Copic has emphasized the importance of legislative advocacy in medicine and health care delivery since its early years. The organization notes that navigating the legislative process has become more difficult, making partnerships with groups like the Colorado Medical Society essential for raising awareness about issues facing physicians and engaging lawmakers.
The Public Affairs team at Copic leads the company’s long-term investment in legislative advocacy. Their focus is on issues such as professional review, licensing, new duties and requirements, and liability. According to Copic, “As the political landscape changes, our commitment to this work remains a foundation for how Copic’s mission is put into action and used to protect and strengthen health care.”
Legislative advocacy at Copic involves coordination, relationship building, and a multi-faceted approach. Activities include reviewing new legislation and presenting policy updates to physician leaders. Engagement with communities helps build awareness about Copic’s efforts to protect access to quality care and maintain the physician-patient relationship.
Copic also works closely with key stakeholders—including elected officials, advocacy partners, community organizations, insured physicians—through various forms of engagement such as direct communication or virtual discussions. “Engagement must include our insureds – the physicians providing preventative, specialized or emergency care,” according to Copic.
Monitoring legislation is central to these efforts. Each year, many bills are introduced that could affect health care delivery. The Public Affairs team collaborates with legal and medical experts within Copic to analyze proposed legislation by scrutinizing language and considering consequences from multiple perspectives. Partnerships with organizations like the Colorado Medical Society and Colorado Hospital Association help represent both providers and patients during this process.
“Our work tracks alongside the progression of bills through the legislative process,” states Copic. The organization weighs in with recommendations while discussing issues with legislators and partner organizations so that decisions about health care in Colorado are informed by relevant perspectives.
Copic uses what it calls “the 4 Cs” framework for its advocacy: convening stakeholders from across health care; collaborating by combining strengths of different groups; coordinating people and resources—including connecting medical professionals with legislators; and communicating expertise gained through data analysis or best practices.
The Humanitarian Award—presented annually by Copic along with the Colorado Medical Society—is cited as an example of their coordinated efforts: “an annual award that we present with the Colorado Medical Society to a volunteer physician who is making a difference in their local community.”
According to Copic, sharing knowledge gained from legislative advocacy helps develop programs or resources that support better outcomes across the health care community.
