CMS members often identify advocacy as an important aspect of their CMS membership. Our challenge has been promoting statewide physician involvement, a key piece of CMS advocacy strategy. The following are just a few of the advocacy opportunities available to CMS members.

During the legislative session (January to May each year):

• Contact your local legislator and/or the CMS government relations team regarding legislation that directly affects your practice or patients.
• Testify in committee.
• Host and/or participate in legislative conversations, town halls and receptions.
• Cultivate relationships with local legislators. Let them know you are a resources for health care-related questions.
• Participate in the Council on Legislation (COL). COL bylaws allow only two voting members from any society or specialty group; however, all members are welcome to attend meetings in person or by phone.
• Participate in CMS workgroups and task forces.
• Answer CMS surveys.

During elections (each summer through the first week of November):

• Participate in/donate to COMPAC, CMS's bipartisan political action committee.
• Donate to the Small Donor Committee, which gives money only to lawmakers who vote 100 percent with CMS on liability issues.
• Participate in candidate interviews held jointly by CMS and your local medical society.
• Cultivate relationships with candidates. Let them know you are a resource for health care-related questions.
• Learn if CMS has endorsed a candidate in your district by reading Colorado Medicine, ASAP e-newsletters or contacting the government relations team.
• Most important, vote!

Thank you for your involvement!

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