As previously reported, several resolutions were submitted for consideration by the 2020 House of Delegates before and after the decision was made to hold this year’s convention virtually and limit its scope. The Board of Trustees (BOT) considered those resolutions’ subject matter and urgency at its Sept. 13 virtual meeting. Those resolutions and the BOT’s reactions to them are now available to read online.

When the BOT announced that convention would be virtual and limited in scope this year, Board Chair J. Elizabeth Struble, MD, and House of Delegates Speaker Andrew Trobridge, MD, also assured ISMA members that “although policy-making will not occur at this year’s limited annual meeting, your Board stands ready to address policy issues as they arise and report back to the House as appropriate.”

“As the current pandemic situation continues to evolve,” their statement continued, “ISMA’s physician leaders and staff will be working very hard to ensure that the needs of our members are being met. Your voice is more important now than ever. Please share any urgent pandemic advocacy or other issues with your Board of Trustees for consideration now on behalf of your fellow physicians and their patients.”

In addition to the resolutions submitted by ISMA members, the ISMA Commission on Legislation (COL) submitted its suggestions (in the form of resolutions) on how to address issues anticipated to arise in the 2021 legislative session. These were formatted and numbered like typical resolutions for ease of tracking.

Pursuant to its executive authority under the ISMA Bylaws, the BOT considered each of these submissions at its Sept. 13 virtual meeting. Resolutions were assessed for their urgency in timing and subject matter. The BOT voted that some resolutions could be tabled until the 2021 convention and noted its agreement with the approach proposed in some, including the COL resolutions. The BOT does not intend to adopt any permanent policy positions on behalf of ISMA in circumvention of the House of Delegates. The BOT will continue to be available to address urgent policy and legislative issues from ISMA members. Members may contact their trustees or ISMA staff with questions or submissions.

The 2020 resolutions considered by the BOT, as well as the BOT’s reactions to them, are now posted online.