 8 pm Monday through Saturday.
Requirements
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree.
- Successful completion of an accredited ACGME/AOA Family Medicine residency program.
- Eligible to obtain Idaho medical licensure to practice medicine, including controlled substance registration with the Idaho Boards of Pharmacy and the DEA.
- Eligible to participate and receive payments from Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance companies and be free of any OIG exclusions.
About Us
Valor Health is a growing physician-led group practice with seven full-time Family Medicine providers and a mix of specialty physicians who strive for excellence in quality and clinical care. We actively advocate for the community's health by providing vaccinations and pursuing PCHM certification with the NCQA. For more information on the great work underway in Emmett at Valor Health, check us out at http://www.valorhealth.org/.
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(208) 344-7888
alishia@idmed.org
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