Posts by Jeremy

Beginning on Saturday, July 16, patients in mental health-related distress will be able to dial 988 to access care and support for suicidal ideation, mental health or substance use crisis or any other kind of emotional distress. The line will also assist those concerned about a loved one who is in distress. The code, made…

The WSMA has joined the Washington State Department of Health to host a new webinar series to help physician practices and clinics access the tools and information they need to incorporate the COVID-19 vaccines into their practice workflows and employ effective strategies to engage patients in conversations about the vaccine. The first session, focused on…

BELLEVUE, Wash.—The Washington Academy of Family Physicians (WAFP) issued the following statement following the US Supreme Court decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization: The Washington Academy of Family Physicians is dismayed by the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The ruling overturns longstanding protections afforded by Roe v. Wade…

With children from 6 months old to 5 years old now eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19, the Washington State Department of Health has released a list of resources to help speed vaccination of the estimated 380,000 Washington children now eligible. Vaccine deliveries began this week, with the DOH continuing to place orders with the…

The University of Washington’s Perinatal Psychiatry Consultation Line is available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Physicians can now call in with questions related to co-morbid substance use and mental health. Dial 877-725-4666 or email ppcl@uw.edu to connect. (UW also has a general-use psychiatric consultation line, which is available 24-7 at 877-WA-PSYCH [877-927-7924].) UW…

The Federal Trade Commission announced Tuesday that it had authorized an inquiry into the six largest pharmacy benefit managers: CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, OptumRx, Humana, Prime Therapeutics, and MedImpact Healthcare Systems. The agency is requiring each of the companies to provide information and records regarding their business practices. Among the areas of inquiry are the…

From the Washington State Department of Health: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently updated adult vaccine recommendations related to hepatitis B vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, and Shingrix. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all adults aged 19-59 years regardless of risk factors, and anyone 60 years or older with risk factors. Hepatitis B vaccine…

WAFP held its 65th annual House of Delegates (HOD) on Saturday, giving membership a chance to weigh in on policy resolutions and elect leadership for the coming year. Nine resolutions were adopted on a range of topics, from WAFP’s nominating process to building electrification to gender-affirming care. You can see the resolutions, as adopted by…

Washington state’s Chief Science Officer indicated that while COVID-19 therapeutics have been in short supply in the past, they are available now. COVID-19 therapeutics including monoclonal antibodies Sotrovimab, Bebtelovimab and Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab (Evusheld) and antiviral medications Molnupiravir and Paxlovid are available in Washington state through allocations from the federal government. The medications are available by prescription…