As a physician you know all too well how patients are adversely affected when the delivery of care doesn't go as well as it could. You also know firsthand the state of flux that the health care system and the medical profession are currently in as everyone grapples with change. You can have an impact by participating in the Advanced Physician Leadership Program, a yearlong training program that gives physicians the tools to lead effectively and help transform systems of care.

Click here to read more on CMS.org, including reviews from the APLP Class of 2012. Act quickly; applications for the 2014 class are due March 14.

The Colorado Medical Society has teamed up with the American Medical Association for a new program that brings a CMS leader to physician group meetings around the state. Through the AMA Ambassador Program, a member of the Colorado delegation to the AMA will present a brief presentation on the national association's strategic focus areas, major advocacy and program initiatives, and our successful collaborations.

As physicians, you know that the best patient care usually comes as the result of teamwork. We all want to do our best for patients, and sometimes doing the best means working with others - others who may have different skill sets and resources. It's not much different in organized medicine. The AMA is a crucial partner to CMS and our aim is to increase awareness of the work that they do.

Act quickly; this program will only be offered for a short time and spots are limited. To invite an ambassador to your meeting, contact Dianna Mellott-Yost at CMS at [email protected] or (720) 858-6321.

The abuse of prescription drugs is the fastest growing drug problem in the United States and a January 2013 survey found that Colorado has the second-highest rate of prescription drug abuse in the nation. Some diversion and abuse comes after family or friends pillage medicine cabinets for excess medications.

Physicians can help prevent prescription drug abuse by encouraging their patients to appropriately dispose of expired or unwanted medications on April 26, 2014, the next National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

Click here to visit the Colorado Medication Take-Back Project page of the CDPHE website to view eligible drop-off locations or download the event brochure. Click here to visit the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) website to learn more. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Congress has made great progress by working across party lines and across chambers to produce a joint policy framework that repeals Medicare's sustainable growth rate formula, but the deal is far from done. Congress must pass an SGR fix to avert a 24.1 percent cut that will go into effect on March 31. The American Medical Association has issued a call for action for members to urge Congress to pass the "SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2014" (HR 4015/S 2000).

The AMA has praised HR 4015/S 2000, by Rep. Michael Burgess, MD (R-TX) and Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), for addressing the policy provisions related to eliminating the SGR. However, the bill does not include financial offsets or extender policies, which present large hurdles to passage. CMS physician leaders will be on Capitol Hill this week meeting with the entire Colorado congressional delegation about a range of issues including the SGR repeal. Look for a report on these meetings in an upcoming issue of ASAP.

"This decade-long cycle of temporary patches to prevent steep payment cuts must end," said AMA President Ardis Dee Hoven, MD. This process "has cost more than $150 billion to date. That's more than the cost of eliminating this failed policy. Clearly, repealing the SGR is the fiscally responsible way toward a higher performing Medicare program. Don't let Congress resort to yet another patch or, even worse, a 24 percent cut to physician payments."

Today - March 5 - is the national call to action for SGR repeal. Click here to send an e-mail to Congress now through the AMA's Fix Medicare Now website. You can also call lawmakers through the AMA's Physicians Grassroots Network hotline at (800) 833-6354. It's time to repeal the SGR by passing HR 4015/S 2000.

The Colorado Medical Society is collaborating with the California Medical Association, the Medical Group Management Association and the CMA Foundation to bring you the 2014 Western Health Care Leadership Academy. The conference will be held at the San Diego Convention Center April 11-13, 2014, and features a keynote address by former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

This conference is especially relevant to physicians and nurses in all practice settings, medical practice managers and administrators, and medical students and residents. Attend to prepare for changes affecting your practice, your profession and your economic future; learn techniques to minimize financial risks and boost the bottom line; acquire skills needed to excel as a medical practice or medical staff leader; and network with your colleagues.

CMS members can receive the discounted "physician member" rate of $795 through the early bird deadline of March 14. Members who register after March 14 can continue to receive the $795 rate by registering through the academy phone hotline at (800) 795-2262. Discounts are also available for multiple registrations. We want to make sure Colorado is represented! Click here for more information and to register.