On September 2, The Mills Administration announced that it will begin enforcement of its COVID-19 vaccination requirement for health care workers on October 29, 2021, providing an additional month for health care workers to complete their vaccination protocol and for health care organizations to use $146 million in forthcoming funds to address workforce needs.

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Reproductive Rights

Texas Law Banning Most Abortions Takes Effect

By a slim 5-4 vote, the United States Supreme Court did not act this week on a request to stop a Texas law banning abortions after 6 weeks. The law, which has some abortion rights advocates worried that the court might be inclined to revisit Roe v. Wade, a 50-year-old decision protecting a woman’s right to abortion. Read More

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

AMA Releases Educational Resources to Advance Equity In Health Care

In alignment with its commitment to inform and educate physicians on topics important to health equity, the American Medical Association (AMA) today announced a series of CME and educational activities aimed at addressing the root causes of inequities, including racism and other structural determinants of health. The new content — featured on the AMA Ed Hub™ Health Equity Education Center and curated by the AMA’s Center for Health Equity— will equip physicians and other learners with core health equity concepts needed to support them as they continue to take action and confront health injustice. Read More

COVID-19 Pandemic Updates, Guidance & News

SARS-CoV-2 News, Updates, & Guidance

• FDA Restarts Distribution of Lilly's COVID-19 Drug In 22 States

• US COVID Deaths Hit 6-Month High & 7 Other Updates

• CDC Panel Says More Evidence Needed for Boosters

• Health Care Providers Are Warned Not to Give COVID Vaccines Beyond Recommendations

• Pfizer, Merck Launch Large New Trials of Oral COVID-19 Drugs

• Ohio Judge Orders Hospital to Treat COVID Patient with Ivermectin

• AMA: Delta Variant Could Double Risk of Hospitalization for Unvaccinated, Large Analysis Finds

• AMA President: How Delta Variant Redoubles Vaccination’s Importance

• How Lagging Vaccination Rates Have Fueled Boom In COVID-19 Cases

• Medicaid Enrollees Less Likely to Get COVID-19 Vaccine, Data Show

Effective September 1, 2021, Maine’s new immunization law removes both philosophical and religious exemptions to school-aged children’s immunization requirements. No child will be permitted to attend school without evidence of immunization or proof of immunity against disease, unless one of more of the following circumstances apply: Read More


US CDC: 2021-2022 Influenza Vaccination Recommendations and Guidance on Coadministration with COVID-19 Vaccines

The US CDC’s Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity will hold a call this Thursday, Sept. 9 at 2pm ET to discuss updates on ACIP recommendations for the 2021-2022 flu vaccination season and guidance for coadministration of influenza & COVID vaccines. Read More


Maine CDC Vaccine Provider Training

The Maine Immunization Program isbe hosting twice weekly trainings for all VFC provider sites. These trainings will serve as a refresher of VFC requirements and will continue each Tuesday and Wednesday throughout  September. Maine CDC will re-evaluate the need to continue trainings for October at the end of September.

All provider staff are welcome and encouraged to join. Read More


ACIP General Best Practice Guidelines for Immunization Updates - 8/17/2021

Revisions have been made to the ACIP General Best Practice Guidelines for Immunization.

To see the revisions, please go to ACIP List of Errata/Updates for Guidelines for Immunization | CDC Read More

MMA Annual Membership Meeting This Weekend

Please Join Us Virtually If You Can

With the ever-changing reality of the current COVID-19 landscape and the addition of the Delta variant, the MMA Executive Board recently made the decision to present its 168th Annual Session in a hybrid model to also allow a fully virtual attendee experience for members.

If you haven’t yet decided to sign up for virtual attendance, please do so. The Maine Medical Association Annual Session helps foster a dialog about the unique opportunities and challenges facing physicians and patients in Maine, and nationwide. It also brings us together for one of the few times that can fit into your busy schedules. Read More

Substance Use Disorder

International Overdose Awareness Day

• Mills Administration Announces Further Actions to Combat Opioid Epidemic

• Johns Hopkins International Overdose Day Podcast

• AMA: 4 Ways Biden Administration Can Help Cut Drug-Overdose Deaths

On September 1st, the FDA announced a safety concern after a reviewing a large, randomized safety clinical trial. The agency concluded there is an increased risk of serious heart-related events such as heart attack or stroke, cancer, blood clots, and death with the arthritis and ulcerative colitis medicines Xeljanz and Xeljanz XR (tofacitinib). Read More


FDA Approves Drug for Schizophrenia To Be Administered At A Six-Month Interval

FDA has approved Invega Hafyera (paliperidone palmitate) extended-release injectable suspension to treat schizophrenia in certain adults. Invega Hafyera, an atypical antipsychotic, is the first long-acting schizophrenia medication to be injected once every six months. Read More

AMA News & Updates

American Medical Association 2021 Interim Meeting Suspended

The following email was received at MMA on Friday, August 27, 2021:

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Comments On Proposed Physician Fee Schedule Rule Due to CMS By COB On September 13th.

SUMMARY:

This major proposed rule addresses: Changes to the physician fee schedule (PFS); other changes to Medicare Part B payment policies to ensure that payment systems are updated to reflect changes in medical practice, relative value of services, and changes in the statute; Medicare Shared Savings Program requirements; updates to the Quality Payment Program; Medicare coverage of opioid use disorder services furnished by opioid treatment programs; updates to certain Medicare provider enrollment policies; requirements for prepayment and post-payment medical review activities; requirement for electronic prescribing for controlled substances for a covered Part D drug under a prescription drug plan, or a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plan; updates to the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System; changes to the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) expanded model; and amendments to the physician self-referral law regulations. Read More


AMA Guides Open Comment Period

Notice: AMA Guides Sixth 2022: Public Comment Period (Aug. 30—Sept. 24)

Proposals to update Conceptual Foundations and Philosophy (Chapter 1) and Practical Application of the Guides (Chapter 2) of the AMA Guides are being considered by the AMA Guides Editorial Panel for adoption in 2022. Editorial Panel Actions are considered provisional until the public comment period concludes. Read More

More News ...

Maine AAP 2021 Fall Education Series

The Maine AAP is offering a fourteen session educational webinar series beginning on Tuesday, September 14th. Sessions are held on Tuesday evenings from 7-8pm. CME credit is available. You must pre-register to attend. REGISTER NOW!

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MMA-CQI Has Launched a New Module: "Increasing HPV Vaccination Rates in Clinical Practice"

The goal of this online learning module is to provide an easily accessible, quality improvement resource for pediatricians, family clinicians, practice staff, and other quality improvement healthcare professionals to increase HPV vaccination rates in their clinical practice.

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Simplified Treatment of Hepatitis C in Primary Care Settings

Presented by the Maine Independent Clinical Information Service (MICIS) at your medical practice or hospital. Read More


The Red Cross and Your Neighbors Need YOU!

 The Red Cross has informed the MMA that they are in the midst of a very active and already devastating natural disaster season. They need reinforcements—YOU! You’ll commit 14 days (health professionals 10-14 days), and complete free virtual training. There is no cost to you. Red Cross arranges travel, provides lodging and food. Bring your willingness to serve, flexibility and ability to work multiple shifts on consecutive days. Read More

UPCOMING EVENTS

Upcoming Specialty Society Meetings

Below you will find an on-going list of Upcoming Specialty Society Meetings. Any questions should be referred to the contact person listed for each specialty.

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AAP EQIPP Course: Immunizations - Strategies for Success (for RURAL Health Providers)

The recently revised EQIPP immunization course is designed to identify immunization rates in your practice, uncover barriers to immunization delivery systems, and provide techniques to overcome those barriers using clear aims that reflect expert principles and proven quality improvement methods and tools.

The Maine Medical Association- Center for Quality Improvement, in partnership with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, launched the SUPPORT for ME Training and Technical Assistance initiative.

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Working with Children & Adolescents? Maine Pediatric & Behavioral Health Partnership (MPBHP) Webinar Series (August thru December 2nd Wednesday of month)

The Maine Pediatric & Behavioral Health Partnership (MPBHP) is a partnership between Maine Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Northern Light Acadia Hospital, and MaineHealth. MPBHP is offering a webinar series for medical providers who work with children and adolescents and you will earn Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit.

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HEALTHCARE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Nurse Practitioner

Nasson Health Care is seeking a qualified Nurse Practitioner to work collaboratively with a team of health and administrative professionals providing comprehensive primary care to patients while utilizing the Patient-Centered Medical Home model of care delivery.
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Physician

Nasson Health Care is seeking a qualified Physician to work collaboratively with a team of health professionals providing comprehensive primary care to patients while utilizing the Patient-Centered Medical Home model of care delivery.
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Physician (BC/BE in Family Medicine) - Richmond Area Health Center

Richmond Area Health Center seeks a Physician (BC/BE in Family Medicine) with outstanding clinical and interpersonal skills. In addition, an X waver is desirable.
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Help educate new physicians – join our accredited Family Medicine Residency Program as faculty

Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center's Family Medicine Residency program is seeking a BC, full-spectrum Family Medicine provider to join our dynamic faculty in Bangor, Maine. 
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Join our region-leading Neuroscience/Stroke Center

Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center’s Neuroscience Center in the vibrant small city of Bangor, Maine seeks to expand its Neurology Department.  Read More


Contract Clinical Advisor - Healthcare Coalition of Maine

We are searching for a detail oriented, highly skilled and motivated Contract - Clinical Advisor (clinically active physician, advanced practice provider, or registered nurse) to provide clinical leadership to the Healthcare Coalition of Maine and serve as a liaison between the Coalition and medical directors/medical leadership at health care facilities, supporting entities, and EMS agencies!