PCMS president attends AMA National Advocacy Conference in Washington, DC
PCMS President Henrique Fernandez, MD, joined physician leaders and medical society staff from around the state at the 2017 American Medical Association National Advocacy Conference in Washington, DC, Feb. 27-March 3. The trip included “hill visits” with members of our Colorado Congressional delegation, and the primary topic for these visits was federal health care reform.

The many meetings with Congressional leaders and their staff demonstrated how fluid the political situation was at the time, before the proposed “repeal and replace” plan failed to be taken up for a vote. During these visits Colorado physician leaders emphasized the need to protect recent gains in coverage and corresponding benefits to improved patient access to care. Specifically, physicians asked that a repeal of the Affordable Care Act occur only with a clearly identified and carefully considered replacement plan.

Importantly, the group of physicians emphasized the need to fix major issues within the current system, including the need for regulatory relief and leveling the playing field between mega-health plans and physicians as replacement plans are considered. 

Besides federal health care reform, these congressional visits offered the chance to discuss other important topics like Colorado’s opioid abuse crisis, reducing prior authorization burdens, increasing drug pricing transparency and detailing how immigration issues affect physician workforce supply.

Thank you Dr. Fernandez, PCMS president, for taking time out of your busy schedule to participate in the conference on behalf of PCMS members!  

News from COPIC

Do you know a physician who goes above and beyond the call of duty?

Consider nominating him or her for the COPIC Humanitarian Award in Honor of Harold E. Williamson. This annual award honors Colorado physicians for their volunteer medical services and contributions to the community outside of their day-to-day lives.

The award also comes with a $10,000 grant from the COPIC Medical Foundation to a 501(c)(3) organization of the recipient's choosing (on his or her behalf) to fund ongoing efforts to deliver and/or improve health care. Nominations for the COPIC Humanitarian Award are accepted from May 1-Aug. 31. Visit COPIC Medical Foundation for more information.

News from the American Medical Association

Survey: Despite Challenging Health Care Landscape, America’s Physicians Overwhelmingly Satisfied with Career Choice

A new survey by the AMA explores the experiences, perceptions and challenges facing physicians in the rapidly changing health care environment. More than 1,200 physicians, residents, and medical students were surveyed about when they knew they would become physicians, who encouraged them down that path, what challenges they face professionally, and whether they are satisfied with their career choice.

According to the survey, nine in 10 physicians are satisfied with their career choice, despite challenges common to each career stage. Three quarters of medical students, residents, and physicians said that helping people is a top motivator for pursuing their career and 61 percent of all respondents said they would encourage others to enter the field of medicine. Personal experiences as a patient, volunteer, and with family members played a role – across career stages – in realizing one’s calling to practice medicine. Additionally, 73 percent of respondents knew before they reached the age of 20 that they wanted to be physicians, and nearly a third knew before becoming a teenager.

AMA Applauds Trump Administration’s Creation of Opioids Commission

The AMA announced on March 30 that it looks forward to working with the Trump administration’s new commission to create policies intended to end the opioid epidemic sweeping the country. “The AMA has been a leader in developing a comprehensive response to the opioid epidemic, and we are excited to share the expertise of the nation’s physicians on this topic. Our Task Force to Reduce Opioid Abuse has issued recommendations and worked to raise awareness within the physician community,” said AMA Board Chair Patrice A. Harris, MD.

“We are poised to offer guidance in areas of effective public health approaches, best practices, clinical tools, medication-assisted treatment, and barriers to effective treatment. We want to emphasize the need to treat substance use disorder as a medical illness and eliminate the stigma associated with seeking treatment for pain and substance abuse.” 

The AMA has a new education module that offers clinicians a review of the basic approaches and actions to reduce opioid-related harm in patients with acute or chronic pain. To learn more about the AMA’s efforts to end the epidemic of opioid overdose deaths, visit AMA Wire.

UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

RSVP for a FREE CME/CNE educational dinner on May 9
Raising the Bar to Provide Patient-Centered IBD Care: Reducing Diagnostic Delays and Managing Comorbidities

Q Synthesis, an education company, is hosting a complimentary continuing education (CME and CNE) event in Pueblo the evening of Tuesday, May 9. All PCMS-member physicians are invited, plus nurses, advanced practice providers, and other health care professionals. 

Title: Raising the Bar to Provide Patient-Centered Care for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease 
Date: Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Time: 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Brues Alehouse, 120 Riverwalk Place, Pueblo, CO 81003
RSVP: http://www.qsynthesis.com/pueblo 

Many patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often experience delays in diagnosis and fragmented care in the community. This program explores ways that providers can provide more timely, coordinated, and patient-centered care for patients with IBD who often have multiple comorbidities. The discussion will primarily benefit those working in primary care or hospital settings. Continuing medical and nursing education credits will be provided by the American Academy of CME Inc. (accredited by the ACCME: Accreditation with Commendation and by the ANCC: Accreditation with Distinction).

OTHER EVENTS

Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast series
Final program in the series: Saturday morning at the Pueblo Convention Center, 8 - 9:30 a.m., April 22, sponsored by Parkview Medical Center; reservations are required - tickets are $20 for Pueblo Chamber members and $25 for non-members. RSVP by emailing mariellenm@pueblochamber.net. This event is designed for citizens of Pueblo County to hear firsthand how legislation will affect your business and quality of life.

CMS Leadership Skills Series
The topic of the next program in CMS’s Physician Leadership Skills Series is "Multi-generational workplace." It will be held in Denver April 22, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Earn up to 3.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Find more information about this dynamic series at www.cms.org/events/leadership-skills and make plans to attend.

2017 COPIC Mock Trial Programs
Join COPIC’s legal team, claims consultants, and professional defense attorneys for one of its most popular education programs. The Mock Trial dissects a medical liability trial as YOU (the jury) weigh the evidence, listen to testimony, and ultimately render a verdict.   
 
Dates and locations:

• Denver (COPIC) – Tuesday, May 23
  
• Colorado Springs – Wednesday, June 7
  
• Glenwood Springs – Wednesday, Sept. 13
  
• Boulder – Tuesday, Oct. 10

Each program is an evening affair lasting from 6-9 p.m. with dinner included. COPIC-insured physicians will receive 2 COPIC points and 3 CME credits for attending. To register, please go to www.callcopic.com/education, look for “Mock Trials” under the listing of in-person seminars, and select a program date.

Support Posada at their signature fundraising event on May 6