They Said It...

“For the cancer study, the researchers examined the PA DOH Cancer Registry between 2010 and 2019. They looked only at 4 types of cancer in children — leukemia, lymphoma, brain and CNS tumors, and bone tumors like Ewing sarcoma — and found 498 cases in the 8-county area of SWPA. The study found that children living within 1 mile from one or more fracked gas wells had 5-7 times the risk of developing lymphoma compared to kids living more than 5 miles away." Dr. Ned Ketyer, President of Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania, discussing the findings of a series of studies on fracking conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) and the University of Pittsburg Graduate School of Public Health. Read more in our Spring edition of Philadelphia Medicine.

If you are interested in writing an article for Philadelphia Medicine, please contact us at stat@philamedsoc.org. We are accepting articles for both the newsletter and magazine.

Extreme heat can be dangerous for people and pets. It can also cause utility disruptions. Extreme heat is occurring more often due to the climate emergency. Help your patients learn how to prepare for extreme heat events, get heat safety tips and access resources in multiple languages at www.phila.gov/heat.

Also, did you know that Philly has a Heat Vulnerability Index (HVI) that can show which areas are hotter in the summer? You can search by address in the map to find resources to help your patients during extreme heat events. Learn more about why heat vulnerability is different across Philadelphia. You can visit the interactive map here.

Earlier this month, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) released an update on tuberculosis cases in Philadelphia. Tuberculosis cases have increased back to pre-pandemic levels following a sharp decline throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Tuberculosis remains a significant cause of death nationally, and Philadelphia experiences tuberculosis-related fatalities each year. Physicians should continue to stay vigilant in identifying tuberculosis cases. Pulmonary tuberculosis should be suspected in patients presenting symptoms such as a cough of at least 2 weeks. Children with pulmonary tuberculosis may lack classic tuberculosis symptoms.

You can read the full update here, and more information about Philadelphia’s Tuberculosis Control Program can be found here.

A global outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in wild birds and poultry has been ongoing since 2022. Recently, the virus has spilled over to other mammals and has caused outbreaks in dairy farms in 9 states. No cases have been detected in Pennsylvania thus far. Consider influenza testing in any persons with an influenza-like illness with or without a fever or conjunctivitis, particularly in persons with relevant exposures (e.g., dairy cows, raw milk, wild birds, poultry, agricultural fair attendance) or who may have recently traveled to a country of known H5N1 animal outbreaks. Visit the CDC’s clinical overview page for additional details.

Domenick D. Bucci, MD has become the 163^rd President of PCMS. Dr. Bucci is board-certified in internal medicine and is currently Vice President of Medical Management and Medical Policy for Independence Blue Cross (IBX). He was elected by his peers to serve as President of The Philadelphia County Medical Society from June 2024 – June 2025. Dr. Bucci has served on the Philadelphia County Medical Society Board of Directors and Executive Committee as past Treasurer and President Elect. Dr. Bucci is a member of several professional medical societies including the College of Physicians of Philadelphia and presently serves as Delegate to the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) House of Delegates and the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates. Congratulations Dr. Bucci! 

State Senator Lisa Baker recently introduced legislation to amend the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (MCARE) Act to create an interbranch commission to study the impact of venue determinations in medical liability actions that was changed back in 2022. For nearly 20 years prior to this change, such medical liability actions where restricted to the judicial districts where the injury occurred. An analysis conducted by Pennsylvania Coalition for Civil Justice Reform on the cause of actions reveals that in May alone 30 cases had cause of action (COA) arise in Philadelphia, 20 arose outside of Philadelphia, and 5 were undetermined. So far this year Philadelphia is averaging about 45 percent of the cases having COA arising OUTSIDE the city. The Philadelphia Common Pleas is on course for an average 50 med mal cases per month filed. 

In Pennsylvania, Medical Assistance (MA) enrolled providers have been permitted to provide certain physical health and behavioral health services virtually since 2007 and 2011. Locally, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) last year updated their standard telemedicine cost-sharing which will apply for all telemedicine visits with a member's primary care provider (PCP) and specialists regardless of a COVID-19 diagnosis. Standard telemedicine cost-sharing will also apply for all virtual visits with a behavioral health provider. IBC will no longer waive cost-sharing for a COVID-19 diagnosis and for CHIP, telemedicine visits for the purpose of COVID-19 testing/treatment will be covered with zero cost-share through September 30, 2024.​ Pennsylvania has pending legislation on telemedicine (SB739) and if passed will require all insurance providers or managed care organizations to reimburse health care providers for services provided through telemedicine.

You can view a FAQ on telemedicine from the PA Dept. of State here.

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) has created an e-newsletter to better prepare residents for public health emergencies, such as extreme weather, disease outbreaks, and other emergencies. You can view and sign up for the newsletter here. For more information on PDPH’s Public Health Preparedness Program, click here. For printed copies of the newsletter and questions, email PublicHealthPreparedness@phila.gov or leave a message at 215-429-3016.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health issued an alert on the first WNV-positive mosquito pools, identified in Adams, Bucks, Philadelphia and York counties, through routine seasonal monitoring by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection West Nile virus surveillance program. Risk of human WNV infection is likely to remain elevated over the next several months. Healthcare providers should have a heightened clinical suspicion for West Nile and other arboviral infections in patients with clinically compatible symptoms.

Click here to view the full health alert, which includes guidance on when to consider Arboviral testing.

The average annual growth in national health spending over the next decade is projected to be 5.6%, according to a report by the CMS Office of the Actuary. This would outpace the average GDP growth, resulting in an increase in the health spending share of GDP. Major findings can be found here.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert about potential disrupted access to care among individuals taking prescription stimulant medications and possible increased risks for injury and overdose. On June 13, 2024, the U.S. DOJ announced a federal health care fraud indictment against a large subscription-based telehealth company that provides attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatment to patients ages 18 years and older across the United States. Patients who rely on prescription stimulant medications to treat their ADHD and have been using this or other similar subscription-based telehealth platforms could experience a disruption to their treatment and disrupted access to care.

Health officials and healthcare providers may need to assist affected patients seeking treatment for ADHD and should communicate overdose risks associated with the current illegal drug market as well as provide overdose prevention education and mental health support.

You can read the full health alert here.

Inflammatory Brain Disorders Conference

Date: Saturday, June 22 to Sunday, June 23

Time: 11:00 AM - 7:30 PM (ET) each day

The Inflammatory Brain Disorders Conference is hosted by the Neuroimmune Institute in partnership with the Neuroimmune Foundation and features nationally and internationally renowned experts skilled in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches who will present a diverse range of emerging clinical and research challenges, insights, and advances in the field of inflammatory brain disorders. Presentations are carefully selected to familiarize attendees with rapidly developing research and to educate clinicians on the latest understanding of treatment options. The event focuses on both pediatric and adult patients. CME credit is available to all live attendees. 

Learn More and RSVP Here

Advertisement

The College of Physicians of Philadelphia is seeking an exceptional leader to serve as the President and CEO. The ideal candidate should have a doctoral degree in medicine or its equivalent, extensive familiarity with nonprofit organizations, dedication to the College's mission, and the ability to engage and foster relationships with various stakeholders. The President and CEO will be responsible for leading the College, enhancing external relationships and fundraising efforts, nurturing a high-performing team, fostering a sense of shared mission with the Board and Fellows, and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. The College includes the Mütter Museum and Historical Medical Library, which house collections of medical artifacts and provide educational resources. The College also has a Center for Education that offers STEM programs for high school students, and it is involved in public health initiatives, including the History of Vaccines project.

Please submit your CV and letter of interest to ceosearchcommittee@collegeofphysicians.org