The FDA revised the authorizations for two monoclonal antibody treatments – bamlanivimab and etesevimab (administered together) and REGEN-COV (casirivimab and imdevimab) – to limit their use to only when the patient is likely to have been infected with or exposed to a variant that is susceptible to these treatments.

Data show these treatments are highly unlikely to be active against the omicron variant. Read More


U.S. FDA Approval of Remdesivir for COVID-19 Treatment

A new alert from the Maine CDC Health Alert Network System (HAN) outlined expanded U.S. FDA approval of Remdesivir for COVID-19 Treatment. Read More


Maine CDC: Update to Standing Order for COVID-19 Testing

A new alert from the Maine CDC Health Alert Network System (HAN) updated Maine’s Standing Order for COVID-19 Testing. Read More


Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests Now Available; No Cost N95 Masks Also on the Way

You can now order four free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests at COVIDtests.gov

Residential households in the U.S., regardless of citizenship status, can order one set of four free at-home tests from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Here's what you need to know about your order: Read More


US CDC Study: Third Shot 90 Percent Effective Against Hospitalization; 57 Percent Against Omicron

New studies released last week by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and another published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) showed that a boosters shots of COVID-19 vaccines provide robust protection against hospitalization and severe disease. One study showed that unvaccinated adults 3-5 times more likely to get omicron infection. Read More


US CDC Report: COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations by COVID-19 Vaccination Status and Previous COVID-19 Diagnosis

During May–November 2021, case and hospitalization rates were highest in California and New York among persons who were unvaccinated without a previous diagnosis.

Before Delta became the predominant variant in June, case rates were higher among persons who survived a previous infection than persons who were vaccinated alone.

By early October, persons who survived a previous infection had lower case rates than persons who were vaccinated alone. Read More


AMA: Unvaccinated Kids at Much Higher Risk of Severe MIS-C Outcomes

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are seven and 11 times higher in unvaccinated adolescents respectively, compared with their vaccinated counterparts. Boosting teens is important but promoting the primary vaccination series is just as crucial, according to Dr. Fryhofer. She is the AMA's liaison to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and chair-elect of the AMA Board of Trustees. Read More


Michigan Study: Virus Spread Was 62 Percent Higher in School Districts Without Mask Rules

New data from the University of Michigan and the state health department shows Michigan students who attended schools with mask requirements at the beginning of the school year, had lower rates of coronavirus transmission than those at schools without mandates. Read More

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

EHRs Carry Negative Patient Descriptors Based on Race, Insurance Provider And Marital Status

According to a newly published Health Affairs report, as reported by Modern Healthcare, “Black patients' EHRs were 2.54 times more likely to contain stigmatizing language when compared to white patients; people with Medicaid were 2.66 times more likely than those with commercial insurance; and unmarried patients had 2.12 times the odds compared to married people, according to the study findings.” Read More


US CDC: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Receipt of Medications for Treatment of COVID-19

Analysis of data from 41 health care systems found lower use of monoclonal antibody treatment among Black, Asian, and other race and Hispanic patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 test results, relative to White and non-Hispanic patients. Racial and ethnic differences were smaller for inpatient administration of remdesivir and dexamethasone. Read More

MMA LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY

MMA Legislative Committee Meetings

The MMA Legislative Committee has begun meeting again. The Committee meets each Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm while the Maine Legislature is in session.
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UPCOMING EVENTS

Kick-Off Webinar for Implementing the Alliance for Innovation in Maternal Health (AIM) Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy Bundle in Maine (Jan 26 12PM)

Join the Maine Medical Association, Center for Quality Improvement (MMA-CQI), in partnership with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, from 12 – 1 p.m. and learn about the AIM Severe Hypertension in Pregnancy Bundle and efforts to implement this bundle in Maine.

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Forum: Emotional Well-Being during a Pandemic with Dr. Shah (Jan 27th, 6pm)

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Governor's Office Opioid Response Seminar Series (Feb 4, 11:30am)

The Governor’s Opioid Response Seminar Webinar Series continues on Friday, February 4, 2022 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with "Connecting Communities of Recovery, Inside and Outside of Maine's Correctional Facilities" Read More


Community Health Center Virtual Round Table (Feb 8, 12-1PM)

Southern NH AHEC and Aledade invite you to attend a virtual round table event: Innovative Practice Models in The Community Health Center Setting. Read More


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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HEALTHCARE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Senior Physician Executive (SPE) - Northern Light Health

Northern Light Health is seeking a Senior Physician Executive (SPE) to lead our Central region member organizations.
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Nurse Practitioner - Nasson Health Care

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

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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Transformational OB/GYN or Maternal Fetal Medicine Physician leader

Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine is actively seeking a transformational OB/GYN or Maternal Fetal Medicine Physician leader to guide the evolution of our Women’s Health services. Read More