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Two proposed ballot initiatives from the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association are advancing through the legal process and your urgent support is needed to stop them. These ballot initiatives aim to remove peer review protections, which would significantly decrease quality of care and medical protections, and eliminate caps on non-economic damages, skyrocketing our state's liability and medical malpractice insurance costs.

What you can do:

• Get informed and become an advocate: Invite a CMS representative to present to your practice, group or hospital. Email kate_alfano@cms.org to schedule.
• Donate online, by check made to Colorado Medical Society with Liability Defense Fund in the memo section and mailed to 7351 E. Lowry Blvd, Ste. 110, Denver, CO 80230, or by phone at 720-859-1001. A donation of any amount will help make a strong public statement from the medical community, and you will be added to our priority communications list for the latest updates as our counter efforts progress.
• Spread the word to your family, friends and community groups: Initiatives #149 and #150 are bad for Colorado patients, physicians, families and businesses. Read this fact sheet for 5 reasons to oppose the CTLA-supported ballot measures.

Stay tuned to CMS publications as more information is available.

Change Healthcare cyber issue: CMS advocacy for you and resources from the AMA

As you know, Change Healthcare began experiencing a cyber security issue in late February and isolated its systems to prevent further impact. UnitedHealth Group estimates that it will up to a month or more to fully restore its medical claims processing -- a delay that has left many organizations in financial distress. Your state and national medical societies have been actively advocating for affected physicians.

• Colorado Medical Society President Omar Mubarak, MD, MBA, urged the Colorado Commissioner of Insurance to demand prompt payment of claims by carriers to physicians, and that the carriers accurately and completely report all payment delays. Read his letter here.

• The American Medical Association has been in active discussions with the Biden Administration, UnitedHealth Group and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, among others. They launched a dedicated webpage for the latest updates and invite AMA members to submit information about their experiences to ama.advocacy@ama-assn.org for use in discussions with federal agencies and organizations.

Medical students - Apply for CMS scholarships: deadline April 5

Time is running out to apply for two medical student scholarships from the Colorado Medical Society Education Foundation.

The Alfred D. Gilchrist Student Leader Scholarship is open to third- and fourth-year Colorado medical students who have demonstrated a significant leadership contribution to organized medicine. Deadline: April 5, 2024. Read more here.

The Rural Track Scholarship is open to Colorado medical students finishing their first year of a rural medicine track or program. Deadline: April 5, 2024. Read more here.

Questions? Contact kate_alfano@cms.org.

CMS webinar - Grief: What it is and how to cope moving forward

Tuesday, April 30, 6-7 p.m.

The Colorado Medical Society is committed to helping physicians when you need help. Part of our goal to increase wellbeing, the CMS Committee on Physician Wellbeing will host the first in a wellbeing webinar series on Tuesday, April 30, 6-7 p.m. Through "Grief: What it is and how to cope moving forward," you will learn:

• How to identify and articulate the seven phases of grief,
• How to analyze the various ways grief may affect physicians – both mentally and physically, and
• How to identify 3-4 resources and coping mechanisms to process grief.

Experts speakers Lise Barbour, MD, and Lisa Schlitzkus, MD -- both trained in palliative medicine -- will lead attendees through this session. The webinar will be recorded and sent to registrants after the live broadcast. Register here!

RIHEL ALTP Applications are open!

Applications accepted through April 26

For over 25 years, Advanced Leadership Training Program (ALTP) has supported health and environmental professionals with engaging and enriching learning experiences.

This year-long program provides a foundation of exemplary leadership practices focusing on: justice and belonging; collaboration and teamwork; coaching and practical skills.

The next cohort runs from August 2024 through May 2025. View program details.

Empowering Colorado: Medication disposal for safer communities

Medication safety is a shared responsibility. Guide your patients in the proper disposal of unused medications to reduce the risk of misuse and accidents. Find your nearest drop box at TakeMedsSeriously.org/safe-disposal. More information here.

An easier way to protect the environment starts in your medicine cabinet.

Panacea Financial has opened their 2024 application for $5,000 medical school scholarships for students from underrepresented ethnic and racial minorities. More information and application link here.

Let's connect!