ADEMS President-elect, Chris Linares, MD attended the AMA National Advocacy Conference and accompanying visits to Colorado's congressional delegation February 10-12. She joined a leadership group from Colorado organized medicine that included new CEO Bryan Campbell (Colorado Medical Society) and leaders from other Colorado county medical societies: President Alan Kimura, MD and Executive Director Kathy Lindquist-Kleissler (Denver Medical Society), President Edward Norman, MD and Executive Director John Ward (Northern Colorado Medical Society), President Trish Weber, MD (Mesa County Medical Society).
In addition to attending conference sessions with several key health care legislative leaders such as Senator Bill Cassidy, MD of Louisiana, Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services Director Seema Verma, and Admiral Brett Giroir, MD, Assistant Secretary of Health, Dr. Linares was also able to participate in briefings on current legislative efforts impacting physicians and patients.
Key issues currently active in Congress, which were a focus of the Colorado group's discussions with Colorado's senators and representatives in meetings on Capitol Hill, were federal efforts to address out-of-network or surprise bills (3 House and 2 Senate bills under consideration), proposals such as H.R. 3107 which would reduce prior authorization burdens, MACRA refinements, and efforts to provide funding and regulatory pathways to conduct research on medical impacts of marijuana use. The group was able to provide real-world examples and explanations of how these issues impact patients and their physicians on a daily basis.
ADEMS leadership has attended the AMA National Advocacy meeting and hill visits each year, as it is important to bring the voice of practicing South Metro area physicians to our legislative leaders and to let them know that we are engaged and committed. Thanks to Dr. Linares who took the time to participate directly and we appreciate our members who make it possible with their support of ADEMS and its continued mission to advance the practice of medicine in our community.
