WAFP Mourns the Loss of Dr. Jonathan Sugarman

The Washington Academy of Family Physicians is heartbroken to learn of the passing of Jonathan Sugarman, MD, MPH, FAAFP. Dr. Sugarman is a former WAFP president (2008-09), represented WAFP at the AAFP Congress of Delegates, and was an officer with the WAFP Foundation. He was and will remain a leading light for the Academy. His…

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CME: Uncovering and Navigating Racism in the Mental Health System

The Washington State Department of Health is offering a two-part CME to help clinicians, support staff, or anyone who works with children and young people. “Navigating Racism in the Mental Health System” will be held virtually on May 4 and 18, 2023, and led by Makinie Fortino, LMFT. Attendees will learn about the research behind…

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AAFP Adds Webpage for New Regulations for Physicians Who Prescribe Controlled Substances

The MATE Act, recently passed by Congress, changes requirements for physicians who prescribe controlled substances — most notably by requiring the completion of a one-time, eight-hour training session prior to their first registration or renewal of their DEA license. The AAFP has published a webpage collating this other requirements and guidance from federal agencies as…

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DOH to End Masking Mandate in Health Care Facilities on April 3

The Washington State Department of Health has announced that its masking directive for health care, long-term care, and adult correctional facilities for people ages 5 and up will end April 3. DOH will continue to recommend masking, though local or tribal governments, facilities, or clinicians may choose to continue requiring masks. The State of Oregon…

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WAFP Survey Participants Sought for Practice Patterns of Pediatric Primary Care Providers in Management of Undescended Testes

Do you provide pediatric primary care? Please complete a brief 2-minute survey to share your experience with the management of undescended testicles. This survey is completely anonymous. On completion of the survey, you will be provided with links to the most up to date information on managing undescended testicles. Additional resources can be found here. For…

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The X-Waiver Is No More

Among the bills appropriations bills signed by President Joe Biden on Dec. 29 was legislation to officially eliminate the X-waiver for physicians and other providers who treat patients with substance use disorder. That means any member of the care team with a Drug Enforcement Agency registration that includes Schedule III medications may now prescribe buprenorphine.…

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State WIC Program to Drop Temporary Formula Approvals in February

In response to the voluntary recall of Abbott infant formula, the Washington State Department of Health temporarily added 93 formulas to its approved list. The additional formulas were added thanks in part to a waiver from the US Department of Agriculture. Those waivers, however, will begin to expire on Feb. 28. Because of this, WIC…

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CMS Investigating Data Breach Which May Involve Personal Information

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is investigating a data breach at one of its subcontractors. The data breach may affect as many as 245,000 Medicare beneficiaries, and both personally identifiable information and protected health information may have been compromised. Although it is unclear where the affected patients may reside, CMS is asking physicians…

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