When the Board of Trustees (BOT) announced that convention would be virtual and limited in scope this year, BOT Chair J. Elizabeth Struble, MD, and 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.”

At that time, a few ISMA members had already filed convention resolutions. Since then, several more members have submitted policy concerns, and 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 are 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 receive comments and address urgent issues from ISMA members. Members may contact their Trustees or ISMA staff with questions or submissions.

A list of resolutions considered by the BOT, as well as the BOT’s comments, will be posted online soon.