Medical student urges Colorado Legislature to help remove stigma from licensing application
Removing stigmatizing language on Colorado’s medical licensing application is essential to support physicians at every stage of their career, testified Ellie Laughlin, a third-year medical student, in support of Colorado House Bill 25-1176. This legislation would ensure that the Colorado medical licensing application is free from stigmatizing and inappropriate questions requiring physicians to disclose whether they have ever sought treatment for a mental illness or substance use disorder when there is no current impairment.
“We need an environment where being honest about our mental health is not met with judgment or professional penalties, but with compassion and support,” Ms. Laughlin said. “HB25-1176 represents a crucial step toward transforming the culture of medicine.”
Ms. Laughlin, who currently is on a family medicine rotation, highlighted how medical school rightly demands academic rigor, but that medical students are not immune from emotional and mental challenges—and they fear seeking treatment because of potential professional repercussions. She recounted how when she told one of her professors that she had an opportunity to testify in support of medical students’ and physicians’ health and well-being, her professor made sure that she could take a day out of her rotation to go to the state capitol.
“I am incredibly fortunate to work with preceptors that support mental health advocacy and also understand how important it is to take care of our own well-being as students,” Ms. Laughlin said.
Her testimony was joined by the Colorado Academy of Family Physicians, Colorado chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, Colorado Medical Society, Colorado Psychiatric Society, American Medical Association and others.
Just before the bill received a near-unanimous favorable vote in committee, bill co-sponsor Representative Rebekah Stewart summarized its importance, “I think this is a small step that we can take that other states have already done to ensure that the people who are taking care of us are also taking care of themselves.” The bill subsequently passed with overwhelming, bipartisan support in the House and is awaiting a hearing in the Senate.
"For the future of the medical profession and safe, quality patient care, we must all do our part to ensure equal privacy in mental health care for physicians and all healthcare professionals," said Stefanie Simmons, MD, chief medical officer, Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation, which leads the ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Healthcare coalition. "We're so grateful for medical students like Ellie advocating alongside our community to ensure health workers can access mental health care without fear of repercussions."
To date, at least 34 state medical licensing boards have made these changes to appropriately balance a medical board’s obligation to ensure public safety with not deterring physicians from seeking care. Physician surveys and other data continue to demonstrate that fear of disclosing treatment to a licensing board or employer is one of the primary reasons medical students, residents and practicing physicians do not seek care.
After the bill passed in the House, Ms. Laughlin recounted the story of a fellow medical student who was grieving following the death of his mother from breast cancer, but was nervous about what would happen if he sought care.
“He was struggling to process his own grief when returning back to clinical rotations shortly after she died. He needed professional support to help navigate through his loss while also needing to actively participate in a rigorous year of medical school,” she said. “This bill helps clarify that getting care means we won’t get punished for seeking care. By fostering an atmosphere that prioritizes mental well-being, this bill helps ensure that both students and physicians can thrive without fear, ultimately leading to better care for our patients.”
Learn more about the AMA’s advocacy (PDF) to support medical student, resident and physician health and well-being.
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- April 4, 2025: National Advocacy Update
- April 4, 2025: Judicial Advocacy Update
