APMA Resources And Advocacy For All Podiatrists In Light Of COVID-19

I know all of us are experiencing great challenges in our personal and professional lives during this unprecedented public health crisis. Please know that the APMA leadership and staff are here for you, working diligently to provide timely and informative resources. It is my privilege to share some of the work we have accomplished so far in response to the COVID-19 epidemic.

One month ago, the APMA board made the difficult decision to cancel the House of Delegates, our national leadership conference. We reached this decision before other organizations followed suit because we recognized the imminent danger and felt the need to protect the health and safety of our members and ourselves. After cancelling the HOD, our association immediately pivoted to a new mission: establishing a bedrock of information and support for APMA members that is now curated at www.apma.org/covid19.

In the first two weeks following the cancelled House of Delegates, APMA produced a webinar on telehealth and advocated with the Federation of Podiatric Medical Boards to postpone/waive licensing requirements in consideration of canceled continuing education events. Our legislative team kept in constant contact with House and Senate committees of jurisdiction and leadership to advocate for physicians in legislative relief packages. We also advocated for coverage of up to 90 percent of salary support and for incentives to rehire providers laid off as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We closely monitored and reported on the emergency relief programs rolled out by the federal government including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law on March 27, and the US Small Business Administration Section 7(a)/Community Advantage loan programs that were rolled out on March 31. Only a week later, we presented a webinar titled SBA Loans, Paycheck Protection, and Other Resources for Your Practice summarizing these programs. You can find a recording of the webinar and other relevant financial resources at www.apma.org/covid19sba. This dedicated webpage contains something of value for every practicing podiatrist.

In between these efforts, the APMA board developed and published a position statement advocating for temporarily relaxing scope-of-practice restrictions. Published on March 27, this statement provides support and guidance for member associations to advocate with state legislators and governors for legislative support when a volunteer podiatrist serves their medical community outside the current state scope of practice. Such service is limited to the extent of their training, education, and experience. In follow-up to this goal, APMA sent a letter to the National Governors Association, which was co-signed by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS), American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM), American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), and American College of Podiatric Medicine (ACPM). We encourage state associations to actively seek this legal protection from their governor’s office on behalf of their members. 

Our staff has left no detail to chance. You can even find a printable COVID-19 office door sign on our website.1

Currently, APMA is working with the American Society of Podiatric Executives (ASPE) on strategies to directly reduce the financial burdens placed on our members by the pandemic. We must carefully craft this effort. While the COVID-19 pandemic will eventually pass, it is imperative to continue to maintain a strong and financially viable national association to advocate, educate, and lead our profession into the future. There are many challenges that await us on the far side of this national emergency. These include our temporarily suspended student recruitment initiative (designed to ensure our profession thrives), advocating with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and commercial payors to ensure equal pay for equal work, and so much more.

I have one year to carry the mantle of president of the American Podiatric Medical Association. I promise to do my part, but I also need your enthusiastic support and APMA membership. Some day soon, I hope to meet you at one of your regional meetings. Until then, be safe and keep in touch with APMA. We are here for you.

Dr. Rubenstein is the President-Elect of the American Podiatric Medical Association. He is board-certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and is in practice with Foot and Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic in Reston, VA.

Reference

1. American Podiatric Medical Association. Coronavirus door sign. Available at: https://www.apma.org/files/images/COVID%2D19%20Door%20Sign.pdf . Accessed April 2, 2020.