Primary Care’s Essential Role in Advancing Health Equity for California Primary care is the most fair, efficient, and accessible way for all people to enter the health care system — regardless of race, ethnicity, or income — and obtain the services they need. A large body of research shows primary care is essential to improving health equity. Yet it is frequently absent or not explicitly referenced in health equity policy discussions. This report surveys the research linking primary care to improved health equity. With California working to strengthen primary care quality and increase systemwide investments in primary care infrastructure, the ... March 24, 2023 Healthcare Health Equity 0 0 Comment Read More »
Gov. Newsom proposal would add billions for mental health treatment beds In a major legislative proposal to combat the state’s growing homelessness crisis, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Sunday an effort to push billions of dollars toward building a vast network of treatment beds to help California’s mentally ill and drug-addicted residents find care. Through a bond measure that could reach up to $5 billion, the governor hopes to build at minimum 6,000 new mental health beds across the state. Funding would also come through the diversion of over $1 billion annually from a pool of money created by a proposition passed ... March 20, 2023 Healthcare, legislation, Mental Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
Insulin to Cost $30 as California Secures Contract to Combat Diabetes California will cut patients’ cost for insulin by 90% to $30, regardless of their insurance plan, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Saturday. The state has a contract with non-profit generic-drug company Civica to obtain insulin, a hormone used for treating diabetes. When the new, cheaper drug will become available is not clear: Civica and the state Health and Human Services Agency are working to identify a manufacturing facility in California, according to the governor’s announcement. Patients who pay cash for insulin will save $2,000 and $4,000 a year, Newsom’s office said, citing “egregious ... March 20, 2023 Healthcare, Insurance, legislation, Patient Care Insulin 0 0 Comment Read More »
Big Provisions in $1.7 Trillion Omnibus: What Doctors Should Know In enacting the 4,000-plus page, end-of-the-year spending package, Washington politicians failed to stop the entirety of scheduled Medicare pay cuts, which will come at a financially precarious time for physician practices left reeling in the COVID-19 pandemic’s third year. Because of that, physicians will face a 2% cut in Medicare payment in 2023, and 2024 will bring at least a 1.25% cut. Nevertheless, the $1.7 trillion bill signed by President Joe Biden does include a number of important AMA-supported provisions that physicians should know about. Among other things, the omnibus bill ... January 27, 2023 Advocacy, AMA, Health Net, Healthcare, legislation, Physician Workforce 0 0 Comment Read More »
Save the Date for CMA’s Legislative Advocacy Day, April 19 in Sacramento Event: CMA Legislative Advocacy Day Date: April 19 Registration: Free The California Medical Association (CMA) will host its 49th annual Legislative Advocacy Day in Sacramento on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with legislators on priority healthcare issues. The meetings will be scheduled and coordinated by local county medical societies. Santa Clara County Medical Association (SCCMA) members can contact Emily at emily@sccma.org or (408) 998 - 8850 x3011 for inquiries. This unique event is free of charge to all CMA physician members, residents and medical students. Plan to join your colleagues as they prepare ... January 23, 2023 Advocacy, CMA, Healthcare, Leadership, legislation Leg Day, Legislative Advocacy 0 0 Comment Read More »
