The SCCMA keeps you up to date on the latest news, policy developments, and events
Thursday, October 16, 2025
CMA’s 2025 Legislative Wrap-Up Navigating Change highlights key victories from a challenging session, including new safeguards against private equity interference, streamlined prior authorization reforms, and measures to prevent AI misuse in health care.
Governor Gavin Newsom has joined 14 other governors in launching the Governors Public Health Alliance, a new multistate coalition focused on improving coordination, data sharing and emergency preparedness across the nation. The Alliance aims to strengthen the capacity of state health agencies to respond quickly and consistently to emerging public health threats.
CMA will convene its 154th annual House of Delegates meeting in Los Angeles this weekend, bringing together more than 800 physicians and medical students to debate and establish policy on the most pressing issues in medicine. This year’s meeting centers on a single theme: Responding to Federal Funding Cuts and Other Attacks on Health Care, Public Health, and Medicine.
CMS has reversed its earlier directive to hold all Medicare claims, now limiting the temporary payment delay to only certain services affected by expired federal provisions — including most telehealth and FQHC claims. All other physician claims will continue to be processed and paid on schedule.
Californians with both Medicare and Medi-Cal now have expanded access to integrated “Medi-Medi Plans” in 29 additional counties. The expansion nearly quadruples access to these coordinated care plans, which combine Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits into a single program designed to improve care for people with complex medical, behavioral or long-term care needs.
DHCS is moving forward with a new round of Medi-Cal Rx policy changes that take effect January 1, 2026. The updates—outlined as part of the 2025-26 state budget—will tighten coverage for certain drugs and over-the-counter products, including COVID-19 tests, GLP-1 weight loss drugs and vitamins.
Monday, October 13, 2025
Governor Gavin Newsom today signed Assembly Bill 489, a landmark bill that will protect patients from AI systems that misrepresent themselves as licensed medical professionals
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Astrana Health’s acquisition of Prospect Health became effective July 1, 2025, transferring provider contracts and operations to Astrana while keeping payment and reimbursement terms unchanged.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
CMA announced today that Governor Gavin Newsom signed a CMA-sponsored bill, Senate Bill 351, a critical piece of legislation that addresses the growing influence of private equity and hedge funds in health care delivery.
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law Senate Bill 306, a CMA-sponsored bill that delivers critical reforms to the prior authorization process.
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