Philips Recall Issue- Our Collective Work:
On June 30, 2021, the FDA issued a safety communication recalling about 3-4 million Philips Respironics Ventilators, BiPAP, and CPAP Machines due to potential health risks.
Our members, especially those specializing in sleep medicine, expressed concerns about the device recalls (and recommendations to cease using devices immediately) and the potential erosion of patient care, including the likelihood of adverse patient outcomes. After invaluable input from PAO-HNS sleep member experts, we sent our draft letter to PAMED’s practice support department for input. PAO-HNS recently finalized our recipient list and correspondence. Letters went out to the appropriate stakeholders for review and comment in early November.
Attached for your review is a copy of draft template letters- one for commercial insurers and the other for DME providers- that can be used by members seeking advocacy for their patients on this issue. For your convenience, I have also provided a listing of DME suppliers and health insurers providing service in the commonwealth. NOTE: this is not an exhaustive list so feel free to add/delete/update as appropriate.
Thanks to the following PAO-HNS members for their invaluable guidance and clinical expertise in the success of this project:
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Deborah Ann Shoemaker, PAO-HNS Lobbyist at dshoemaker@pamedsoc.org.
Our members, especially those specializing in sleep medicine, expressed concerns about the device recalls (and recommendations to cease using devices immediately) and the potential erosion of patient care, including the likelihood of adverse patient outcomes. After invaluable input from PAO-HNS sleep member experts, we sent our draft letter to PAMED’s practice support department for input. PAO-HNS recently finalized our recipient list and correspondence. Letters went out to the appropriate stakeholders for review and comment in early November.
Attached for your review is a copy of draft template letters- one for commercial insurers and the other for DME providers- that can be used by members seeking advocacy for their patients on this issue. For your convenience, I have also provided a listing of DME suppliers and health insurers providing service in the commonwealth. NOTE: this is not an exhaustive list so feel free to add/delete/update as appropriate.
Thanks to the following PAO-HNS members for their invaluable guidance and clinical expertise in the success of this project:
- Maurits Boon, MD- Committee Chair (Sleep Medicine)
- David Cognetti, MD, FACS- President
- David Goldenberg MD, FACS- Board Member At-Large
- Neerav Goyal, MD, FACS- Committee Co-Chair (Head/Neck Surgery)
- Collin T. Huntley, MD, FACS- Secretary
- Venkatesh Basappa Krishnamurthy, MD, FACS
- Johnathan D. McGinn, MD, FACS- Immediate Past President
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Deborah Ann Shoemaker, PAO-HNS Lobbyist at dshoemaker@pamedsoc.org.
Grassroots Advocacy Update
November 24, 2021
Coalition Grassroots Activity
Collaboration with PAMED/medical specialty colleagues
Telehealth:
- PAO-HNS lobbyist filed Second Friday Pre-Election PAC report prior to October 22nd deadline.
- PAO-HNS lobbyist will be filing 30-day Post-Election PAC report prior to December 2nd deadline.
- PAO-HNS lobbyist continues work on reconfirming Dr. McCall to State Board of Audiology. His term expired June 18th (with cushion of December 2021). I contacted Senator William’s office in late October, and they said they are watching the executive nominations calendar to determine when his nomination must be considered. As information is available, updates will be provided.
Collaboration with PAMED/medical specialty colleagues
Telehealth:
- Based on enacted legislation early this session, citizens of the commonwealth voted to amend PA Constitution to limit governor’s public emergency declarations to 21 days with no ability to renew. After much consumer and healthcare provider outrage and public pressure, House Republican leadership introduced House Bill 1861 to extending those policies initiated during COVID from September 30th for another 6 months. The governor signed the bill into law in late September and its provisions immediately went into effect.
- Three pieces of legislation have been introduced to permanently extend telemedicine coverage across the state. PAO-HNS lobbyist has been working with PAMED Government Relations staff to review proposed initiatives to determine next step(s).
- Senate Bill 25 (CRNP independent practice) is sitting on the Senate tabled calendar. PAMED leads grassroots advocacy efforts to oppose proposed legislation. It is our understanding that bill does not have legs to get across the finish line.
- Senate Bill 397-Senate Bill 398 (Physician Assistant Independent Practice) passed the state legislature in early fall. PAMED worked closely to amend the bills to ensure that independent practice would not occur but allow expansion of Physician Assistant’s scope of practice. Governor Wolf signed these bills into law on October 7th (Act 78 and Act 769 of 2021).
- It was brought to attention of PAO-HNS board and our lobbyist that Respironics’s Phillips recent recall of 3-4 million additional devices (and their recommendation to patients to stop using them) impedes patient care with potential adverse outcomes.
- After invaluable input from PAO-HNS sleep member experts, PAO-HNS lobbyist sent draft letter to PAMED’s practice support department for input. PAO-HNS lobbyist, in collaboration with our amazing leadership, finalized the documentation and sent it out the door. Template letters and potential DME/insurer lists were put on the advocacy portion of our website for member use. As responses are received from our letters, updates will be given.
General Assembly Session Dates
2021 SENATE SESSION
December 13, 14, 15
2021 HOUSE SESSION SCHEDULE
December 13, 14, 15
December 13, 14, 15
2021 HOUSE SESSION SCHEDULE
December 13, 14, 15
