Happy Monday! Start Your Week Off Right with Today’s NCMS Morning Rounds

  August 3, 2020

Election Day Coming Soon!

The November 2020 election is now less than 100 days away! Physicians are 9% less likely than the general population to vote. Let’s change that! Take time to make sure your voter registration is up to date. You can check your voter registration information by using the NC State Board of Election voter look up tool. If you would like to request an absentee ballot for this election you must submit this request form.

If you haven’t already, now is the time to make a donation to the NCMS PAC!

DHHS COVID-19 Provider Update

On Friday, July 31, State Health Director Betsey Tilson, MD and State Epidemiologist Zack Moore, MD provided a brief update on the State’s COVID-19 response. Dr. Tilson noted that we are seeing early signs of some stabilization. DHHS has adopted the same surveillance techniques used in flu to be used for COVID-19 moving forward. She added that it is not possible to trace our way out of COVID-19, especially with symptoms not showing until later. Physicians are required to report positive COVID-19 tests to their county health departments. An emphasis was made on continuing to encourage patients to follow the 3 W’s, wear, wait, and wash.

The next update will be held on Friday August, 28th from 12:30-1:30. Questions can be sent in advance to [email protected].

Advocating for Access to Care

Long time NCMS Member, Eleanor Greene, MD, was recently selected to be a Steering Committee Member for the Care4Carolina Coalition. Dr. Greene exemplifies leadership in medicine through her passion for advocating on behalf of patient access. The Care4Carolina Coalition’s goal is to strengthen the economic and social well-being of our state by increasing access to affordable, quality healthcare for all North Carolinians. NCMS has been an active supporter in this coalition’s work including recruiting NCMS Member, Lacey Hobgood, MD, to participate in their most recent virtual panel on COVID-19. NCMS Director of Legislative Relations, Sue Ann Forrest also serves on the Steering Committee. You can sign up to be a supporter of Care4Carolina here.

Two Physician Legislators Join NCMS for a Town Hall

NCMS hosted our first ever Virtual Legislative Town Hall with Rep. Kristin Baker, MD (Cabarrus) and Rep. Perrin Jones, MD (Pitt) moderated by Charlie Monteiro, MD. Some of the topics included COVID-19, prior authorization, telemedicine, social determinants of health and access to care. Dr. Baker emphasized her top legislative priority of passing a budget in order to address the State’s most pressing needs around health care and education. Dr. Jones shared that economic stabilization in rural North Carolina, and health care access in rural areas is a priority he hopes to address. Both Dr. Jones and Dr. Baker emphasized the importance and impact of moving to value in the health care system.

NCMS looks forward to hosting more of these virtual in the future!

News You Can Use

Recent NC Polls show discrepancies: what explains it? – Old North State Politics

Social solidarity and widespread public trust needed to boost vaccine confidence during COVID-19 – Harvard School of Public Health

Face Covering Policy –Springfield Missouri– CDC

Learning Opportunities

Health Care Professionals Series to Address Gaps in Immunizations and Well-Child Care
Join the NC Division of Health Benefits (DHB), NC AHEC, and Community Care of North Carolina for a webinar entitled Keeping Kids Well that will highlight a statewide collaboration aimed at increasing well-child visits and immunization rates.

The webinar will be Thursday, August 13, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.  Dr. Shannon Dowler, DHB chief medical officer, will provide an update on state policies impacting telehealth, Medicaid Managed Care and the State of Emergency around COVID-19. DHB Quality and Population Health Director Kelly Crosbie will provide an overview of the Keeping Kids Well coalition efforts and representatives of CCNC and NC AHEC will be on hand to describe the support that that the collaboration partners will provide to medical practices across the state.

The webinar will also feature a panel of physicians discussing “best practices” for pediatric clinicians seeking to boost immunization rates and well-child care visits.

Please submit any questions for subject matter experts to prepare for in advance to [email protected] before 5 p.m. on the Wednesday preceding the webinar.

 To Join the Webinar: https://zoom.us/j/848964708

Office telephone: (312) 626-6799  or (646) 558-8656

Webinar ID:  848 964 708

iPhone one-tap: +13126266799,,848964708#

Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services will meet August 11 at 10:00am. Listen here. Watch here.

Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid and NC Health Choice will meet August 11 at 1:00pm. Listen here. Watch here.