As proclaimed by Governor Hickenlooper, October 2018 is Family Health Month in Colorado. Each year the state proclaims October as Family Health Month in recognition of family medicine’s work on behalf of patients and valuable role in the health care system. The CAFP continues to have a strong presence at the Colorado Legislature, and the
Colorado voters legalized the use of recreational marijuana on November 6, 2012. In the almost six years since, policy makers and citizens alike have been carefully watching to see what consequences might arise. Most seem to agree the “great experiment” has been a mix of successes and failures. One issue of high priority to family
Turn on the TV, go online, pick up a newspaper, it’s not hard to see that healthcare and health policy are hot and contentious topics. The endless debate can leave healthcare providers wondering: how can I possibly make a difference? How can we add the voice of experience and reason to all the noise? Primary
By Stephanie Gold, MD The Primary Care Investment Strategy The CAFP is pursuing a Primary Care Investment Strategy (PCIS) with the aims of: 1) accurately measuring how much is being spent on primary care in Colorado 2) increasing spending on primary care to a target of 15% of total health care spending 3) requiring increasing
By Michael J. Pramenko, MD Stop the press. Public and private payers take note. Primary Care in the United States is undervalued. Surely, and sarcastically speaking, primary care providers are shocked by this news. In medicine and public policy, we like to believe that we follow the evidence and let facts guide the implementation of
by Gina Carr, MD Despite the knowledge that societies with a better primary care orientation have better outcomes as well as increased efficiency and better perceptions of patient experience of care, we are not yet routinely incentivizing primary care providers (PCPs) and services. Why is the societal value of reduced mortality rates, reduced rates of
by Monica Morris, DO, CAFP President The CAFP is excited to announce we are launching a new initiative to increase the investments being made in primary care to at least 15% of total health spending, double what we spend today. This initiative will accelerate the move to paying for high value services like primary care,
During the 2016 legislative session, the CAFP championed HB-1142, the Colorado Rural Preceptor Tax Credit. This bill was designed to offer a $1,000 tax credit, to be taken on personal income taxes, to preceptors in rural communities. Training more students in rural areas can encourage more to go on and practice in rural areas, and
As you may have heard, Match Day 2017 was very encouraging for family medicine. According to the AAFP, 3,237 medical students and graduates matched into family medicine residency programs. That’s the most in family medicine’s history. There were also more positions open for these graduating students. Family medicine offered 3,378 positions, 118 more than last
Our new issue features a number of great stories, including a look at the rural training track in Colorado, a life member’s reflection on many decades in family medicine, and a family physician’s guide to the November ballot, for anyone who is yet to vote! Plus, earn CME by reading this issue! Details on page