The Fall 2021 Bulletin Is Now Online
Perfect for this season of giving, the fall edition of the NCMS Bulletin magazine focuses on the work that physicians are doing beyond the walls of their practices. Learn more about your peers and their passions outside of their clinic walls, including:
- Stuart Levin, MD, FACP, FCCP, and his work with the city of Raleigh to build more walkable spaces and better health for his patients;
- Robert Majors, Jr., MD, Benjamin Ferndon, MD, and their fellow physician volunteers who share a love of gardening and the joy of offering healthy produce to the community;
- Kerianne Crockett, MD, and her legislative advocacy to deliver dignity to incarcerated women;
- Karen L. Smith, MD, FAAFP, and her tireless outreach efforts to vaccinate more people in the state against COVID-19; and
- David T. Tayloe, Jr., MD, FAAP, and his belief in the power of physician advocacy.
NCMS/NCMGMA Lunch & Learn Webinar: Legislative Update (11/16/2021)
Watch as Dave Horne, Josh Grant and Robert Shaw from Smith Anderson provide a year-end legislative update. Tune in to find out what happened this year at the NC General Assembly and what we're anticipating for 2022.
Presented by the North Carolina Medical Society Foundation in partnership with the North Carolina Medical Group Management Association.
KIPL Power Hour: Colorectal Cancer Screenings (10/22/2021)
In 2020, there was an estimated 104,610 new cases of colon cancer and 43,340 cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in the US according to the American Cancer Society. Despite ample research that show the impact of screening on the incidence of the diagnosis and improvement of survival, colorectal cancer is still the fourth leading cause of death in North Carolina. In addition, minorities and low-income patients have lower screening rates. With the Medicaid expansion, the aspiration is to increase screening across all groups. While there is no study that shows a direct correlation between Medicaid expansion and colorectal cancer care, simply having insurance means the patient is two times more likely to get colorectal cancer screening. Join us for this month’s Power Hour for an important conversation around this pressing topic with a group of experts and advocates including a former patient and stage 4 colon cancer survivor.
Political Pulse for October 22, 2021
Sue Ann Forrest, MPA, doesn’t have too much to report from the legislature this week, but she does have an important announcement to share. Watch this week’s Political Pulse for her update.
Our External Affairs Team:
Alan Skipper - [email protected]
Ashley Rodriguez - [email protected]
Kristen Spaduzzi - [email protected]
Political Pulse for Sept. 17, 2021
Director of Legislative Relations, Sue Ann Forrest, MPA, highlights some important events in this week's Political Pulse: today (Sept. 17) is National Physician Suicide Awareness Day. She also shares that registration is now open for the upcoming NCMS Virtual LEAD Health Care Conference. The Conference kicks off with a lively discussion among a panel of legislators on Thursday, Oct. 14. Sue Ann also offers the latest news on budget negotiations and a possible timetable for its release, as well as information on how you can become involved in legislative redistricting meetings across the state.
Related Links
National Physician Suicide Awareness Day website
NCMS 2021 Virtual LEAD Health Care Conference
House Redistricting Committee Upcoming Meeting Schedule
Political Pulse for Sept. 3, 2021
NCMS Director of Legislative Relations Sue Ann Forrest, MPA, thanks those who attended the Sept. 1st advocacy event with US Rep. Greg Murphy, MD, and NC Rep. Kristin Baker, MD, and also NCMS members who volunteered as experts for the WRAL hotline, answering viewers' questions on vaccinations. In addition, she provides an update on HB 608 (Dignity for Women Who are Incarcerated) and the slow-moving budget negotiation process. Be sure to watch this week's Political Pulse!
Political Pulse for August 27, 2021
It was a week of slow-moving negotiations on the budget process and of faster action on several healthcare-related bills. NCMS Director of Legislative Relations, Sue Ann Forrest, MPA, shares her summary of all of this week's legislative developments that could impact you and your patients.
In addition, Sue Ann invites you to attend "The Importance of Grassroots Advocacy – How You Can Make a Difference," on Sept. 1 at 6:00pm. This virtual NCMS event gives you a chance to hear from your physician colleagues who represent you and your profession at the state and national levels. NC Rep. Kristin Baker, MD, and US Rep. Greg Murphy, MD, will share their experiences and insights into physician engagement in advocacy.
Helpful Links in our NCMS Legislative Blog:
- SB 228: Allow Employers to Offer EPO Benefit Plans
- HB 608: Dignity for Women Who are Incarcerated Act
- SB 711: NC Compassionate Care Act
- House Budget Summary
- Senate Budget Summary
Political Pulse for August 13, 2021
The NC House released their budget this week and NCMS Director of Legislative Relations Sue Ann Forrest, MPA, offers the highlights that most impact health care. She also shares what's next in the budget process and provides an update on a couple of other bills that moved this week.
If you would like Sue Ann to speak at an upcoming meeting or event, please contact her at [email protected].
For the latest developments in the current session of the NCGA, visit our Legislative Blog.
Political Pulse for July 30, 2021
Additional Information:
- American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)
Health Related Draft Policies at ALEC that are being considered:
https://www.alec.org/task-force/health-and-human-services/ - NCMS Medicare Cuts Action Alert
https://app.muster.com/take-action/rCzdvpbZzC/ - Language on amending SB 257
Copay Accumulator Adjustment Programs
https://p2a.co/a7O1Aqa
Most North Carolina health insurers are now implementing “copay accumulator adjustment programs," which prohibit copay assistance from any third-party, including a church, foundation, GoFundMe, or copay card, from counting toward a patient’s annual deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.
This means any third-party copay assistance will reduce a patient or family's cost sharing burden, and means that copays are paid twice: once from copay assistance and again from the patient or family. It's not fair and only pads the pockets of health insurers and PBMs.
We must include protections against copay accumulator adjustment programs in Senate Bill 257, which is currently being considered by the NC General Assembly.
Sign on now to send a message to your North Carolina legislators to ask them to help patients afford lifesaving treatment. Feel free to edit your message with your own story or perspective in your own words.
WCMS Members Enjoy Sidecar Social Club at Booth Amphitheater
On July 16, about 38 WCMS doctors and their guests enjoyed a delightful summer evening of music by the Sidecar Social Club presented by the NC Symphony at the beautiful, wooded Booth Amphitheater in Cary. A cooling early drizzle cleared by showtime leaving a delightful summer breeze and the evening could not have been more delightful with good fellowship, food on the VIP deck, and beverage.
This was the first of a series of small group events being planned for the upcoming year. Previous events before being curtailed by COVID have included a guided tour of an exhibit at the NC Museum of History and a visit to the Raleigh Islamic Center. At least four more events are being planned for the coming year -- stay tuned for announcements.
Summer 2021 Bulletin Magazine Now Online
Happy summer! In this issue of the NCMS Bulletin we explore health behavior and an innovative approach to treating patients called lifestyle medicine.
Articles Included:
- "Lifestyle Medicine: Rethinking How to Treat Patients" featuring Andrew Nance, MD, DipABLM and Bonnie Coyle, MD, DipABLM
- "Health & Wellness Coaches: Partners on the Road to Changing Health Behaviors" featuring Simone Horvitz
- "Zumba at the Doctor’s Office" featuring Lourdes Pereda, MD
- "NCMS: Committed to a Healthy NC"
Remember to send any comments or ‘letters to the editor’ to Elaine Ellis, [email protected]. We like to hear your insights and thoughts on the topics presented and will share them – with your permission – in future issues.
NCMS Political Pulse for June 25, 2021
Sue Ann Forrest, MPA, NCMS Director of Legislative Relations, has delved into the details of the Senate budget that was released this week and shares an overview of items in the proposal that could impact health care in the state. Watch the Political Pulse to learn more about the Senate budget and get the latest updates on other legislative developments from the week.
Related Links:
View the NCMS Summary of the Senate Budget.
NCMS Political Pulse for June 18, 2021
NCMS Director of Legislative Relations Sue Ann Forrest, MPA, reports from the NC General Assembly regarding the latest estimate on the release of the Senate budget and shares other legislative developments.
Related information:
HB 96 - Allow Pharmacists to Admin. Injectable Drugs.
NCMS Political Pulse for June 11, 2021
Could a budget agreement be near? NCMS Director of Legislative Relations Sue Ann Forrest, MPA, shares the latest developments on budget negotiations, as well as news on several healthcare-related bills. Get the details in this week's Political Pulse.
For more details, visit the NCMS Legislative Blog www.ncmedsoc.org/currentsession
KIPL Power Hour: End of Life and Palliative Care (6/4/2021)
Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.
Learn more about this topic from our guests:
- Christine Khandelwal, DO - VP of Education and Strategic Outreach at Transitions LifeCare
- Rikki Hooper, MSN, Chief Clinical Officer, Four Seasons Care
- Lynn Bowlby, MD - Internal Medicine Specialist, Duke Health
- Michael Nichols, MD, PhD - Coastal Carolina Oncology Center - Radiation Oncology, Cervical Cancer
Additional End of Life/Palliative Care Resources
- Atul Gawande – Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
- Center for Advancing Palliative Care
- Advanced Care Planning from the NIH National Institute on Aging
- NCIOM Task Force on Serious Illness (PDF)
- NC Coalition for Compassionate Care
KIPL Power Hour: Mental Health and Indigenous Populations
In the US, 5.2 million Americans identify as American Indian or Alaska Native (2010 decennial census) which equates to 1.7% of the population. However, compared to all other groups, there are alarming health disparities among Native Americans in terms of life expectancy as well as death from chronic illness. Even more troubling: during 2019, 18.7% of Native adults experienced mental illness and the suicide rate among American Indians and Alaska Native youth, is 2.5 times higher than the rest of the country. Alcohol dependency rates are three times higher than the national average, and almost twenty percent of deaths are related to alcohol. Many suggest the traumatic historic context has caused the alarming rates of mental health illness, allowing the tragic and disgraceful history to cause intergenerational trauma in these communities. Join us for a conversation around mental health and indigenous populations as we bring much needed visibility to this epidemic.
Guests include:
Mehul Mankad, MD – CMO, Alliance Health/ 2017 President of NCPA
Sid Hosseini, DO, PhD – CMO Eastpoint LME/MCO
Kathleen Dunlap, MD - Psychiatrist in Cherokee
Richard Bunio, MD - Executive Medical Director at CIHA; President WCMS
Freida Saylor - Clinical Director of Behavioral Health Services at Cherokee Indian Hospital
View additional Power Hours...
KIPL Power Hour: Lifestyle Medicine and Nutrition (5/7/2021)
In the United States, health care costs are some of the most expensive in the world, however our health outcomes do not reflect that cost. This discrepancy shows an urgent need to focus on healthy behaviors and their impact on health outcomes. Lifestyle Medicine is one of the fastest emerging branches of medicine world-wide as an evidence-based approach to prevent, treat, and often reverse chronic disease.
Join us for this Power Hour as we continue our conversation around Lifestyle Medicine. Our guests include board certified lifestyle medicine physicians as well as scientists who will be talking about lifestyle medicine, promoting health and the importance of nutrition and phytonutrients in preventing disease.
Featured Guests:
- Bonnie S. Coyle, MD – Public Health Director, Cabarrus Health Alliance
- Mike Cowan, MD – Co-Founder, Ruckus Health
- Mary Ann Lila, PhD - Director, Plants for Human Health Institute, David H. Murdock Distinguished Professor, Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences
- David C. Nieman, DrPH, FACSM - professor in the Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, at Appalachian State University, and director of the Human Performance Lab at the North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC)
Additional Resources
- Boosting Immune Function with Polyphenols Nieman Lila
- Building better guidelines for healthy and sustainable diets 2020-2025 AJCN Willett Criticisms 2021
- NutritionFacts.org
NCMS Political Pulse for May 7, 2021
NCMS Director of Legislative Relations Sue Ann Forrest, MPA, provides the highlights of a busy week at the NC General Assembly. With crossover approaching, hundreds of bills were filed this week and a flurry of bills moved forward through the legislative process. Sue Ann shares which health care bills progressed and how you can reach out to your legislators on specific issues through our Action Alerts.
Please note you can always view the latest health care bill summaries and sign up for Action Alerts on our legislative blog: www.ncmedsoc.org/currentsession.
KIPL Power Hour: Healthy behaviors during and beyond the pandemic
The pandemic has impacted our lives and shaped new consumer behaviors, whether that is increasingly relying on drive-through services, re-thinking going to any crowded places or approach to health. Recent articles highlight the need to focus on the latter and examine potential changes with respect to health behaviors. Apart from changes in sleep, substance use, exercise routines and diet there are also alarming issues such as social determinants, racism and implicit biases that need to be part of the conversation. Join us for this Power Hour as we discuss the importance of clear communication with patients, provider assumptions versus patient understanding, and the fundamental importance of building trust in patient relationships.
Featured Power Hour guests:
Anu Rao-Patel, MD - Lead Medical Director, Care Management and Government Programs at Blue Cross Blue Shield NC
Cynthia M. Gary, MPH, PA-C - Johnston County Public Health Department
Michelle Hughes, MA, MSW - Executive Director, NC Child
KIPL Power Hour: Telehealth (Part 2 - 3/19/2021)
Due to COVID-19, telehealth is now a necessity, rather than a complementary service, to operate business across the healthcare spectrum. The CARES Act passed by Congress in March 2020 in response to COVID-19 included key provisions to eliminate geographical restrictions for telehealth use in Medicare Advantage plans and ultimately expand access to telehealth and other connected technology services. Additionally, in a response to promote telehealth services, many health plans waived cost-share requirements for their members, while expanding paid telehealth services to providers. With these shifts, telehealth companies were catapulted into the healthcare spotlight, and telemedicine has become big business.
Featured Power Hour Guests:
Steve North, MD – Vice President of Medical Operations and NC State Medical Director, Eleanor Health
Ken Dunham, MD – Psychiatrist, Kairos Medical Consulting; CMO Behavioral Health, Carolina Complete Health
Kathy Wibberly, PhD – Director, Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center
Matt Lastrina – Director of Telehealth, Carolina Complete Health
Lunch & Learn Webinar: Diabetes Prevention Program
More than 84 million Americans or 1 in 3 adults has prediabetes, and the majority of them don’t know they have it. Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions, and if prediabetes is left undetected and untreated, the progression to diabetes will continue to place a tremendous strain on physicians, clinical practices and health care costs associated with diabetes care and management. Through the statewide initiative in North Carolina to prevent type 2 diabetes called DiabetesFreeNC, physicians and care teams have an opportunity to support their patients with prediabetes with a free or low-cost, evidence-based National Diabetes Prevention Program.
This presentation featuring Dr. Karen Smith and NCMS Vice President of Rural Health Systems Franklin Walker, addresses the growing epidemic of type 2 diabetes in primary care and will discuss actions that physicians and care teams can take immediately to identify and manage their patients with prediabetes, including referral to an evidence-based lifestyle change program.
View additional Lunch & Learn Webinars
KIPL Power Hour: Black Maternal Health
In honor of Black Maternal Health Week (April 11th-17th), we focused this Power Hour on how statistics bear out a distinct health inequity in outcomes for black mothers and their infants.
Health inequity in the US has become more apparent during the pandemic, with COVID-19 disproportionately hitting populations of color. Statistics confirm similar health outcomes for this population in other areas like maternal health. The US has the worst maternal mortality rates overall compared to other developed countries, with black mothers at least three times more likely to die in childbirth than white mothers. Black babies have a mortality rate almost four times the rate of their non-Hispanic white counterparts.
Joining us to examine this issue are Power Hour guests:
- Michaela Penix, MPH – Director, Maternal Infant Health with the March of Dimes
- Venus Standard, MSN, CNM – 4Moms2Be (https://4moms2be.com/)
- Tammy McNeill – Cumberland Co HD, ICO4MCH Breastfeeding Program Coordinator
- Kaitlyn Franklin – Cumberland Co HD, ICO4MCH Reproductive Life Planning Program Coordinator
Spring 2021 Bulletin Magazine Now Online
The spring issue of your NCMS Bulletin focuses on the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on health care in North Carolina. Read NC Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen’s, MD, MPH, views on how health care may be different post-pandemic. Also see how the NCMS Foundation has responded during this critical time in health care and in our nation's history.
Lunch & Learn Webinar: Arm Yourself - COVID Vaccine Planning and Resources
This webinar featuring Bill Shenton, JD, a partner at Poyner Spruill, provides an overview of key considerations in planning a COVID-19 vaccine administration program in a medical practice and will touch on some available resources that can be accessed to prepare. Topics covered include:
- Planning and organizing the effort
- Selecting and training staff to administer vaccine
- Administration of the vaccine and documenting immunizations
- Planning for contingencies
- Addressing HIPAA compliance issues
View additional Lunch & Learn Webinars
KIPL Power Hour: Schools and COVID-19 (3/5/2021)
Recently the NCMS and NC Pediatric Society issued a joint media statement supporting students and teachers returning to in-person schooling based on the important role schools play in children’s educational achievement, health and wellbeing. Our panel discusses this statement, their thoughts on the pandemic and considerations about school staff and teachers.
Power Hour guests include:
Christoph Diasio, MD - Pediatrician at Sandhills Pediatrics and current president of the NC Pediatric Society;
Yun Bolyston, MD - Pediatrician at Burlington Pediatrics and current board member with the NC Pediatric Society;
Elizabeth Hudgins, MPP - Executive Director of the NC Pediatric Society;
Michael Utecht, MD - Emergency Physician at the Durham VA Hospital and current president of the NC Medical Society