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Last night, Senate Bill 130 Noneconomic Damage Cap Medical Malpractice Actions passed through the Senate Judiciary Committee 4-1 after a six-hour hearing.

More than 20 proponents of the bill, including CMS President Omar Mubarak, MD, MBA, one of his patients, two medical students and 20 other witnesses testified in support of the bill. The trial attorneys who oppose the bill brought their own witnesses, and testimony included heartbreaking patient stories. We finally prevailed with the skillful stewardship of bill sponsors, Sen. Kyle Mullica (D) and Sen. Perry Will (R).

We continue to stand firm in our message: This bill is reasonable and responsible, and will provide fair compensation to plaintiffs while still protecting patient safety, quality of care, affordability, and health care access for all Coloradans. But we need your help.

The trial lawyers are not backing down in their attempts to amend or kill SB130, or to pass the five ballot initiatives they are moving through the title process to place before voters on the November ballot. As previously reported, #150 and #277 are direct attacks on liability caps, and #274, #275 and #276 are going after confidential information, including peer review, quality improvement and medical records. If passed, these ballot initiatives would increase health care costs and reduce access to care for patients, with the damage starting in rural areas. 

It is imperative that we pass SB130 to neutralize the misguided ballot initiatives in the fall. We can’t afford to put health care at risk for millions of Coloradans just to line the pockets of a small group of attorneys.

What you can do:

Contact your legislator to share your support of Senate Bill 130.

• Click here to send a message and encourage your colleagues to do the same

Educate yourself on these ballot initiatives and spread the word to your family, friends and community groups.

• Read a fact sheet on Senate Bill 130
• Watch a recording of a CMS webinar: "Defend Against Threats to Peer Review and Malpractice Liability"
• Read a fact sheet on Ballot Initiative 150
• Invite a CMS representative to present to your practice, group or hospital

Make a donation to help us reach our goal. We are just one-quarter of the way to our fundraising goal for the CMS Liability Defense Fund by the end of April.

• Contribute online

Ask patients to share their stores. Patient stories have the ability to make a profound impact.

• Start reaching out to those whose lives you have touched and connect them to our communications team.

Rural physician and 2023 COPIC Humanitarian Award honoree recognized at the state Capitol

2023 COPIC Humanitarian Award winner April Randle, MD, of Cortez, was recognized yesterday at the Capitol for her dedication to community service and her work in rural medicine in southwest Colorado. She came out of retirement to become medical director of Basic Clinic in Naturita and travels to the clinic -- over an hour and a half from her home -- to provide care and assist with critical administrative duties. Her nominator wrote that her unwavering commitment to her clinic showcases her selflessness and passion for patients. Congratulations, Dr. Randle!

You're invited to a free wellness event in Denver, Thursday, May 2, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Register today for a CME webinar on April 30: "Grief: What it is and how to cope moving forward"

Everyone will suffer loss in life. During this CME webinar, physicians teach physicians how to identify and articulate the seven phases of grief, analyze the various ways grief may affect physicians – both mentally and physically, and identify resources and coping mechanisms to process grief. Join us April 30, 6-7 p.m. via Zoom.

CHoSEN's Spring Forum to focus on best practices in response to newborns prenatally exposed to substances - April 29

The Colorado Hospital Substance Exposed Newborns (CHoSEN) Collaborative, through the joint providership of Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Section of Neonatology, will host a hybrid Spring Forum on April 29, 2024 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. The event is free and open to anyone who is interested in these efforts. Find more information here, and register here! Available credit: 4.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

Registration Instructions: Click here to either log in to Children's Hospital Continuing Education Platform OR create a Visitor Account to complete registration. You will be prompted to Register/Take course and complete the questionnaire. Register by April 15, 2024.

Last chance to apply: Application deadline for CMS medical student scholarships extended to April 12

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 12, 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 12, 2024. Read more here.

Questions? Contact kate_alfano@cms.org.

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 your teen starts in your medicine cabinet.

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