December 21, 2021 Issue 129 |
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KMA President Neal Moser, M.D. Speaks to Mining Group to Encourage COVID-19 Vaccinations |
On Dec. 8, KMA President and pulmonologist Neal Moser, M.D., spoke to more than 100 attendees of the Kentucky Crushed Stone Association during their Underground Stone Safety Seminar regarding the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Event organizers invited Dr. Moser to speak after being introduced to the KMA and KFMC’s “Take It From Me” campaign, a partnership with the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, Kentucky Hospital Association and Kentucky Primary Care Association. Dr. Moser shared one of the campaign PSAs during his presentation.
An on-site vaccination clinic was open following the presentation, and by the end of the day, 20 attendees had received either their first or second doses of the vaccine or their booster shot.
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New “Take It From Me” PSAs Focus on Pediatric COVID Vaccinations |
KMA, the Kentucky Foundation for Medical Care (KFMC), the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, the Kentucky Hospital Association and the Kentucky Primary Care Association have released two new public service announcements as part of the “Take It From Me” COVID-19 vaccine campaign focused on encouraging vaccinations among pediatric patients ages 5-11.
The thirty-second and one-minute spots feature Pat Purcell, M.D., a Louisville pediatrician, and emphasize the safety and efficacy of the vaccine for that age group. Dr. Purcell, a 2021 KPLI graduate who is also a mother and grandmother, encourages parents to talk to their primary care physician or pediatrician if they have questions or concerns.
Both PSAs are available on KMA’s YouTube channel and are being distributed for airplay statewide. The spots have already been featured on Spectrum News 1.
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KMA Immediate Past President Dale Toney, M.D., Other KMA Members, Honored During 2021 MediStar Awards |
KMA Immediate Past President Dale Toney, M.D., has been recognized by MediStar as a 2021 Leadership in Healthcare honoree.
Dr. Toney was selected for his leadership during his KMA presidency and for encouraging both the health and safety of KMA members and patients.
“Dale Toney, M.D., is a calm, yet motivating leader for the thousands of Kentucky physicians who are members of the Kentucky Medical Association (KMA). While serving as KMA President from 2020-2021, he initiated the launch of a number of public health campaigns reaching more than 3 million Kentuckians that provided simple yet impactful messages to patients regarding safety and prevention in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Toney leads by example by engaging with patients through the campaign, while also encouraging other physicians to have those difficult conversations with their patients.”
Nine additional KMA members were honored as 2021 MediStar Award winners. They include:
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Bethany Cox Snider, M.D., HMDC, FAAHPM
Leadership in Healthcare Honoree
Jason Smith, M.D., PhD
Leadership in Healthcare Honoree
Brit Anderson, M.D.
Healthcare Advocacy Honoree
Kelly McCants, M.D.
Healthcare Advocacy Honoree
Christopher Jones, M.D.
Healthcare Advocacy Honoree
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Charlotte Stites, M.D.
Physician of the Year Honoree
Hugh Shoff, M.D.
Physician of the Year Honoree
Sarah Moyer, M.D.
Physician of the Year Honoree
Valerie Briones-Pryor, M.D.
Physician of the Year Honoree
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Register Today: A Conversation with Leader Joni L. Jenkins |
The Kentucky Physicians Political Action Committee (KPPAC) is inviting members to attend an exclusive, KMA member-only webinar on Thursday, Jan. 13 at 7:00 p.m. ET that will feature special guest Minority Leader of the Kentucky House of Representatives Joni L. Jenkins. Leader Jenkins represents the 44th District and has served in the Kentucky House of Representatives since 1995. Her experience offers a unique perspective on Frankfort and the politics and personalities that shape state healthcare policy. The event will be moderated by KPPAC Chair Dr. Michael Kuduk.
COVID has impacted every facet of our society, including the ability to raise funds for important causes. Unfortunately, KPPAC is no exception. Therefore, to participate in this event, KMA members are asked to make a contribution to KPPAC with a suggested amount of $25. However, any amount will be accepted. Event proceeds will help replenish KPPAC funds before the next election cycle and ensure physicians have an impact on the makeup of the Kentucky General Assembly.
Registration is available here. For any questions regarding this event, please contact Cory Meadows, meadows@kyma.org.
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KMA Joins PAI Amicus Brief on No Surprises Act |
Last week, KMA signed on to an amicus brief filed by The Physicians Advocacy Institute (PAI) in support of the Texas Medical Association (TMA)’s lawsuit alleging that the federal agencies responsible for implementing the No Surprises Act failed to follow clear direction from Congress on how arbiters should resolve surprise medical billing disputes between physicians and insurers under the law.
The No Surprises Act, passed by Congress and signed into law in 2020, channels payment disputes between physicians and insurers through an independent, third-party arbiter and requires that several factors must be taken into account as part of the arbitration.
“Physicians strongly support action to ensure the No Surprises Act is able to protect patients and promote fairness in resolving billing disputes as Congress intended,” said Dustin Corcoran, president of PAI and chief executive officer of the California Medical Association. “Federal regulators found a creative approach to rewrite the rules of engagement in insurers’ favor,” Corcoran continued. “The No Surprises Act requires arbiters to treat physicians and insurers fairly when resolving billing disputes. The interim final rule supported by insurers effectively undoes the law. If it is allowed to stand, it will boost insurers’ profits at the expense of physicians and patients.”
KMA President Neal Moser, M.D., agrees. “This legal action is important to the entire medical community. The regulations being issued go beyond the law that Congress passed and seem to run counter to what KMA and others advocated for when the law was being debated.”
KMA joined twelve other state medical associations in signing on to the brief. The No Surprises Act will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2022.
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Kentucky Hospital Association COVID-19 Dashboard
The latest update of the Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) COVID-19 Dashboard is now available here. The dashboard is an effort to provide current information about hospitalizations and ICU bed usage rates due to the novel Coronavirus.
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Promoting more child vaccines in Kentucky
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Sun Inspires Collaboration at Norton
KMA member David Sun, M.D., PhD, a neurosurgeon and the director for the Norton Neuroscience Institute in Louisville, was featured in MD-Update magazine for inspiring collaboration and communication at Norton.
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Odago Joins CHI Saint Joseph
KMA member Fred Odago, M.D., joined CHI Saint Joseph Medical Group in Lexington as a neurologist.
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9300 Shelbyville Road Suite 850
Louisville, Kentucky 40222
502.426.6200
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Kentucky Health eNews is sponsored by:
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The exclusively endorsed medical malpractice insurer of the KMA |
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