Maine Medicine Weekly Update : February 26, 2021

According to Post reports, “An expert committee unanimously recommended Friday that the Food and Drug Administration authorize a coronavirus vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, making it all but certain there will soon be a third vaccine in the United States, the first to require just a single shot.”

BREAKING: Maine Adopts Age-based Approach to Expanding Vaccine Eligibility

The Mlls Administration announced Friday afternoon that beginning next Wednesday, March 3, 2021, Maine will expand eligibility for the vaccine to those 60 years and older.

The media release from the Governor’s office outlined the decision to update Maine’s vaccination strategy was decided in consultation with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and reflects recent scientific data indicating that age is among the strongest predictors of whether an individual is likely to get seriously ill and die from COVID-19, even more so than risk factors such as underlying medical conditions.

Committee Delays Debate on Bill to Eliminate Nurse Practitioner Training

The Maine Legislature’s Joint Committee On Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services held a public hearing last week on a bill that would remove from law any post-graduate supervision and training requirements for newly licensed advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) and would leave the development of scope and standards of practice entirely under the purview of the Maine State Board of Nursing and decision makers outside of Maine.

If the bill becomes law there will be no requirement for newly graduated advanced practice registered nurses to have any post graduate training upon graduating from an accredited nurse practice educational program, while keeping in place residency requirements for physicians.

If LD 295 passes, the only legal requirements for licensure in Maine for nurse practitioners will be:

Advanced practice registered nurse's scope of practice will be specified by the Board of Nursing by rulemaking, “taking into consideration any national standards that exist;” and

Standards of practice for advanced practice registered nurses would also be overseen by the Nursing Board, “taking into consideration any national standards that may exist.”

A certified nurse practitioner or a certified nurse midwife who qualifies as an advanced practice registered nurse may prescribe and dispense drugs or devices, or both, in accordance with rules adopted by the board.

A certified nurse practitioner who qualifies as an advanced practice registered nurse must practice, for at least 24 months, under the supervision of a licensed physician or a supervising nurse practitioner or must be employed by a clinic or hospital that has a medical director who is a licensed physician. The certified nurse practitioner shall submit written evidence to the board upon completion of the required clinical experience.

If LD 295 becomes law, physicians will still be required to complete residency, PAs will still need 4,000 hours of training and collaboration under a law passed last year, but nurse practitioners will be allowed by state law to practice independently from day one after graduation.

We are asking legislators to not be fooled by the argument that the NP is practicing "nursing" and not "medicine." It is a distinction without a difference under longstanding Maine law. The scope of practice for advanced practice nursing, by law only, is the functional equivalent to that of a physician in the field despite the training and educational differences.

The Committee has not yet rescheduled discussion, debate, and a potential vote on LD 295. It is critically important for patient safety that as many MMA members as possible reach out to legislators on the committee to express your opposition to the bill.

Our testimony in opposition to the bill can be found here, as well as testimony against the bill from the Maine Osteopathic Association and Spectrum Healthcare Partners.

You can watch/listen to the full February 18 hearing on the bill by clicking here.

Retired neurologist, and state Representative, Patty Hymanson, M.D., provided testimony in opposition. It can be found here.

Committee Members and the communities they represent are listed below. Click on their names for contact Information:

Representative Tracy Quint Amity/ Bancroft/ Benedicta Township/ Cary/ Glenwood/ Haynesville/ Hodgdon/ Houlton/ Macwahoc/ Orient/ Reed/ Weston/ Molunkus Township/ Silver Ridge Township/ South Aroostook

Please contact MMA Director of Communications and Government Affairs, Dan Morin at dmorin@mainemed.com or by phone at 207-480-4199 for more information or background on the bill or questions about contacting committee legislators in opposition of the bill.

Regular legislative updates on MMA issues of importance can also be found Facebook and Twitter.

“Community Based Collaboration Form” Vaccine Request Available from Maine DHHS/CDC

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services has posted an application online for physician’s offices to form “community-based collaboratives” for offering vaccines.

The form is the result of collaboration between the Maine Medical Association’s Board of Directors and staff, the Maine Osteopathic Association, and Maine DHHS & Maine CDC to promote equitable access to potentially lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine doses.

While we are encouraged to see this next step from Maine DHHS/CDC to incorporate community physicians while promoting equitable and transparent distribution of limited vaccine doses, some of Maine’s community physicians are concerned that a threshold of 1,000 doses may be too high, especially when vaccines are limited to certain demographics.

While MMA leadership understands the state’s challenges with delivering vaccines to our communities, an infrastructure to bring vaccines directly to our communities and serve our high-risk patients where they are must be developed to be both efficient and consistent.

We thank you for your patience and look forward to when Maine’s physicians can inform their patients if, and when, their offices are able to begin administering vaccines.

You are not alone. Colleagues nationwide are expressing the same concerns and calling for action from federal and state leaders.

“SC physicians are the same as MA. The need to vaccinate quickly sends supplies to hospitals and pharmacies. SCMA continues to ask that physicians receive vaccine as supplies increase. The physician-patient relationship can be the key for some to choose vaccination.”

Maine PMP to Stay with Appriss System

As a reminder, Maine has decided to retain the use of the Appriss Prescription Monitoring Program system rather than install and transition to a new system.

Please see the message below being sent to all current PMP users (data submitters and clinicians) from Rebecca Taylor, OBH Deputy Director for Research and Evaluation.

Please address any questions you may have to Ms. Taylor using contact information listed below.

Dear PMP User,

Thank you for your patience and assistance during the PMP system transition. We are writing to provide you with an important update regarding this transition.

As you know, in August 2019 Maine DHHS made the determination to transition from the Appriss PMP system to a new PMP product offered by NIC/InforME: RxGov. This decision was based upon multiple factors, including the opportunity to access enhanced federal funding and the desire to enhance PMP reporting functionality. The new NIC/RxGov PMP was subsequently offered to Maine prescribers in the fall of 2020, while the Appriss AWARxE PMP remained functional and available to prescribers.

After fully exploring this opportunity over the past several months and soliciting input from Maine clinicians,Maine DHHS has made the decision to retain the Appriss AWARxE PMP due to its superior performance, particularly related to issues of data validity, functionality, and reporting. Examples of the desired functionality that remain available from the Appriss AWARxE PMP include the following:

Printing of patient histories, both individual patients and groups of patients
Ability to automatically view the use of controlled drugs from prescribers in Maine and New Hampshire, our contiguous state
Robust patient matching to allow clinicians see all records associated with a single patient
Availability of NarxCare, a visual clinical decision support tool that allows prescribers to see overlapping prescriptions of controlled substances and assess patient risk

In making this decision, DHHS is acutely aware of the need to minimize the administrative burden to Maine prescribers. Because the Appriss PMP system has remained fully operational throughout the transition period, prescribers currently enrolled in the Appriss PMP system will not be required to make any changes in their enrollment or registration. Prescribers who are using the NIC/RxGov PMP system are encouraged to return to using the Appriss AWARxE PMP as soon as possible.

All Maine healthcare providers, whether enrolled in the Appriss system or not, will receive emails with detailed Appriss PMP login instructions beginning in the next few days. Please note that these emails will come from Appriss Health.

As part of the reversion to the Appriss AWARxE PMP system, Maine DHHS looks forward to upcoming opportunities to engage PMP users in stakeholder engagement sessions to gather feedback on potential additional needs for enhanced PMP functionality, share existing solutions offered by the Appriss, and offer information about planned enhancements for the Appriss system. More information on those opportunities will be forthcoming soon. Questions about this transition or other aspects of the Maine PMP program can be directed to the Office of Behavioral Health PMP Team at: email: PMP@maine.gov or Phone: (207) 287-2595 Option 2.

Thank you,

Rebecca A. Taylor, Deputy Director

Office of Behavioral Health

CMS Special Enrollment Period for Marketplace Coverage 2021

The 2021 Special Enrollment Period for Marketplace Coverage began Monday, February 15 on HealthCare.gov.

Due to an Executive Order recently signed by President Biden, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing that the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for the Health Insurance Marketplace is officially available to consumers in the 36 states that use the HealthCare.gov platform, and will continue through Saturday, May 15.

Sue Woods, MD, MPH-- Internet connectivity that just works will help Maine thrive

MMA Board member, Sue Woods, MD, MPH, contributed a Portland Press Herald, Maine Voices piece on internet infrastructure and the digital divide.

Incoming MMA President, Jeffrey Barkin, MD, DFAPA on WGAN Radio

Incoming MMA President, Jeffrey Barkin, MD, DFAPA, recently joined A Healthy Conversation With Steve Woods, on Portland’s WGAN Radio. Dr. Barkin spoke about depression and how loneliness can be as bad for your health as smoking.

Next MMA Legislative Call Will Be Wednesday, March 3rd

MMA Legislative Committee Chairs, Jay Mullen, M.D. and Samuela Manages, MD welcome you to participate in the weekly conference calls of the MMA Legislative Committee.

The purpose of the weekly conference calls is to discuss the MMA's position on bills printed the previous week, to hear the views of specialty societies on the new bills or their concerns about any current health policy issues, and to discuss the highlights of legislative actions of the week. The calls rarely last longer than an hour.

Legislative Committee members and specialty society legislative liaisons are strongly encouraged to participate. Any physician, practice manager, or other staff member who is interested in the MMA's legislative advocacy also is welcome to participate. It is not necessary to RSVP for the calls.

The next MMA Legislative Committee weekly conference call for the First Regular Session of the 130th Maine Legislature will take place Wednesday, March 3rd, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom.

You may now join the meeting with your computer or continue to connect by phone only. Please use the following Zoom meeting information. This will remain the same for every weekly call during the session.

A list of the bills to be discussed during the weekly call will be e-mailed to committee members and those interested early next week. If you would like to be added to this e-mail list, please contact Sarah Lepoff at slepoff@mainemed.com.

Daniel Hanley Center for Health Leadership’s Renowned Physician Executive Leadership Institute – The Advanced Course Enrollment is OPEN

Enrollment is now under way for the Daniel Hanley Center’s sixth annual Physician Executive Leadership Institute—Advanced Course. Be sure to save your seat in the next cohort as we can only accept the first 35 physician enrollments!

Daniel Hanley Center for Health Leadership’s Renowned Physician Executive Leadership Institute – The Advanced Course Enrollment is OPEN for Cohort VII Commencing May 2021 Nomination

Physicians enrolling in the program are designated as McAfee Fellows, in honor of former AMA and MMA President Robert McAfee, MD. Participants gain knowledge, skills and tools in the core competency areas of: systems awareness; strategic focus; key management/business skills; self-awareness; healthcare trends and teamwork and collaboration, best enabling them to lead and transform our healthcare delivery system.

Here is what a few recent McAfee Fellows have shared about their PELI Advanced experience:

“I can tell you with great certainty that I feel a lot more confident about my group decision making, my influence on a group’s behavior and my strategic planning. My ability as a leader is significantly enhanced by the PELI program. That is a given.”

“Having another avenue to apply my energies, new unchartered territory, it’s exciting in a different way and I think that gives satisfaction that mitigates against some burnout stuff that could potentially happen.”

“It exposes participants to other leaders, ideas, approaches and efforts.”

Here is what a few recent CEO’s have shared about the value of supporting their physicians in the Advanced Course:

"Benefit to health system – implementation of a new medical staff meeting format that increased attendance and focused on provider wellness: reduced burnout; improved provider engagement.”

“With more confidence in their skills: one physician is capably developing a new team-based model of care in his practice; several physicians have moved into leadership positions; one physician has become a mentor of physicians who need skill development.”

Over the past 8 years, nearly 200 physicians have participated in the Advanced Course. Our 7^th cohort will begin May 6, 2021 and continue through March 26, 2022. There are six two-day residential sessions, each running from Thursday evening through late Saturday morning. The Hanley Center is planning for the class to include 30-35 physician leaders from Maine, New Hampshire, and beyond.

A distinguished five-member faculty team from the Heller School at Brandeis University delivers much of the course content for the Advanced Course, joining with Maine-based subject matter experts and physician leaders. McAfee Fellows receive 80 hours of Category One CME for their participation in the full course.

PPE Available Through the MMA & ActionPPE

The Maine Medical Association is teaming with ActionPPE.org for access to PPE SUPPLIES for the safety of your patients, your staff, and communities!!

ActionPPE.org is a nationwide organization started by a South Carolina county medical society president to help his colleagues get access to critical PPE supplies. It’s a nationwide platform of pooled resources to directly help physicians meet the needs of their practices and patients.

Most importantly, ActionPPe.org is not just a source for PPE contacts but an actual ordering site with current and active distribution lines. You can place orders online and have them shipped directly to your offices.

Product details and certificates the masks, gowns, face shields etc. are provided on the site. ORDER NOW! https://actionppe.org/3/mainemed/

Do not hesitate to contact Director of Communications and Government Affairs, Dan Morin with any questions or more information at (207) 838-8613 call/text, or dmorin@mainemed.com

A Message from Maine Responds: Volunteer Opportunity

By registering with Maine Responds at maineresponds.org, you will join our listing of volunteers against which we search for any emergent volunteer workforce needs.

We appreciate all of the offers coming in to assist in Maine CDC's COVID-19 response. By registering with Maine Responds at maineresponds.org, you will join our listing of volunteers against which we search for any emergent volunteer workforce needs. Read on for the details of joining both Maine Responds, and our more involved volunteer opportunities through Maine Medical Reserve Corps - members of both start with the same first step: register at maineresponds.org.

The Maine Responds Emergency Health Volunteer System is the online registration system for public health, healthcare and emergency response volunteers for the State of Maine.

Maine Responds is a partnership that integrates local, regional, and statewide volunteer resources to assist our public health and healthcare systems. It is part of a national initiative to train, coordinate, and mobilize volunteers during an emergency. Maine Responds coordinates verified, pre-credentialed public health, healthcare and emergency response volunteers into a single database that can coordinate the need for volunteers across county, regional and state lines if needed.

Maine Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteer programs reinforce our state's public health infrastructure and support low stress/no-fault exercise environments that test critical response capabilities. Members of both Maine Responds and MRC start with the same first step: register at maineresponds.org. You will be able to select your local MRC unit in the drop-down menu under the "Organizations" section of the registration - refer to this link to determine your Public Health District(s). Maine Responds ESAR-VHP is our volunteer communication and activation system.

Public Health Emergency Preparedness
Department of Health and Human Services
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Maine Legislature Week 7 Update

The following is a summary of happenings during week 7 of the Maine Legislature.

On Monday, the Committee held a public hearing on LD 315, a bill meant to bring awareness to the Legislature on rule changes by state agencies since the onset of the pandemic. State Departments would be required to report all rule changes from March 2020 to November 2021 to the appropriate Legislative Committee. Legislators had a few questions ahead of the work session, to which the Secretary of State’s Office is invited to attend.

The HCIFS Committee had a busy day on Tuesday. LD 1, an Act to Establish the COVID-19 Patient Bill of Rights, had its first public hearing. LD 1 has three parts. The first requires insurance carriers to cover any COVID-19 expenses. The second authorizes pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. The last part authorizes the delivery of telehealth through audio only. Dan Morin gave testimony on behalf of MMA in support of the bill. Fifteen testified in support of the bill. The most common sentiment was the dire need for citizens to be covered for COVID-19 expenses as our most impacted community is lower-income. Four were neither for nor against. The common concern regarded the bill’s perpetuity as there is no fixed end date. The other remark concerns the length of prescriptions, contending 180 day is too long and should be shortened to 90 day to avoid possible waste. A work session has been scheduled for next Tuesday, March 2nd, at 2:00p.m.

The Committee also held work sessions on several bills, notably LD 178 and LD 172. MMA’s Dan Morin previously testified as opposed to LD 178; Committee Chairperson Senator Sanborn explained that after watching the hearing, the sponsor decided to withdraw the bill. It was unanimously voted “Ought Not to Pass.” LD 172, which would require prescription labels to include a barcode to assist visually impaired patients, was tabled after a healthy discussion; Committee members preferred to go through testimony further and discuss the bill with its sponsor.

On Thursday, the Committee was scheduled to hold a work session on LD 295. The bill, having both support and opposition, was rescheduled due to a lengthy morning of public hearings. MMA previously testified as strongly opposed to the repeal of supervision requirements for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in Maine, along with some physician members. Stay tuned for more information on a rescheduled work session.

LD 352, An Act To Maintain the Integrity of the Individual and Small Group Health Insurance Markets, proposes removing the requirement of pooling small group and individual insurance benefits. The bill would remove a requirement that was put into law in the previous session. It is in response to three recent major studies that show little to no benefit of the merge/pooling and one showed an increase in premiums for the individual market. Three supported the bill, one of which was Chis Howard of MGARA (to which provides most benefits). Howard noted in his testimony his actuarial consultant’s analysis of the three reports:

“Millman’s report indicates that the merger would reduce MGARA’s ability to deliver benefit to the Individual Market by a margin of approximately 30% - 50%.”

Two were in opposition to LD 352, stating how the pool would reduce risk for the consumers and work to lower costs. One was neither for nor against, David Cough, suggesting the committee not rush and to consider the assumptions made in each of the recent reports.

LD 274, Resolve, Directing the Maine Health Data Organization To Determine the Best Methods and Definitions To Use in Collecting Data To Better Understand Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Provision of Health Care in Maine, and LD 273, An Act To Sustain the Doctors for Maine's Future Scholarship Program were heard Tuesday. LD 274 directs the Maine Health Data Organization to determine the best way to gather data in the State about the racial disparities. All six testimonies were in support of the resolve. Each noting the importance of gathering data now, as Maine has had the nation’s largest racial disparities with COVID-19.

LD 273 would provide further funding for the scholarship program. Without proposed funding, as William Norbert of the Finance Authority of Maine explained, the scholarship program would be forced to cut half of its covered students. MMA’s Dan Morin testified in support, along with twenty-one written testimonies in support. A work session will be held March 4 at 9:30a.m.

On Wednesday, the HHS Committee heard testimony on two bills of medical interest: LD 265 and LD 372. The former, An Act to Provide Women Access to Affordable Postpartum Care, was met with wide support. MMA provided testimony in support of the bill, citing the importance of access to care for babies and mothers in the first year of life. LD 372, An Act to Provide Maine Children Access to Affordable Health Care, was also met with support. Both bills move on to a work session in the near future.

Maine Legislature: Public Hearings & Work Sessions

Note: Hearings and Work Sessions subject to last minute additions and cancelations

LD 315, (WS) Resolve, To Require State Departments To Report on Rule Changes within State Government since the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic

LD 374, An Act To Allow Veterans, Active Duty Service Members and Their Spouses To Apply for Temporary Occupational Licenses and Certifications

LD121 An Act To Require a Background Check for High-risk Health Care Providers under the MaineCare Program

LD 273 (WS) An Act To Sustain the Doctors for Maine's Future Scholarship Program—MMA Support

LD 480 An Act To Establish a Presumption of Entitlement to Counsel for a Person Who Is the Subject of an Adult Guardianship, Conservatorship or Other Protective Arrangement Proceeding

LD38 An Act To Clarify the Timing of an Appeal of a Finding Regarding Involuntary Mental Health Treatment at a Designated Nonstate Mental Health Institution

LD 450 An Act To Promote the Education of Patients by Primary Care and Urgent Care Physicians Regarding the Bone Marrow Transplant List

One-liner: This bill requires insurance carriers to provide coverage in health plans for ultrasound services when a provider considers the procedure necessary during a physical or a preventative exam.

One-liner: This bill requires insurance coverage for services performed by certified midwives

One-liner: This bill amends definitions of “pharmacist” and “practice of pharmacy” in the Maine Pharmacy Act and requires the establishment of the specifications for administering medications, drugs, devices and other materials within the practice of pharmacy by the DPFR and Board of Pharmacy.

LD 612, An Act To Recognize Occupational Licenses and Certifications from Other States To Attract New Residents and Businesses to Maine

One-liner: This bill creates a framework for the various government agencies, boards, departments and other governmental entities that regulate and issue licenses within the State to offer a path to certification or licensure in Maine to persons who hold occupational credentials from other states in order to allow those persons to more quickly qualify to work within their occupations or professions in Maine.

LD 615, An Act To Remove the Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification Requirement for Dental Therapists

One-liner: This bill repeals the requirement that a dental hygienist who applies for dental therapist authority provide verification of a current advanced cardiac life support certification.

One-liner: 1.) Requires carriers to provide by Jan. 1, 2023 at least one electronic tool to facilitate the availability of certain prescription drug benefit information and, 2.) requires the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance to monitor compliance by carriers with the requirements of law related to electronic transmission of prior authorization requests for prescription drugs and to submit report.

LD 629, Resolve, To Establish the Task Force To Study Improving Safety and Provide Protection from Violence for Health Care Workers in Hospitals and Mental Health Care Providers

One-liner: Establishes the Task Force to Study Improving Safety and Provide Protection from Violence for Health Care Workers in Hospitals and Mental Health Care Providers – task force is directed to submit report and suggested legislation for presentation to the Second Regular Session.

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.

February 27, 2021
Maine Society of Anesthesiologists Business Meeting
Virtual Meeting - 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Contact: Lisa Montagna 207-620-4015 or mesahq@gmail.com

April 15, 2021
Maine Association of Psychiatric Physicians Annual Meeting
Virtual Meeting - 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Contact: Dianna Poulin 207-622-7743 or dpoulin@mainemed.com

May 1-2, 2021
Maine Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics Virtual CME Spring Conference
The Impact of Social Determinants of Health and ACE's:
The Provider Role in Mitigating Risk and Promoting Resilience in Youth
Contact: Dee Kerry 207-620-0806 or dkerry@maineaap.org

May 7, 2021
Maine Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons Spring Meeting
Virtual Meeting
Contact: Shirley Goggin 207-445-2260 or sgoggin@mainemed.com

May 21-22, 2021
29th Annual MAFP Family Medicine Update & Annual Meeting
Virtual Meeting
Full brochure and registration available after February 15, 2021 at www.maineafp.org
Contact: Deborah Halbach 207-938-5005 or maineafp@tdstelme.net

Maine CDC Physicians To Host Regular Clinician COVID Vaccine Info Sessions

CDC physicians, and MMA members, Stephen Sears, M.D, MPH, and Lisa Letourneau M.D., MPH will be hosting a series of 30-minute Clinician Info Sessions twice weekly (Tuesdays and Fridays) for the next couple of months to provide key information on the emerging COVID-19 vaccines & offer an opportunity for Q&A with clinicians statewide.

The sessions will start, Tuesday, December 15 and take place at 7:30 a.m., Tuesdays and 12 noon, Fridays until further notice.

Dr. Sears is an epidemiologist & Maine CDC Clinical Advisor for the COVID-19 Response Team, while Dr. Letourneau is Senior Advisor for Delivery System Change at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. We hope you’ will l take advantage of this opportunity to join these two well respected experts.

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AMA Designation Statement The Maine Medical Education Trust designates each Live Internet activity session for a maximum of .5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Joint Providership Statement This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Maine Medical Education Trust and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. The Maine Medical Education Trust is accredited by the Maine Medical Association Committee on Continuing Medical Education and Accreditation to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Suicide Prevention and Management in Healthcare Practice Settings: A Comprehensive Evidence-Based Approach

NAMI Maine is now scheduling this presentation for healthcare practice settings.

Suicide Prevention and Management in Healthcare Practice Settings: A Comprehensive Evidence-Based Approach
Presented by Greg Marley, LCSW - Director of Suicide Prevention, NAMI Maine

For more information and to schedule a presentation, contact the NAMI Maine Suicide Prevention Coordinator at mspp@namimaine.org or at (800) 464-5767 x2318.

A Maine citizen is 13.5 times more likely to die by suicide than by homicide (2016-2018), yet suicide is among the most preventable forms of death. Healthcare practice settings provide an excellent venue for the identification and assessment of suicide risk and the provision of ongoing care to assist in the management of the drivers of suicide.

This 1-hour presentation will provide updated information on trends in suicidal behavior across the lifespan and an overview of the best-practice approach to suicide identification, assessment, and management of suicide within a practice or hospital setting. Tools for practice will be offered to address assessment, Collaborative Safety Planning and coordinated follow-up. This presentation is appropriate to any professional working in a medical, clinical or behavioral health role: medical providers, nurses, social workers and ancillary clinicians and support staff.

In collaboration with the Maine Suicide Prevention Program and NAMI Maine, the Maine Medical Association offers resources for physicians and medical practices at www.mainemed.com/suicide-prevention.

AMA Designation Statement: The Maine Medical Education Trust designates this live internet activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Joint Providership Statement: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Maine Medical Education Trust and NAMI Maine. The Maine Medical Education Trust is accredited by the Maine Medical Association Committee on Continuing Medical Education and Accreditation to provide Continuing Medical Education (CME) for physicians.

Maine CDC Annual Prevention Professionals Conference - March 2nd-3rd

The health and safety of Maine prevention professionals is our first priority, for this reason the Prevention Professionals Conference planned for October 2020 has been rescheduled to March 2 & 3, 2021. The conference will be held virtually over two days.

Save the Dates: March 2 & 3 - The conference content will be delivered virtually over two days.

The conference planning committee is working hard to reevaluate the needs of prevention professionals across the state. The committee is particularly interested in centering this event around exploring and addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion within public health prevention services in Maine.

We would love to hear directly from you all what would be most helpful in this unpredictable time, please take a couple of minutes to let us know your thoughts: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PPCCOVID.

Please be on the lookout for additional information and registration information. Thank you for your patience! Stay well!

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 online course features two tracks; the 19–23-month-old track and the adolescent track with data collection activities specific to each population. The course is eligible for PI CME, NAPNAP, MOC Part 2, and MOC Part 4 credits.

The course is free to AAP members - and for a limited time, is being offered free to ALL rural health clinicians in Maine (Pediatricians AND Family Practice) through an AAP initiative. Additional course information is available here.

For rural health care providers that are non-AAP members and interested in taking this immunization course, contact Melissa Ponce at mponce@aap.org for additional information and to have your course fee waived through the Supporting Pediatricians to Improve HPV and Pediatric Influenza Vaccination Rates Initiative - again, the EQIPP immunization course is open to all Maine physicians serving youth, and the course fee is being waived for ruralhealth clinicians!

Nursing Director

Visit www.yccac.org for an application. Completed cover letter, resume, and YCCAC employment application will be accepted until February 26, 2021.

York County Community Action Corp.
6 Spruce Street, P.O. Box 72
Sanford, ME 04073
(207) 324-5762 or 1-800-965-5762
Fax (207)459-2811

Medical Director - Bucksport Regional Health Center

As an integrated center we are seeking a Medical Director to oversee the structure/scope of our clinical program, provide supervision to physicians, and other clinical providers, lead quality improvement activities and provide ambulatory/primary care for patients.

Enjoy the beautiful coast of Maine - Bucksport Regional Health Center – a community health center serving Bucksport, Maine and the surrounding communities with two locations, Bucksport and Ellsworth, Maine. We have 78 employees and 16 providers (varying hours). As an integrated center we are seeking a Medical Director to oversee the structure/scope of our clinical program, provide supervision to physicians, and other clinical providers, lead quality improvement activities and provide ambulatory/primary care for patients. WE OFFER A SALARY COMPETITIVE TO THE HOSPITAL SETTING!

Rangeley Family Medicine seeks Physician

Contact: HealthReach Community Health Centers, 10 Water Street, Suite 305, Waterville, ME 04901 ~ (207) 660-9913 ~ Fax: (207) 660-9901 communications@HealthReach.org

HealthReach Community Health Centers is a group of eleven Federally Qualified Health Centers in Central and Western Maine. As NCQA certified Patient-Centered Medical Homes, we offer accessible, high quality healthcare with integrated behavioral health, psychiatric medication management, and referrals. To ensure access for everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare and major insurances. In addition, a sliding fee program is available to uninsured and underinsured residents as well as assistance with applications for programs that help with the cost of health care and medications including the Health Insurance Marketplace. A private, non-profit with a 46-year history, HealthReach is funded by patient fees, grants, and individual donations.

Nurse Practitioner

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

Applicants must have a Master’s degree in nursing, an unrestricted Maine license to practice as an adult, family or pediatric nurse practitioner, as well as a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency license. Qualifications include:

Visit www.yccac.org for an application. Completed cover letter, resume, and YCCAC employment application will be accepted until April 23, 2021.

York County Community Action Corp.
6 Spruce Street, P.O. Box 72
Sanford, ME 04073
(207)324-5762 or 1-800-965-5762
Fax (207)459-2811

Physician

Nasson Health Care is seeking a qualified clinical leader to work collaboratively with a team of health and administrative professionals to provide comprehensive primary care to patients while utilizing the Patient-Centered Medical Home model of care delivery. The Physician provides direct clinical services and works in partnership with members of the practice team to manage the care of patients, assuring a high standard of medical care.

Applicants must have a degree from an accredited medical school in the U.S., Board certification in Family or Internal Medicine, an unrestricted Maine license to practice medicine, as well as a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency license. Qualifications include:

Springvale is an iconic New England village located in western York County, Maine, less than an hour’s drive from Portland, Maine and Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Visitwww.nassonhealthcare.org for an application. Completed cover letter, resume, and YCCAC employment application will be accepted until April 23, 2021.

York County Community Action Corp.
6 Spruce Street, P.O. Box 72
Sanford, ME 04073
(207)324-5762 or 1-800-965-5762
Fax (207)459-2811

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Visit www.yccac.org for an application. Completed cover letter, resume, and YCCAC employment application will be accepted until April 23, 2021.

York County Community Action Corp.
6 Spruce Street, P.O. Box 72
Sanford, ME 04073
(207)324-5762 or 1-800-965-5762
Fax (207)459-2811

Maine Medicine Weekly Update - February 26, 2021
(Print All Articles)

BREAKING: Washington Post Reports, “FDA advisers recommend authorization of Johnson & Johnson single-dose coronavirus vaccine”

BREAKING: Maine Adopts Age-based Approach to Expanding Vaccine Eligibility

Committee Delays Debate on Bill to Eliminate Nurse Practitioner Training

“Community Based Collaboration Form” Vaccine Request Available from Maine DHHS/CDC

Maine PMP to Stay with Appriss System

CMS Special Enrollment Period for Marketplace Coverage 2021

Sue Woods, MD, MPH-- Internet connectivity that just works will help Maine thrive

Incoming MMA President, Jeffrey Barkin, MD, DFAPA on WGAN Radio

Next MMA Legislative Call Will Be Wednesday, March 3rd

Daniel Hanley Center for Health Leadership’s Renowned Physician Executive Leadership Institute – The Advanced Course Enrollment is OPEN

PPE Available Through the MMA & ActionPPE

A Message from Maine Responds: Volunteer Opportunity

Maine Legislature Week 7 Update

Maine Legislature: Public Hearings & Work Sessions

Upcoming Specialty Society Meetings

Maine CDC Physicians To Host Regular Clinician COVID Vaccine Info Sessions

Suicide Prevention and Management in Healthcare Practice Settings: A Comprehensive Evidence-Based Approach

Maine CDC Annual Prevention Professionals Conference - March 2nd-3rd

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

Nursing Director

Medical Director - Bucksport Regional Health Center

Rangeley Family Medicine seeks Physician

Nurse Practitioner

Physician

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Maine Medicine Weekly Update - February 26, 2021(Print All Articles)

BREAKING: Washington Post Reports, “FDA advisers recommend authorization of Johnson & Johnson single-dose coronavirus vaccine”

BREAKING: Maine Adopts Age-based Approach to Expanding Vaccine Eligibility

Committee Delays Debate on Bill to Eliminate Nurse Practitioner Training

“Community Based Collaboration Form” Vaccine Request Available from Maine DHHS/CDC

Maine PMP to Stay with Appriss System

CMS Special Enrollment Period for Marketplace Coverage 2021

Sue Woods, MD, MPH-- Internet connectivity that just works will help Maine thrive

Incoming MMA President, Jeffrey Barkin, MD, DFAPA on WGAN Radio

Next MMA Legislative Call Will Be Wednesday, March 3rd

Daniel Hanley Center for Health Leadership’s Renowned Physician Executive Leadership Institute – The Advanced Course Enrollment is OPEN

PPE Available Through the MMA & ActionPPE

A Message from Maine Responds: Volunteer Opportunity

Maine Legislature Week 7 Update

Maine Legislature: Public Hearings & Work Sessions

Upcoming Specialty Society Meetings

Maine CDC Physicians To Host Regular Clinician COVID Vaccine Info Sessions

Suicide Prevention and Management in Healthcare Practice Settings: A Comprehensive Evidence-Based Approach

Maine CDC Annual Prevention Professionals Conference - March 2nd-3rd

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

Nursing Director

Medical Director - Bucksport Regional Health Center

Rangeley Family Medicine seeks Physician

Nurse Practitioner

Physician

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Maine Medicine Weekly Update - February 26, 2021
(Print All Articles)