Denver Medical Society Policy Engagment

House Bill 1344 is Now Reality

Johnny Johnson — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 03:47:16 GMT

At the urging of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Representative Christine Scanlan and Senator Betty Boyd have now introduced House Bill 1344.

This Bill will adjusts the cap on non-economic damages to account for inflation since 1988. The cap on non-economic damages is currently at $300,000.

This bill is bad for patients. It's especially bad for the most vulnerable patients - who rely on Medicaid and Medicare - and at the most vulnerable times ( especially since I do OB/GYN ) during childbirth and emergencies. This bill will also seriously harm access to care and drive health costs even higher.

The cap increase in this bill would raise average malpractice premiums up around 11%.. So Physician are looking at potentially double-digit increases in malpractice premiums. And, when malpractice insurance costs go up, Medicaid, Medicare, and rural patients lose access to care. Obstetrician (especially those in rural areas), and family practice doctors will stop seeing or treating these patients. Some rural physicians will just close up shop entirely because they can't afford the additional cost of coverage.

Our state and the legislators are facing serious money issues, job losses, and the worst recession in a long time. So, why would a bill of this nature be introduce by greedy trail lawyers at a time of recession and at a time of serious health care reform.

When will trail lawyers learn that it is not about them and they are not working in the best interest of their clients. If so maybe they can reduce their percentage of a settlement and give the patient more.

Why Doctors should engage in public policy

Chris — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 05:47:27 GMT

Note--this was originally posted in the forum section.

My name is Johnny Johnson and I am the chairman of a newly formed medical policy engagement group with the Denver Medical Society. This policy engagement group was created as a venue to have informal dialogue on important health care issues or simply to let off steam. Also, this is an opportunity to understand priorities in health care and to respond to opportunities in the upcoming legislation sessions. No matter the size of your practice, there are steps you can take to get involved. Getting started in this new health policy group will ensure you are not left behind in the future of health care. Part of our efforts with the DMS Policy Engagement group we want to focus on encouraging physicians to take action.

First of all I want to acknowledge Kathy(the executive director of DMS) and Chris Adams (The Adams Group) for the support and encouragement of physicians to aligns the interest of patients with all health care stakeholders. But most of all the purpose of the DMS engagement policy group is to learn from one another and have fun.

Check out the DMS Policy Engagement Forum thru Engaged Public. There are two posting on the site - one is the Legislative night with DMS, ADEMS, and the Aurora-Adams County Medical Society. This was an interactive dialogue using polling data. The series of questions were good and the results from physicians and legislators were interesting. If you can log in and give us your response. I was surprised how many members were dissatisfied with their county societies. I guest we have a lot of work to do? And, only 47% of the responders were optimistic about Obama's health care reform program or any major health care reform efforts in the State of Colorado. If health care reform were to happen in this state it would be federally mandated.

Next time we can discuss SCOPE of practice and APNs. Only 38% of the pollers support the recommendations on the DORA Sunset Review.

Why Physicians Need to Understand and Engage on Policy issues?

Johnny Johnson — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 06:49:58 GMT

Next time we can discuss SCOPE of practice and APNs. Only 38% of the pollers support the recommendations on the DORA Sunset Review.

PDF Version of Legislative Night Results

Chris — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 01:04:39 GMT

This file contains the results of questions asked and discussed at the January 27, 2009 Legilative Night. This is PDF of the presentation created that evening. The event was sponsored by the Denver Medical Socity, Arapahoe-Douglas-Elbert Medical Society, and Aurora-Adams Medical Society. This night included scores of doctor and about ten members of the legislature. The format was to ask public policy questions of concern to medicine using keypad polling devices that instantly showed responses--including breakouts for doctors and legislators. Take a look, and then join a discussion.

Results from Metro Area Medical Societies' Leg Night 2009

Chris — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:59:38 GMT

This file contains the results of questions asked and discussed at the January 27, 2009 Legilative Night. The event was sponsored by the Denver Medical Socity, Arapahoe-Douglas-Elbert Medical Society, and Aurora-Adams Medical Society. This night included scores of doctor and about ten members of the legislature. The format was to ask public policy questions of concern to medicine using keypad polling devices that instantly showed responses--including breakouts for doctors and legislators. Take a look, and then join a discussion.