ISMA’s Government Relations team continues to stay busy advocating for physicians and patients during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). Much of that work takes place behind the scenes. Letters to policy makers and key stakeholders also play a role.

Here are a few issues on which the ISMA or the AMA has engaged recently through these letters. 

VA scope of practice for CRNAs: This AMA letter, which ISMA joined, encourages the secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to rescind a memorandum letting certified registered nurse assistants (CNRAs) practice in VA medical facilities without physician oversight during the PHE.

Tax consequences of CARES Act provider relief funds: In this letter, the AMA and key national health care provider organizations ask congressional leaders to clarify that COVID-19 relief funding for health care providers is not taxable and that recipients of those funds maintain tax deductions attributable to the funds.

Maintaining telehealth flexibilities: ISMA is planning a series of letters to major commercial payers requesting that flexibilities in billing and reimbursement for telehealth adopted during the COVID-19 PHE be continued and that physicians be notified as far in advance as possible of when payers plan to rescind those flexibilities. 

Accessibility of clinical skills testing for medical students: Following the mandate of Resolution 19-34, ISMA wrote to the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB)/United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) asking that the cost of the USMLE Step 2 CS exam be reduced and that medical students be allowed to take the exam locally. The USMLE responded quickly, saying those concerns would be considered in planning for future exams. A similar letter from ISMA regarding the cost of the COMLEX Level 2 PE exam for osteopathic medical students was sent to the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners late last week.