This is an exciting year for Physician Assistants throughout the great State of Colorado. The 2010 Colorado State legislative session is just months away. The Colorado Academy of Physician Assistants (CAPA) has been an actively engaged to ensure that each of us will continue to enjoy an excellent practice environment and be able to provide quality healthcare as part of a "PA / Physician Team". The Sunset Review of the Medical Practice Act will be a part of this upcoming Legislative session. This process takes place every few years in an effort to review and update the laws and rules, which govern the practice of medicine in Colorado. PAs are a part of this "review" and CAPA has been busy this past year in preparation for these proceedings. Following is a highlight of our recent activities. Meetings With Department Of Regulatory Affairs (DORA): This Department is charged with analyzing current law that governs the practice of medicine and making recommendations of needed changes. This report is currently being written and will be presented before the Colorado Legislature in January 2010. CAPA has met with DORA and provided accurate information and recommendations regarding PA practice. We have offered several suggestions, including: PA / Supervising Physician Ratio: Currently one Physician may supervise up to two PAs. We have recommended that this ratio be expanded to four full time equivalents. This is consistent with standards in many other states. Physician Co-signature In Acute Care Setting: Current law states PA charts in a hospital setting must have Physician co-signature within 48 hours. We have requested that this guideline be updated to reflect standards adopted by many other states. Other Recommendations: There are other small changes which may be beneficial to the PA / Physician Team. However, these fall out of the purview of Sunset Review and may be pursued through other channels. We will keep you posted. Capitol Presence: CAPA has hired health care lobbyist Edie Busam of Aponte & Busam Public Affairs Consultants to provide PAs with a continual presence and voice at the State Capitol. Ms. Busam brings over 19 years of experience in the healthcare arena. BME / CMS: CAPA continues to enjoy constant communication The Board of Medical Examiners and Colorado Medical Society. Each of these bodies has been briefed on requested changes submitted to DORA and we look forward to continually strengthening of our relationship with our Physician partners. AAPA Connection: CAPA has received excellent guidance and support from the AAPA. Ann Davis and Liz Roe of State Government Affairs have provided valuable advice, resources, and comparison data to ensure that Colorado is on par with practice settings around the country. We plan to provide a regular update of events as we draw closer to the 2010 Legislative session. CAPA certainly welcomes any questions, comments, or concerns that you may have. Moreover, CAPA is only as strong as the membership! We invite you to join if you have not done so - www.coloradopas.org We consider it a great privilege to represent the great PAs throughout Colorado. Together we will make the most of these coming months and further strengthen healthcare in Colorado.