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ASAP e-newsletter: Feb. 19, 2020
Results of CMS member survey on the proposed public option
One of the most talked-about bills this legislative session is one that hasn’t even formally been introduced. Gov. Jared Polis has made the creation of a public option bill a top priority, and CMS has been active in providing feedback throughout the process. Over the past few weeks, we asked our CMS members to give us your thoughts on some of the tenets of the proposed legislation. The results were presented to the CMS Board of Directors last week and are presented here for your review. Thank you to all of the physicians who took time to participate in this survey. Your insight will help us to better serve you and your patients.
Sponsors
Doctors are invited to share stories for the Lift The Label campaign
Lift The Label, Colorado's opioid anti-stigma campaign, is asking medical professionals to share their stories about recovery from opioid addiction, whether your own or that of a patient or loved one. We know that one way to address stigma is to hear from people who look and sound like you. By sharing your story with other doctors, you will help reinforce the idea that people want to recover and do recover, a message that the medical community, law enforcement, friends and family members need to hear. In addition, your story will be used to reach people struggling with addiction who may be wondering how they will be treated if they ask their doctor for help. Read more here.
Sponsors
Zenith Home Loans is Colorado based and Colorado focused. With a loan program specifically designed for doctors, Zenith understands that financing can have its challenges and we are here to serve you. Visit zenithhomeloans.com, call 303-968-4148 or email  Peteg@zenithhl.com
Low Carb Denver 2020 Medical Conference, March 12-15, now in its 5th year. Everyone’s invited. CME approved for 20.50 hours by the AAFP. Please join us! https://lowcarbconferences.com
Rural Physicians Group is offering four local, affordable, hands-on CME courses in 2020. Medical professionals are invited to attend and sharpen their procedural skills.
Early wins in the legislative session
Though still early in the legislative session, the Colorado Medical Society has already seen wins in our advocacy efforts. The following four bills that your Council on Legislation evaluated and voted to oppose have been postponed indefinitely.

  1. SB20-075 Competency Evaluations By Advanced Practice Nurses - This bill would have expanded the scope of practice of APNs to allow them to evaluate a defendant's competency to stand trial.
  2. SB20-084 Prohibit Requiring Employee Immunization - This bill could have increased the number of unvaccinated adults.
  3. HB20-1063 Fundamental Family Rights In Colorado - This bill could have increased the number of unvaccinated children.
  4. HB20-1144 Parent's Bill Of Rights - As above, this bill also could have increased the number of unvaccinated children.

Stay in tune with health care public policy with the CMS Bill Tracker, which lists all health care-related legislation by the General Assembly and CMS's position on these bills as determined by the CMS Council on Legislation. Access the Bill Tracker here.
Support Colorado's pro-physician candidates today!
We need your help to make physician voices heard at the Colorado Capitol. Visit  cms.org/contribute to support pro-physician, pro-patient lawmakers across Colorado! In 2018, COMPAC, the bipartisan political arm of CMS, endorsed 80 candidates, and COMPAC and the Small Donor Committee (SDC) contributed just under $130,000 to candidates who stand for physicians and their patients. These candidates went on to make incredible gains on behalf of organized medicine, thanks to your generous support. SDC gives money only to those who vote 100 percent with physicians on issues of liability. Make your voice heard. Contribute today!

Any individual over 18 can donate to COMPAC and the Small Donor Committee. Contribute up to $625 to COMPAC for the 2019-2020 election cycle. Contribute up to $50 to the Small Donor Committee for the 2019 calendar year. 
Sponsors
We are the nation's leading provider of commercial real estate services for healthcare tenants and buyers. Our team of experts can save you time and money on your next lease or purchase negotiation. www.carrhr.com 
Support employees! MINES' Practice Assistance Program offers CMS members 24/7 access to confidential counseling, resilience resources, legal services, wellness coaching, and unlimited work/life referrals. Phone: 800.873.7138, email: info@minesandassociates.com or visit www.minesandassociates.com
Transcription Outsourcing, LLC is the leading U.S. provider of medical transcription services. We provide physicians with the ability to be more productive and more profitable. To learn more, call 720-287-3710, visit www.transcriptionoutsourcing.net or email bwalker@transcriptionoutsourcing.net.
Join us for the 2020 Coalition for Physician Well-Being annual national conference! July 13-15, 2020 at the Four Seasons Hotel Denver! www.forphysicianwellbeing.org
COPIC promotes members of its management team to senior vice presidents
COPIC has announced that five members of the company’s management team were recently promoted to senior vice president positions, part of COPIC adjusting its organizational structure to better meet the needs of insureds as well as to address market expansion and manage growing business operations. Read more here.
Get involved in the Colorado Medical Society!
Use our volunteer form to indicate your areas of interest
Make a difference in medicine in your state! Get involved with the Colorado Medical Society. There are many reasons to do so: to help others, do something important for the profession that is important to you, build your professional portfolio, gain new perspectives, explore your strengths and forge a support network among colleagues, to name a few. CMS has a number of ways for you to get involved; some take only a few hours while others require a larger time commitment. It’s less important which you choose and more important that you get involved in one way or another. Find something that fits your schedule and let’s make great things happen. Indicate your willingness to serve by completing the form here and a CMS staff person will follow up with you with next steps.
Sponsors
CORHIO seeks primary care practices for Facilitating Alcohol Screening and Treatment program
CORHIO is looking for primary care practices to participate in a program that will help screen patients for unhealthy alcohol use. This six-month facilitated quality improvement program has been funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Practices will receive training for staff and providers, evidence-based interventions, the support of a practice facilitator, access to experts in medical and behavioral treatments for alcohol use disorder, peer-to-peer support, and $1,000 in compensation for practice time spent in completing requirements of the program. To learn more and enroll, go to the FAST program website for Colorado. You can select CORHIO as your preferred practice transformation organization after completing the contact information on the enrollment form.
Sponsors
Meet the nominees for 2020 CMS leadership positions and provide comments
Now that the nomination period for the 2020 Colorado Medical Society election has closed, we are excited to share with all CMS members the nominees being vetted to run for CMS president-elect and the AMA delegation. All members are encouraged to read the submitted materials for your nominees: Mark Johnson, MD, MPH, running for CMS president-elect; and Katie Lozano, MD, and Lee Morgan, MD, running for the AMA delegation. Access the nominees' candidate packets here. Per the election manual, the CMS Nominating Committee will meet to vet and approve all nominees and present the report for approval to the CMS Board of Directors at the March board meeting. All CMS members are encouraged to help the Nominating Committee by providing input for consideration by the committee to help inform their recommendations to the board. Email comments to dean_holzkamp@cms.org by March 10, 2020. 
Save the date! CMS's 150th Annual Meeting will be held Sept. 26, 2020
Save the date for the event of the year for Colorado physicians, the 150th CMS Annual Meeting. It will be held Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, with programming scheduled during the day at CMS/COPIC headquarters in east Denver and the exhibitor reception and inaugural gala that evening at the Wings Over the Rockies Museum in the historic Lowry neighborhood.
Sponsors
Serving medical professionals is all we do. Owned and operated by the Colorado Medical Society and backed by an all-physician board of directors, MTC is uniquely focused on the needs of its clients. MTC Benefits include: Secure Messaging, Voice Logger/Voicemail, Appointment Confirmations/ Reminders, Personalized Announcements, Custom Applications, and competitive rates! 

CMS Members: Contact MTC today for your FREE two-month trial and monthly discount. (866) 345-0251 or (303) 761-6594, info@medteleco.com. Visit www.medteleco.com
Sunflower Bank has a specialized team and a suite of banking solutions dedicated to meeting the needs of medical professionals and your practices.
Contact Dave Dyer | VP, Business Banking | 303-620-7174 | Dave.Dyer@SunflowerBank.com
Guardian Mortgage provides up to 100% financing* option available on primary residency, and "Follow the Client" option with documented evidence of a "full banking relationship" with Sunflower Bank or First National 1870*. Contact Fred Smith, Mortgage Loan Originator | 303-489-5782 | fredsmith@gmc-inc.com
Compliments of CMS: Reduce patient callbacks, HIPAA compliant, RX Savings up to 75%, click for free customization COLORADO DRUG CARD.
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