What’s the news: The AMA commended the Trump administration for declaring the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a national emergency and for the appointment of Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Brett Giroir, MD, to coordinate testing services, but also called on the administration to be as creative, flexible and transparent as possible regarding possible regulatory barriers to potential solutions.
Additionally, the AMA told Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar about the deep concerns physicians have regarding: Their ability to test patients, availability of clear information on where to turn for testing services, continuing confusion regarding testing protocols, and where physicians and other frontline health care professionals can obtain personal protective equipment (PPE).
“We strongly urge HHS to provide further clarity around testing criteria and to work with stakeholders, including state and local health departments, in these communities to eliminate misunderstandings around testing protocol and prioritization,” James L. Madara, MD, the AMA’s executive vice president and CEO, said in a letter to Azar. “If HHS anticipates that there will be a shortage of PPE, the AMA urges HHS to have a dialogue with the physician community sooner rather than later.”
Why it’s important: The emergency declaration was needed to allow physicians, hospitals and other health care providers more flexibility in coordinating care for patients and to streamline critical processes is vitally important to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
“The AMA commends the Administration for declaring the COVID-19 outbreak a national emergency under the Stafford Act,” said AMA President Patrice A. Harris, MD, MA. “This emergency declaration is necessary to help ensure America’s health care system has sufficient resources to properly respond to the ongoing outbreak, prevent further spread of illness, and keep our communities safe.”
The AMA—along with the American Hospital Association and American Nurses Association—had previously sent a joint letter to Vice President Michael Pence requesting that a national emergency be declared.
“America’s health care system must be there to help communities face an emergency from a natural disaster, a manmade disaster, or a virulent contagious disease,” the associations told Vice President Pence. “This requested action will provide the support we need in our collective mission to support the well-being, health and safety of patients by allowing flexibility at a time when it is needed most.”
To learn more: The AMA developed a COVID-19 online resource center as well as a new Physicians Guide to COVID-19 to provide physicians with a comprehensive place to find the latest resources and updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization to help prepare their practices, address patient concerns, and provide answers to physicians’ most pressing questions.
“The AMA recognizes as these issues get addressed others may emerge,” Dr. Madara wrote. “We stand ready to work with you and your colleagues throughout HHS to address this latest and unprecedented public health threat.”
