It’s a new week and time for your NCMS Morning Rounds!
August 17, 2020
NCMS members should have received a special email with the latest issue of the NCMS Bulletin Magazine on Friday afternoon. This issue profiles several of your physician, PA and medical student colleagues and their individual journeys to become health care leaders. We hope you enjoy reading it! Read the Summer 2020 NCMS Bulletin here.
NCMS Legislative Update
The NC General Assembly appropriated funds to help ensure health care providers in a variety of settings have the necessary personal protective equipment to care for patients during the current pandemic. Your NCMS received $5 million to ensure independent medical practices had the PPE they need. Last week, the NCMS launched its free PPE distribution to such practices. Learn more and find out if you are eligible to receive this crucial equipment here.
Also, last week the Joint Legislative Oversight Committees for Health and Human Services and for Medicaid met to hear from officials on the state’s response to the pandemic as well as the timeline for the transition to Medicaid managed care. Review summaries of both of these committee meetings on our legislative blog, where you can also see charts showing how COVID-19 relief funds have been spent in the state, a timeline for Medicaid transformation (the go-live date is July 1, 2021) and projections on increases in those qualifying for Medicaid benefits due to the economic impact of the pandemic.
Legislators complimented the North Carolina medical community for having one of the highest rates of physician participation in the state’s Medicaid program.
We’d also like to offer kudos to longtime NCMS member David Hill, MD, FAAP, a Goldsboro pediatrician, who spoke to the committee on COVID-19’s impact on children, expressing his concern that children continue to receive the recommended immunizations during the pandemic. His presentation is available here on our blog.
The Durham Orange County Medical Society meeting last Wednesday was a huge success with over 40 people participating in a virtual ‘Town Hall’ forum with the majority of the area’s state legislative delegation. The discussion with legislators was lively and informative. If your practice or county or specialty society would like to hold a similar town hall forum, now is a great time as we approach the November election and legislators want to hear what is on their constituents’ minds. If you would like to arrange such a forum, please contact NCMS Director of Legislative Relations Sue Ann Forrest, MPA.
NCMS Member Book Club Starts THIS THURSDAY!
This is a reminder to sign up for the NCMS Book Club before this Thursday, Aug. 20. In this online community, Society Members will connect with each other to read and discuss books on a range of topics, as well as member-submitted recommendations.
There is no cost to participate if you are a member* of the Medical Society – you just have to get a copy of the book to enjoy. We will be kicking off on Aug. 20 with the book Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson and we’re looking forward to some great conversations with our members! Sign up here.
*If you would like to become a member of NCMS to be eligible to join our book club click here.
**If you are not eligible to be a member of the NCMS but would still like to join the Book Club, please contact Ashley Newton or Danielle Snyder for further information.
Join the ‘Mask Up’ Social Media Campaign
In an effort to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the NCMS has joined the AMA in launching a public health campaign called #MaskUp. This social media effort is focused on specifically encouraging the public to wear masks. The scientific information included also debunks myths and misconceptions around mask usage and equips physicians with simple tools to help patients understand their risks for transmission.
We invite you to join us by using your social media networks to spread the #MaskUp message. The AMA has created a toolkit with ready to use posts and graphics. Access the toolkit here.
By signing up through this ‘participation pledge’ the AMA will periodically send updated communications with key messages and new graphics.
In the News
Election Day is Coming. Should Your Doctor Encourage You to Vote?, The Advisory Board Forum, 8-12-20
Learning Opportunity
A webinar on National COVID-19 Vaccine Trials will be held Tuesday, Aug. 18 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Discussion will focus on a few of the leading COVID-19 vaccine trials, the progress that has been made and next steps in the COVID-19 vaccine trial process as well as exploring the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine trial process. Learn more and register.