Wyoming's 66th Legislature adjourned Wednesday, November 3, closing out the 2021 Special Session. Seven days of work produced one bill, House Bill 1002, that now sits on the Governor's desk for signature.
After numerous amendments and heated debate on HB1001, the Senate narrowly defeated its final passage leaving only one bill left for consideration.
HB1002 prohibits Wyoming public entities not currently receiving federal funding from enforcing any federal mandate to require an employer to ensure or require COVID-19 vaccination. The prohibition is enforceable during any period that the federal mandate is subject to a federal judicial stay applicable in WY. The prohibition is not enforceable after the federal law takes legal effect.
HB1002 appropriates $4 M from the state general fund to the governor's office for purposes of funding legal actions and litigation to challenge and resist federal government action related to COVID-19 vaccination mandates. The bill authorizes the state to initiate legal action in the name of the state of Wyoming and further authorizes the state to join a lawsuit initiated by Wyoming residents who were personally injured, or whose livelihood is negatively affected, by federal vaccine mandates.
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Federal Administration Releases COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements |
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On Thursday, November 4, the Biden-Harris Administration issued emergency regulations requiring COVID-19 vaccination for health care workers. The regulation was issued through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to protect those fighting. the virus.
Facilities covered by the regulation must establish a policy ensuring all eligible staff have received the first dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine or a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine prior to providing any care, treatment, or other services by December 5, 2021. All eligible staff must have received the necessary shots to be fully vaccinated by January 4, 2022.
The regulation provides for exemptions based on recognized medical conditions or religious beliefs, observances, or practices. Facilities must develop a similar process or plan for permitting exemptions in alignment with federal law.
- The full CMS press release can be viewed HERE.
- An 11-page FAQ around the new regulations and published by CMS can be viewed HERE.
- The full text of the rule can be viewed HERE
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Value Based Arrangement Toolkit |
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The Physicians Advocacy Institute ("PAI") is pleased to share an exciting new suite of physician practice resources relating to Value-Based Arrangements. PAI partnered with the health care experts at Healthsperien to develop this Value Based Arrangements Toolkit, which provides step-by-step support for physicians and their practice management teams as they navigate an increasingly complex array of value-based payment arrangements. Each module in the toolkit provides easy-to-understand yet comprehensive information that physician practices need to successfully tackle the various elements of these arrangements.
These new resources build further on PAI's efforts to educate physicians on payment programs, including the comprehensive PAI Medicare Quality Payment Program ("QPP") Toolkit, which includes a vast array of resources to inform and support physicians' successful participation in the QPP.
PAI's resources are all available free of charge on PAI's website (which also houses PAI's research on physician practice trends and other important topics as well as information on PAI's advocacy initiatives to help secure fair, transparent payment for physician practices). I urge you to share these valuable resources with your physician members through links in your organization's websites, newsletters, social media or other communications vehicles. We plan to add additional resources, including videos, podcasts and webinars, to complement these materials in coming weeks.
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CDC has now lowered the amount of lead to code as elevated from 5 to 3.5. From CDC's page.
Some of the documents below refer to a blood lead level of 5 micrograms per deciliter (μg/dL) as the CDC’s blood lead reference value. CDC uses a blood lead reference value of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) to identify children with blood lead levels that are higher than most children’s levels. This level is based on the 97.5th percentile of the blood lead values among U.S. children ages 1-5 years from the 2015-2016 and 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles. Children with blood lead levels at or above the BLRV represent those at the top 2.5% with the highest blood lead levels.
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Please join CDC and CMS for a town hall to discuss the COVID-19 pediatric vaccine.
The purpose of this Town Hall is to discuss the key aspects of a COVID-19 vaccination program for children age 5 through 11 and to discuss readying reimbursement systems for upcoming COVID-19 vaccine doses. This Town Hall is designed for health insurance issuers and payers, and Medicaid Health Plans. Policy experts will present information on these topics and participants will have an opportunity to ask questions. Please see the recent Press Releases from CMS and CDC for more information.
When: November 8, 2021 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET
Speakers:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
*Additional confirmed speakers and an agenda will be shared with participants that RSVP.
Who should attend: This Town Hall is designed for leadership and employees of Health Insurance Issuers and Payers and Medicaid Health Plans.
Please RSVP by Monday, November 8, 2021 at 12:00 PM ET.
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WPAP Supports WY Healthcare |
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Healthcare Provider Support Group
We know many of you are on the frontlines during this current surge of COVID-19 infections—feeling stressed, tired, and burnout. We see you, and we appreciate you.
If you’re needing additional support, or have a colleague who is, consider this weekly confidential support group for health care providers coping with burnout, PTSD and stress related to treating COVID-19.
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Every Thursday at 6:30 PM Mountain Time
Meeting ID: 868 9748 7256
Dial in
+1 669 900 6833
Meeting ID: 868 9748 7256
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COVID-19 Immunization Data |
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Click image to view full sized report. |
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Here you will find:
- Vaccine program provider enrollment
- Required training for COVID-19 vaccine coordinators
- COVID-19 vaccine resources and information
- COVID-19 vaccination program templates and forms
- CDC's V-Safe After Vaccination Health Checker
- Wyoming Immunization Registry (WyIR) Resources
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Online Education Opportunities |
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Mountain States Regional Genetics Network -
Genetic Summit 2021
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Join Mountain States Regional Genetics Network November 9-10, 2021 for the MSRGN Genetics Summit 2021: Connecting the Dots, a virtual summit to educate, engage, and connect families, providers, and public health professionals around contemporary topics in genetics. During the summit distinguished speakers will cover a variety of timely genetics topics including the latest medical knowledge, clinical best practices, health care policy, reaching underserved populations, telegenetics, and more. Register now to participate in the summit at no cost: https://bit.ly/37Q3jmL
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Pustular Psoriasis: Recognizing and Treating a Rare But Serious Disease |
June 21, 2021 - June 21, 2022
Pustular psoriasis is a clinically heterogenous group of rare psoriasis subtypes characterized by aseptic, neutrophil-rich pustules. The three most common types are generalized pustular psoriasis, palmoplantar pustular psoriasis, and acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau. The diagnosis of pustular psoriasis relies mainly on clinical features and is challenging.
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For more education opportunities visit the
There is A LOT of content on the calendar!
Check it out today!!
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Thank you 2021 Friends of WMS! |
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