November 2, 2020
SC COVID-19 Vaccination Program Enrollment
Letter from State Epidemiologist, Dr. Linda Bell: The success of our state’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign will depend on the collaboration of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), our vaccine planning partners, health care systems and South Carolina health care providers to administer pandemic vaccines. Vaccination with a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, in addition to other important disease mitigation and prevention efforts such as face masks, frequent handwashing, and physical distancing, can help bring this pandemic under control.
October 26, 2020
American Academy of Pediatrics Offers Interim Guidance on Children’s Emotional and Behavioral Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic; Child Care Interim Guidance is Updated
The COVID-19 pandemic has exhausted families and upended routines, posing new challenges for children and adolescents who are struggling with existing or emerging behavioral and emotional health issues. Yet children are resilient, especially when they have the right supports in place. To make sure children’s needs do not go undetected during this tumultuous time, the American Academy of Pediatrics has released new interim guidance on” Supporting the Emotional and Behavioral Health Needs of Children, Adolescents and Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic.”
October 21, 2020
OxyContin maker to plead guilty to federal criminal charges, pay $8 billion, and will close the company
New York (CNN Business) Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, has agreed to plead guilty to three federal criminal charges for its role in creating the nation's opioid crisis and will pay more than $8 billion and close down the company.
October 16, 2020
Vaccines for Children Policy and Coding Update
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) is revising agency policies related to the administration of vaccines obtained through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program to Healthy Connections Medicaid-enrolled children.
October 7, 2020
DHEC Updates Guidance on Testing Asymptomatic Persons for SARS-CoV-2
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental has updated its interim guidance on testing and isolation requirements following testing. The update was made after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s September 18, 2020, update of guidance on testing for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including for those without symptoms of COVID-19.
September 22, 2020
AMA, AHA, ANA mark coronavirus deaths in U.S. as toll tops 200,000
“Today we mark a somber milestone as more than 200,000 people in the United States have died of COVID-19 over the course of the pandemic. Those lost include mothers and fathers, grandparents, children, teachers, and frontline workers. The steps required to stop the spread of this virus should be well known by now, but with more than 6 million COVID-positive Americans, we say again: wear your mask, wash your hands, and practice physical distancing."
September 14, 2020
Survey: Majority of U.S. physicians report pay cuts due to COVID-19
The majority of U.S. doctors say they've seen a reduction in how much they're getting paid during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report from Medscape.
September 2, 2020
Call to Action! Protect Physicians from COVID-19 Liability!
ALERT! The SCMA needs your help! The Senate and House are considering legislation to protect physicians from COVID-19 lawsuits. Act now to ensure this legislation is passed. Physicians should not be sued for serving the public during a pandemic.
August 29, 2020
California Governor Newsom signs landmark CMA-supported law to protect children from candy-flavored tobacco
Despite fierce opposition from Big Tobacco, California Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday signed into law a bill that will end the sale of flavored tobacco products – including minty menthol. With the governor’s signature on SB 793 (Hill, D-San Mateo), California will have among the nation's strongest protections against Big Tobacco’s business model that markets deadly tobacco products to kids, especially in low-income and Black and Brown communities.
