CAFP Weekly Newsletter for Jan. 9, 2025
CAFP Weekly Newsletter
Family Medicine Resources
Free CME Opportunity: Long COVID in Children and Adolescents
This CDC-funded course discusses and describes the pathophysiology of long COVID in children and adolescents, how to detect and diagnose, and risk-reduction and care-planning strategies. The module is accessible through February 25, 2025. Click here for more information and to register*.
*You’ll be asked to register with CU e-Learning to access the module. Use the registration code LongCOVID.
CDPHE to Host Free World Tuberculosis Day Symposium
When: Mon., March 24, 2025; 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Where: National Jewish Health, Molly Blank Conference Center 1400 Jackson St Denver, CO 80206
This free, in-person Symposium will feature experts discussing TB’s interaction with mental health and diabetes, survivor stories, newcomer and refugee health, and more. Learn more and register.
Academy Happenings
Register for CAFP’s Virtual CME: Family Medicine Can Prevent Maternal Mortality by Championing Hospital Quality Improvement
Wed., January 22; 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Volunteer as Doctor of the Day
Doctor of the Day is the Colorado Academy of Family Physicians’ unique volunteer opportunity with state lawmakers to highlight what family physicians are all about. Volunteer Doctors of the Day serve as the on-call physician for a day at the Colorado State Capitol where they provide consultation and urgent medical care to legislators, Capitol staff, and visitors.
There are still volunteer shifts available! Sign up today!
CAFP’s 2025 Legislative Priorities
CAFP is ready for the 2025 legislative session with a focus on supporting family physicians and improving healthcare access. Our Your Health, Your Career campaign highlights key priorities:
- Reducing stigma in medical licensing: advocating for changes to licensure applications to remove barriers to mental health care for physicians, fostering well being and reducing burnout.
- Ending noncompete agreements: supporting legislation to eliminate restrictive contracts that hinder career mobility and disrupt patient care.
- Protecting healthcare funding: addressing Colorado’s $1 billion budget deficit by safeguarding Medicaid reimbursements and funding for safety net programs that serve vulnerable populations.
- Monitoring federal healthcare policy: staying ahead of federal changes to Medicaid, Medicare, and healthcare infrastructure to ensure family medicine remains strong in Colorado.
The session began yesterday. Stay engaged for updates on our progress through the Advocacy Insiders Newsletter!
Federal Legislative Update: Congress Passes 3-Month Continuing Resolution, Plus Speak Out Opportunity
Last December, after failing to advance a bipartisan year-end legislative package, Congress passed a 3-month Continuing Resolution (CR) to avert a federal government shutdown. The CR includes a temporary extension of key health provisions through the end of March, including:
- Medicare telehealth flexibilities
- Funding for Teaching Health Centers and Community Health Centers
What You Can Do:
Congress did not prevent the 2.8% physician payment cut from taking effect on January 1, 2025, despite bipartisan efforts to provide relief. AAFP expressed strong opposition and has launched a Speak Out campaign, encouraging members to voice their disappointment to lawmakers over this failure. All members are urged to contact their lawmakers regarding these critical issues this year.
Advocacy efforts have already resumed with the start of the 119th Congress, which began on January 3, 2025. The AAFP remains committed to advancing family medicine priorities, including:
- Addressing challenges with physician reimbursement
- Reducing administrative burdens
- Supporting and strengthening the family physician workforce
Our continued engagement is vital as we work to achieve meaningful progress on these issues in the months ahead.
CAFP Endorses Save Our Safety Net Website to Address Medicaid Crisis
CAFP is proud to endorse the recently launched Save Our Safety Net website as part of a coordinated effort by the Colorado Health Policy Coalition (CHPC) to address the ongoing Medicaid crisis.
This comprehensive resource highlights the critical challenges facing Medicaid members and safety net providers, offering data-driven insights and personal stories from consumers and providers affected by disenrollment. It also showcases recent media coverage, amplifying the urgency of the crisis and advocating for actionable solutions.
CAFP’s support reflects its commitment to ensuring access to care for all Coloradans, particularly the most vulnerable populations. By endorsing this campaign, CAFP underscores the importance of:
- Raising public and policymaker awareness of the crisis
- Advocating for sustainable solutions to safeguard Medicaid and the health care safety net
- Highlighting the real-world impacts of disenrollment on health outcomes
As state leaders prepare to address these issues in the FY 2025-26 budget, CAFP stands united with coalition partners in urging swift action to protect healthcare access and strengthen Colorado’s safety net.