Your home for health care advocacy updates straight from Colorado's Capitol Hill.

Policy Pulse newsletter: June 2, 2021

Updates on major initiatives: Two weeks left in the legislative session

OUR BILL: Timely credentialing  SB21-126 seeks to streamline the credentialing process for physicians, setting 60-day timelines and requiring communications between the plans and applicants throughout the process. Current status: Passed the Senate and the House and is awaiting the governor’s signature

Protections for public health officials HB21-1107 Protections for Public Health Workers and HB21-1115 Board of Health Member Requirements provide training for health board members and prohibit the sharing of public health workers’ personal information, respectively.  Current status: HB21-1107 was signed by the governor; HB21-1115 passed the legislature and is awaiting the governor’s signature

Scope of practice  HB21-1184 PA Collaboration and Reimbursement This bill would have allowed independent practice by physician assistants. Current status: Killed by House Health & Insurance Committee

Expanding the PDMP   HB21-1012 would include all prescription drugs in the PDMP. Current status: Passed the House and passed the Senate with amendments, awaiting the governor’s signature

Medical liability attacks  SB21-061 Claims for Economic Damages Claimed by Minors, SB21-073 Statute of Limitations Sexual Assault, and HB21-1188 Additional Liability Under Respondeat Superior all seek to increase the liability exposure physicians and employers may face.   Current status: SB21-061: killed; SB21-07: favorably amended and signed by the governor; HB21-1188: some amendments added signed by the governor

Telehealth for medical marijuana  HB21-1058 Promoting Social Distancing in the Marijuana Industry would allow physicians to recommend medical marijuana via telehealth. Current status: Killed by House Finance Committee

Colorado Option plan  HB21-1232 Standardized Health Benefit Plan Colorado Option The Colorado Medical Society has been working tirelessly to represent members' interests on this bill that aims to lower prices on the individual health insurance market. Current status: Passed the House and the Senate with a CMS-backed amendment removing mandatory physician participation; it now goes back to the House for approval

Ways to get involved

Interested in being involved? Here are some options to consider.

Check out the Colorado Medical Society Bill Tracker Explore health care related bills under consideration and positions voted on by the Council on Legislation.

Why should I donate to COMPAC?

Your contributions to COMPAC and the Small Donor Committee support pro-physician candidates. Donate today!

Special thanks to the CMS Partners In Medicine

Upcoming CMS Meetings

All Colorado Medical Society committee meetings are open to all CMS members. Find the latest list of events on the CMS events webpage, cms.org/events. Upcoming meetings are listed below. Email membership@cms.org for more information. Committee on Value in Health Care - Tuesday, June 22, 6-7:30 p.m. Register Physician Mindfulness Group Meeting - Thursday, June 24, 6-7 p.m. Register Workers' Compensation and Personal Injury Committee - Wednesday, July 7, 7:30-8:30 a.m. Register *Save the date* - Colorado Medical Society Virtual Annual Meeting - Sept. 17-18 Registration is required; non-members or those unable to be identified at the time of the meeting will be removed from the meeting. Unsure if you are a CMS member? Email membership@cms.org.

Visit our website, CMS.org

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