At this time, the 171st ISMA Annual Convention is anticipated to proceed as scheduled on Sept. 11-13, although the status of all ISMA meetings is being evaluated due to the COVID-19 emergency. Resolutions are being accepted until Monday, July 13, for consideration by the 2020 ISMA House of Delegates.

Each year, these ISMA resolutions propose ways to improve Indiana law regarding health care, medical practice, patient welfare or other issues. If adopted, they become ISMA policy and help drive our organization’s agenda at the Statehouse.

As noted above, resolutions must be submitted here or by emailing Rhonda Bennett by Monday, July 13.

Following a few guidelines will give your resolution a better chance of success:

• Determine an action or position that you would like ISMA to take. Then, succinctly state the action or position and the reasons.
• Research current policy. If your resolution asks ISMA to do something, check the Public Policy Manual to see if the issue has been addressed. If it asks the AMA to act, check www.ama-assn.org/form/policy-finder for current policy.
• Write a short title.
• Include your name or names of ISMA members introducing the resolution.
• Write one or more “Whereas” statements that briefly explain the issue and each reason ISMA should take action. Each “Whereas” statement should include only a single point.
  o Conclude with one or more “Resolved” statements. Each “Resolved” statement is considered separately and must: o State a clear, specific action plan for what you want ISMA to do.
  o Include all information necessary to be understood by someone with no prior knowledge of the issue and without reference to the “Whereas” statements.

Again, resolutions may be submitted until Monday, July 13. Call the ISMA staff at 800-257-4762 or 317-261-2060 with any questions.