Dear colleague:
Your voices were heard! Hundreds of physicians like you urged legislators over the last week to remove the mandate for physician participation from the proposed Colorado Option Bill, HB 21-1232. Today, the Board of Directors voted to support an amendment to that bill to eliminate the physician mandate by removing all enforcement, fines and reporting. The board agreed to a neutral position on the bill, contingent upon approval of the amendment in the Senate.
As a result, the gathering of physicians at the Capitol on Monday morning has been cancelled. This has been (and continues to be) a highly fluid situation and we appreciate your willingness throughout this process to take time out of your schedules to call, write and appear in person. Your efforts made this amendment possible.
The board also heard updates on several other priority physician bills which CMS staff have been lobbying on your behalf:
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Passed: HB21-1115 Board of Health Member Requirements will ensure county boards of health get training to help promote quality public health policymaking;
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Passed the House, Passed Senate Health Committee: SB21-126 Timely Credentialing of Physicians will streamline and speed up the credentialing process by setting uniform dates and policies;
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Defeated: HB21-1184 Physician Assistant Collaboration and Reimbursement would have enabled independent practice by physician assistants;
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Defeated: SB21-61 Claims for Economic Damages Incurred By Minors would have overturned an existing rule, destabilized the liability climate, and made it harder for both a physician to defend a claim and a child to prove a claim.
In other business, I authorized the creation of two separate task forces to address the needs of employed physicians, and independent practice physicians. These task forces will be critical to help ensure that we are connected with you and your unique practice type. They will do the work to create CMS sections; sections are special interest groups with voting privileges on the CMS Board of Directors. If you are interested in participating in either of these task forces, please email membership@cms.org.
CMS Treasurer Patrick Pevoto, MD, shared the financial report showing that CMS has remained financially strong throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
CMS CEO Bryan Campbell, in his report, gave an overview of the work of the staff -- particularly those whose work is largely in the background. He also shared that Tom Wilson, CMS manager of accounting, is moving out of state and leaving CMS. Board members extended their thanks to Tom and all CMS staff for their hard work on our behalf.
Other business:
- The board considered two recommendations from the CMS Physician Wellbeing Committee; after discussion, the committee will refine the recommendations and report back in July.
- Senior Director of Membership Krystle Medford gave a report on CMS's work on our diversity, equity and inclusion strategic plan. The Board will hear more at the July meeting following a workshop in June.
- Board members gave reports from their districts, reflecting the depth and breadth of work happening around the state on behalf of Colorado physicians and patients.
- And finally, we recognized Brandi Ring, MD, and Monica Patten for their service as they leave the CMS Board of Directors.
Thank you to all for your continued membership and engagement. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me at president@cms.org or our Membership team at membership@cms.org with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
