Pertinent Information

HCMA Installation Dinner

Tuesday, May 9, 2023 

6:15pm - The Westshore Grand

Dr. Michael Cromer will be installed as HCMA's 120th President.  Don't miss an enjoyable evening of complimentary drinks, hors d'oeuvres, music, dining & dancing.  Entertainment provided by Don Juceum, Tampa Bay's Frank Sinatra! Sponsors include The Bank of Tampa, Florida Blue, MCMS Inc. Insurance Trust. For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or to register, contact the HCMA office (813.253.0471),  or click here. Please note the new start time.

DROP DATE was March 31st.

Letters are being sent this week that will notify members who have let their HCMA membership lapse. If you are not sure if you paid your 2023 membership dues, please contact Asta Orthman, HCMA Membership Coordinator, or call the HCMA office at 813.253.0471. Your dues can also be easily and securely paid online by visiting the HCMA website and logging into your account.

The FDA may soon authorize a spring round of COVID-19 boosters for some people.

The FDA is reconsidering the situation and may authorize a second booster with the bivalent vaccines for at least some people, such as those who are at high risk because they have compromised immune systems or are 65 and older, a federal official who was not authorized to speak publicly told NPR. A decision could be announced within weeks. Read more.

Moderna's Steep COVID Vaccine Price: Corporate Greed or Capitalism?

On May 11, the U.S. public health emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 will end. And with it, many Americans will no longer have access to free, government-sponsored COVID vaccines. Moderna raised eyebrows recently -- including from Congress - when it announced plans to increase the price of its COVID-19 mRNA vaccine by more than 400% from $26 to $130. Although Moderna has promised a patient assistance program to provide its vaccine for free for approximately 30 million uninsured Americans, the details on this program are scant and paperwork for such initiatives can be prohibitive.  Read more.

Nasal COVID treatment shows early promise against multiple variants

Known as TriSb92 (brand name Covidin, from drugmaker Pandemblock Oy in Finland), the viral inhibitor also appears effective against all coronavirus variants of concern, neutralizing even the Omicron variants BA.5, XBB, and BQ.1.1 in laboratory and mice studies. Unlike a COVID vaccine that boosts a person's immune system as protection, the antiviral nasal spray works more directly by blocking the virus, acting as a "biological mask in the nasal cavity," according to the biotechnology company set up to develop the treatment. Read more.

Delegates Needed!

The FMA Annual Meeting is being held July 28-30 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando.  The HCMA is allotted 35 delegates to represent our Association at the meeting.   The HCMA Delegates will meet, via ZOOM, on April 25th to prepare for the FMA Annual Meeting, discuss resolution topics, and review the announced candidates for FMA office.  If you are interested in serving as an HCMA delegate to the FMA and attending the meeting on April 25th, please contact Elke Lubin for more information.

HCMA Government Affairs Committee

The HCMA's Government Affairs Committee (GAC) is gearing up for another busy legislative season. 

• The GAC, in conjunction with the FMA, has compiled a list of 2023 Legislative Priorities, that will be presented to our legislators locally, through our Key Contact program, and in Tallahassee.
• The GAC is coordinating a contingency of members to visit Tallahassee on April 18th which is during the 2023 Legislative Session. This one-day event includes a meeting with FMA legislative experts to brief attendees on the important issues of the day and appointments will be secured for our contingency to meet with legislators and/or their administrative staff.  Members often arrive in Tallahassee the evening prior to the scheduled day at the Capitol.
• If you are interested in joining the GAC contingency in their visit to Tallahassee, contact Elke Lubin or call the HCMA office: 813.253.0471.

HCMA Annual Membership Directory - now accepting ads

Promote your practice to your colleagues and to the public.  The HCMA Annual Membership Directory, published each summer, lists all members alphabetically and practicing physicians are listed by primary specialty. The Directory is printed and mailed to all Active HCMA members and is also posted on the HCMA website. Physicians can enhance their listing and/or secure additional advertising space.  Members receive a discounted rate to advertise.  Details can be found HERE.

Have you created your HCMA profile yet?

In order to make use of our innovative new database and all of its features, all HCMA members need to create a password for their profile.

By setting up your profile, it will ensure that you have full access to our website in which you can update your office information, your home mailing address, RSVP to our events, pay dues, and receive all future correspondence from the HCMA.

Please follow these few simple steps to set up your profile:

• Log in to your HCMA account at www.hcma.net 
• Click the orange sign-in icon located in the upper right-hand corner 
• Enter your email address - IF YOU HAVE NOT CREATED A PASSWORD YET, click the "forgot password" link and follow the instructions. 

If you have any questions please contact Anni Blackwell.