Indiana physicians are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, working diligently to save lives while taking steps to protect their patients and their staff. Based on these firsthand experiences, the Indiana State Medical Association is sending a letter to Gov. Eric Holcomb this week urging the governor’s office to make policy changes that will strengthen Indiana’s ability to contain the virus and help Hoosiers get the care they need.

The letter outlines several actions ISMA recommends:

• Seek flexibility for the use of telemedicine services to prevent exposure, including the ability to prescribe controlled substances through telemedicine without a prior in-person visit.
• Promote access to available COVID-19 testing by ensuring that all payers, public and private, are promptly processing and paying for COVID-19 testing.
• Boost Indiana’s health care workforce through federal waivers that allow physicians and other health care providers who are not licensed in Indiana to work in our state on a temporary basis.

Be sure to follow ISMA at www.ISMAnet.org and on Facebook and Twitter to read the letter once it is made public. Feel free to share the letter once it is announced publicly, to strengthen Hoosier physicians’ leadership in fighting COVID-19.