• The Maryland Department of Health all-physician call (accredited for CME by MedChi) will be held today, Monday, June 22 at 5:00 pm.

• Merritt Hawkins has shared informative and interesting survey results on Physicians and COVID-19. This interview explains more about the results.

• HHS is hosting two webcasts at 2 pm EST on Tuesday, June 23 and Thursday, June 25 for physicians and other health care professionals who are interested in learning more about the application process for the CARES Act Provider Relief Funds. Registration is required.

• Gene Ransom was interviewed on WBAL Radio discussing hospitals and doctors facing financial challenges during the outbreak of COVID-19.  The interview focuses on the Care Act and next steps to improve the economics of health care. Watch it here.

• The AMA and CDC are collaborating on an infection prevention and control training initiative for front line health care personnel. In order for this training to be as responsive to the needs of physicians as possible, we are asking you to complete this 10-minute survey on infection prevention and control training interests, needs, and preferences by June 23. Responses will be used to inform decisions on the development and delivery of training to ensure it best meets the needs of you and your colleagues.

• We are aware of several services for physicians and other health care providers who would be interested in stress relief services during the time of the pandemic. The Physician Support Line was launched on March 30 to provide free counseling to doctors facing challenges during the pandemic. Its website describes it as a “national, free, and confidential support line service made up of 600+ volunteer psychiatrists, joined together in the determined hope to provide peer support for our physician colleagues as we all navigate the COVID-19 epidemic.” More information is available at the website. The support line can be reached at 1-888-409-0141. Physicians in Maryland are reminded that stress or other issues can also be addressed by appointment through the Maryland Physicians Health Program, 410-962-5580 or 800-992-7010.

• MedChi has heard from several physician practices about business interruption insurance claim denials. We want to help these physicians and other health professionals. We hope to provide you with direct assistance, referrals, or other support. We can also develop a broad advocacy plan – but first, we need to learn more about who and how many physicians are impacted by these denials. If you have experienced a business interruption insurance claim denials, please email me to discuss.  

• Keep sending us your photos for our #MaskUpMonday social media campaign to encourage everyone to wear masks in public. Please send us a selfie or other photo of you, your family, and/or your colleagues wearing masks and tell us who you are "masking up" for (your patients, your family, an at-risk friend, etc). Let's share with the public why physicians encourage and participate in universal masking during this pandemic. Please send your photos to cjohannesen@medchi.org.