The NCMS Board of Directors met Feb. 20, 2019, to discuss the strategic initiatives NCMS should pursue in 2019. The board framed the discussion around seven topics from 2018: wellness, opioids/substance use disorder, advocacy, communication, education, community/social and advance care planning.

A brainstorming session and interactive activity led the board to support several initiatives for 2019. Those with the highest number of votes were: Osteoporosis, advocacy, vaping and advance care planning. Other initiatives with lower numbers of votes were: Wellness, wellness systems, wellness community toxins/fracking; communication; opioids and enabling providers to obtain waiver training and attend learning forums; education; nutrition; IT/artificial intelligence; community/social-town hall meetings; advocacy and legislative night; HHS/rule; drug pricing/transparency; and health system reform/single payor pro and con.

Many subtopics were presented under each bucket and a vast majority are already in the NCMS work plan. Our current large projects underway include state legislative advocacy with CMS partnership, ACP education with the Systems of Care Initiative, opioid education events and outreach, and the annual Legislative Night.

Based on these results, the board decided that NCMS should include all seven buckets and subtopics that are currently in the work plan or will be worked on in the 2019 fiscal year (see 2019 goals).

Thanks to the board for their work, and to all of our NCMS members. I’m looking forward to a great 2019.

Maria Medina, EdD
NCMS Executive Director