A Message from Dr. Ron Oberstein
Welcome to the first edition of the Life West Leadership Line! This is your resource to keep you up to date with the latest insights as we move through the COVID-19 challenges.
The past three weeks have been a busy time at Life West. We look forward to starting our spring quarter this coming Monday. The college will be teaching our courses from an online platform and have set up processes within our Health Center to keep our doctors, interns, and patients safe. As we move forward, we will also embody our commitment to chiropractic’s Lasting Purpose, by finding new ways to Give, Do, Love, and Serve out of our own abundance. We know our alumni and friends may be going through difficulties right now, which makes the Lasting Purpose mantra all the more fitting as we move forward.
There is an abundance of information being disseminated during this unprecedented period which can make it challenging to know where to look for what is relevant to our community. Life West is here to help by getting answers to the top questions on the minds of chiropractors to support your practice through this time.
The more informed we are, the easier it will be to band together and thrive. Together we will continue to strengthen our profession.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ron Oberstein
President, Life Chiropractic College West
CHIROPRACTORS DEEMED “ESSENTIAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS”
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security identified chiropractors as members of America’s “essential critical infrastructure workforce” in a memo released on Saturday, March 28. The memo, which can be read online, “identifies workers who conduct a range of operations and services that are typically essential to continued critical infrastructure viability.”
Like many of you, we are pleased that federal and state governments recognize the vital role chiropractors play in providing care to our patients. We are looking into our hearts to explore how to make a positive impact, and we commend the Department of Homeland Security for allowing us an opportunity to continue to serve through Chiropractic.
These unprecedented times bring with them many tough decisions, ones that many of you may be wrestling with as we attempt to navigate through the current societal situation. In times of crisis, it is important that we find ways to come together and communicate positively about the choices we make and the ways we are contributing to our communities. Constructive dialogue is vital as we look to move our profession forward.
COVID-19 resources for you and your office
- The Small Business Administration has been directed to fund new loans that will be partially or fully forgivable if proceeds are spent on qualifying expenses.
- You’ll want to study the many different kinds of loans that are available, and once you’ve made a decision, you can apply without using a third-party institution.
- These loans are available until June 30, 2020. These are either already available at your local bank or will be made available after the SBA provides guidance to banks participating in the program.
- It’s always good to contact your attorney and accountant for guidance on how to make the best choice for your business.
HELPFUL LINKS
On Wednesday, March 18, President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”), which amends the Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) to include “the Emergency Medical Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act” to provide paid leave under FMLA for a parent required to care for a child as a result of the coronavirus (also referred to as “COVID-19”) emergency. The FFCRA also contains the newly created “Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act” which offers paid sick leave for absences resulting from the COVID-19 emergency.
If your business has a shortage of workers and is looking for “volunteers” to help out, be aware that the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) has stringent requirements with respect to the use of volunteers. In general, covered, nonexempt workers working for private, for-profit employers have to be paid at least the minimum wage and cannot volunteer their services. Check with DOL for the rules governing the circumstances where volunteering in the public and private, non-profit sectors may be allowed.
If you or your employees are out with the flu or are caring for ill family members, check with the Department of Labor (DOL) for information on whether such leave is covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Under the FMLA, covered employers must provide employees job-protected, unpaid leave for specified family and medical reasons, which may include the flu where complications arise. Employees on FMLA leave are entitled to the continuation of group health insurance coverage under the same terms as existed before they took FMLA leave.
LIFE WEST WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU!
It’s important to know that we are here to help you. You can reach out to us with any questions you may have or topics you’d like us to address by filling out this survey. Any correspondence you send will be confidential, and we will do our best to address the topics that matter to you most in our blogs to follow.
This is a difficult time for many people. Like any storm, though, this too shall pass. As we mentioned earlier, banding together and supporting one another is of the utmost importance.
With that in mind, we’d like to share an interview that Dr. Oberstein did earlier this week with Dr. Nimrod Mueller who resides in Barcelona, Spain. It speaks to how we can work together to create a brighter future for humanity, and we hope you enjoy it.
Let us know what topics matter to you most by filling out this survey. We will make sure we are providing you with the latest information as it comes out that is relevant to your practice.
