FDA will limit approval for seasonal COVID vaccines
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will no longer approve annual COVID-19 vaccines for healthy younger adults and children unless drugmakers do lengthy new studies. It's a stark break from the previous federal policy recommending an annual COVID shot for all Americans six months and older. It also raises questions about whether some people who want a vaccine this fall will be able to get one. Read more.
RFK Jr. ends CDC recommendation for COVID vaccine in healthy kids, pregnant women
On May 27th, the CDC dropped its recommendation that healthy children and pregnant women get routine COVID-19 shots, health regulators announced. In a video posted to X, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared alongside NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD, MPH, announcing that the recommendations had changed. Read more.
First blood test for Alzheimer’s diagnosis cleared by FDA
In a May 16th press release, the agency announced its approval of the first in-vitro diagnostic device, Lumipulse. The method is intended for early Alzheimer’s detection in adult patients over the age of 55 who are exhibiting signs and symptoms of the disease. Read more.
How the Trump administration aims to slash health care spending
Cuts to Universities: The Trump administration also tried to deal a harrowing blow, currently blocked by the courts, to scientific research at universities by slashing extra money that accompanies research grants for “indirect costs,” like libraries, lab animal care, support staff, and computer systems. Read more.
House passes reconciliation bill with massive Medicaid cuts
The House passed Republicans’ “big, beautiful bill” on May 22nd in a razor-thin 215-214 vote, sending the legislation, which includes the most drastic overhaul to Medicaid since the program was founded, to the Senate for review. Benefits from the legislation would flow to the top 10th of American households, while cutting resources for the lowest-earning citizens, according to the Congressional Budget Office. It also includes a number of healthcare provisions. Notably, it cuts roughly $700 billion from Medicaid over a decade, largely through creating reporting mandates requiring beneficiaries in the safety-net insurance program to log work, education or volunteering hours with their state. The bill now moves to the Senate, where it is expected to face further scrutiny and potential revisions before any final approval. Read more.
HCMA Physician Referral Service
As a participating member, you will be given priority when members of the public contact the HCMA office seeking referrals to physicians in your specialty. To be included on the referral service roster, a $40 fee is required. The annual fee aligns with the calendar year and will be due for renewal each January 1. This fee will be included on your HCMA annual dues notice, which is sent out starting in September with a due date of January 1st. Sign up here or contact Elke Lubin at the HCMA for more information.
It's not too late to advertise in the HCMA's 2025 Membership Directory
For the eleventh year, the HCMA is partnering with E&M Consulting, Inc. to produce our Annual Membership Directory. The publication will be available in the Summer of 2025 in both print and digital formats. E&M will be managing the advertising sales and layout/graphic design. The highly professional company produces a high-quality publication. E&M will be contacting all members about the advertising opportunities available and we ask that you review their offerings. The publication will be mailed to every member – a great opportunity to promote and give your practice additional exposure. To view the ad rates/options and sign-up online, please CLICK HERE. If you have any questions or want to advertise, please contact an E&M sales associate at 800-572-0011 ext. 0104 or email the ad team at: advertising@eandmsales.com. As always, your support is greatly appreciated!
Rental properties needed for incoming residents/fellows...
With Match Day now completed, the HCMA Physician Family Alliance is gearing up to assist new trainees relocating to the Tampa area. As part of this effort, they are compiling a list of rental options to share with residency and fellowship program directors in Tampa. If you have a rental property available for lease starting in May, June, or July, you are invited to complete THIS FORM. Your property details will be included in the list, and potential tenants will reach out to you directly based on the contact information you provide. This is a courtesy service, and there are no fees involved. Please note that potential tenants are not prescreened; this is simply a connection opportunity. The HCMA Physician Family Alliance is committed to supporting physician families in the Tampa Bay Area and looks forward to continuing to do so. If you have any questions or are interested in joining the HCMA PFA, please visit their website or call Lauren Swoboda, Co-President, at 863-398-1783.
Help us help you!
Your feedback is appreciated - please CLICK HERE to answer 6 questions that will help the HCMA better serve you.
Member testimonials
We are currently gathering testimonials from members to share the stories of why they have chosen to join the Association. Please take the time to share a few thoughts on your personal experience:
- What inspired you to join the HCMA?
- What has your experience been like so far?
- How do you feel about the community or mission of the organization?
- What do you like best about the HCMA?
Feel free to answer any or all of these questions. We’d be grateful for your perspective and appreciate your time! Thank you for your consideration.
Member Announcement Service
Moving, new partner, new website, retirement announcement? The HCMA will create a professional dedicated announcement to members of the Association. Send us your text, logo, and photos, and we will do the rest. This service is for members only and is $125 per emailed announcement. Contact Elke Lubin for details.
EMR & AI in Healthcare...A Survey
What are your thoughts about AI in healthcare? How do you think your current EMR system is doing? Please click here to take the 4-minute survey and share your thoughts. Participation is open to anyone in healthcare and is anonymous. Feel free to share this survey. If you have any questions about this survey, please contact Meredith Clements, PhD, Associate Professor, The University of Tampa.
Mayor says Moffitt Cancer Center still has a home in St. Petersburg
While Mayor Ken Welch passed on Moffitt’s offer for the downtown site in 2022, he says the cancer institute could still find a home in the city. In a report by the St. Pete Catalyst, Welch says he has remained in contact with Moffitt leadership about building on other locations “that made sense in the city.”. Read more.
A groundbreaking face transplant restores a man's identity
Listen to the episode, which discusses a groundbreaking transplant that helped restore a Wyoming man's identity after he suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the face. Read more.
