Advocacy Booklet - Special report from the 2019 Colorado General Assembly

95

BILLS TRACKED Colorado Medical Society took positions on 51 bills out of 654 filed

30 PHYSICIANS TESTIFIED IN 20 HEARINGS

Including the Medical Practice Act Sunset (SB193) Professional Review Act Sunset (SB234) Prior Authorization Reform (HB1211) Substance Use Disorder Treatment (HB1287)

1,010

PHYSICIANS VOTED THROUGH CENTRAL LINE ON POLICY PROPOSALS Including policies on firearm safety, Maintenance of Certification, and youth vaping

X 49 49 PHYSICIANS ARE VOTING MEMBERS ON CMS COUNCIL ON LEGISLATION (COL) Representing 28 component societies and specialties

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“As I reflect on the 2019 session of the Colorado General Assembly, I deeply appreciate that it is critically important for medicine’s unified voice to be heard on those laws that affect day-to-day medical practice, improve patient care, support rewarding medical careers and improve the overall health of our communities.”

Deb Parsons, MD, FACP CMS President

“Physicians testifying provides insight to legislators. Our role is to cultivate relationships and condense the passion of our physician membership into one three-minute time span. The physician presence has been before the legislature this session to protect physician authority, support public health, and achieve out-of-network reform and peer review reenactment.”

Lynn Parry, MD CMS Past President and Council on Legislation member

F R I E N D S

O F

M E D I C I N E

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

B I LL

H I G H LI G HT S

FOUGHT FOR PATIENT SAFETY Protected confidentiality of the peer review process and the medical liability climate in Colorado (SB234) FOUGHT FOR YOUR TIME Reduced administrative burdens by streamlining and standardizing prior authorization (HB1211)

SENATOR RHONDA FIELDS (ARAPAHOE)

SENATOR JACK TATE (ARAPAHOE)

For her work on outof-network reform

For his work on outof-network reform

FOUGHT FOR YOUR LICENSE Reinstated the Medical Practice Act (SB193) FOUGHT FOR YOUR PATIENTS Established process for voluntary, nondiscoverable conversations to understand adverse incidents and provide closure for the patient and family (SB201)

SENATE PRESIDENT LEROY GARCIA (PUEBLO)

For his leadership and work on the Professional Review Act sunset

REPRESENTATIVE DAFNA MICHAELSON JENET (ADAMS)

For her work on prior authorization

FOUGHT FOR PATIENT ACCESS Created database for available substance use disorder treatment programs across the state (HB1287) FOUGHT AGAINST DANGEROUS SCOPE EXPANSIONS Worked closely with podiatrists, physician assistants, and physical therapists to find solutions for patients and providers (SB153, HB1095 and HB1208)

SENATOR ANGELA WILLIAMS (DENVER)

SENATOR JOHN COOKE (WELD)

For her work on prior authorization

For his support throughout the session

FOUGHT FOR YOUR BUSINESS Met with the Commissioner of Insurance to fund a reinsurance program without reducing physician reimbursement (HB1168)

WAYS

TO

B E

I N VO LV E D

JOIN

TESTIFY

DONATE

BECOME A MEMBER Encourage your colleagues to join the Colorado Medical Society, the most powerful unifying voice of medicine in Colorado.

Professional testimony is a powerful tool in the legislature.

We can only win legislative battles with the financial support of COMPAC by Colorado physicians such as yourself.

cms.org/join

Contact us for opportunities!

cms.org/contribute

CENTRAL LINE

COUNCIL ON LEGISLATION (COL)

INITIATE CHANGE All members can vote on and submit policy proposals directly to the CMS Board of Directors.

CMS’ Council on Legislation determines our position on legislation. They direct our advocacy efforts and resources to the issues they deem crucial.

Get involved at cms.org/central-line or watch your email for vote alerts

Interested in getting involved and having a voice on COL? Talk to your specialty or component society or email emily_bishop@cms.org

COUNCILS & COMMITTEES Seats are available on various councils, committees and workgroups. Effect change in medicine through collaboration with your peers on topics that are important to you.

View these groups at cms.org/about/councils-and-committees and email president@cms.org to volunteer

MEMBERSHIP IS YOUR VOICE