California Senate’s New Health Chair to Prioritize Mental Health and Homelessness Article by Rachel Bluth of California Healthline California state Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman, a Stockton Democrat who was instrumental in passing Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature mental health care legislation last year, has been appointed to lead the Senate’s influential health committee, a change that promises a more urgent focus on expanding mental health services and moving homeless people into housing and treatment. Eggman, a licensed social worker, co-authored the novel law that allows families, clinicians, first responders, and others to petition a judge to mandate government-funded treatment and services for people ... January 9, 2023 General, legislation, Medi-Cal, Mental Health, Patient Care, Public Health Health Care Reform, Homelessness 0 0 Comment Read More »
Physicians react to Congress’ vote to cut Medicare payments by 2.5% in 2023 The United States Congress passed their year-end omnibus legislation last week, which includes a Medicare physician payment cut of 2.5% in 2023. Physicians had been staring down cuts as much as 8.5%, but a nationwide advocacy campaign by the American Medical Association, California Medical Association (CMA) and more than 150 organizations representing over 1 million physicians helped stave off many of the reductions. However, physicians who care for Medicare patients and CMA are very concerned about how the cut will impact patient access to care. “Congress’ plan to cut Medicare demonstrates a lack of understanding ... January 3, 2023 CMA, Medicare 0 0 Comment Read More »
CDPH HEALTH ADVISORY: Reminder to Lower Barriers to Prescribing COVID-19 Therapeutics to Mitigate Impact of COVID-19 December 2, 2022 California Department of Public Health Link California Medical Association Link Background Currently, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are increasing in California. Importantly, other viruses such as influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are also circulating, affecting vulnerable populations including children and the elderly, and straining the state's healthcare systems. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommend that everyone 6 months of age or older has an annual influenza vaccine and stays up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including the bivalent booster that is ... December 12, 2022 COVID19, Patient Care, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
New California Health Laws for 2023 While the legislature passed various new laws impacting health care in California, significant focus was placed on legislation intended to protect physicians and patients in response to the United States Supreme Court decision in Dobbs. The California Medical Association (CMA) published a summary of new laws of interest to physicians that cover reproductive rights, emergency services, healthcare facilities, and more. You can view the PDF HERE. December 12, 2022 Advocacy, CMA, Drug Prescribing/Dispensing, General, Healthcare, Insurance, Medi-Cal, Medicare, Mental Health, Patient Care, Physician Workforce 0 0 Comment Read More »
The Bioethics Committee of the SCCMA approves and endorses the following statement by the President of the CMA, Robert E. Wailes, M.D. following the Dobbs decision. The Bioethics Committee of the SCCMA approves and endorses the following statement by the President of the CMA, Robert E. Wailes, M.D. following the Dobbs decision. “Today the U.S. Supreme Court has rolled back the fundamental rights of Americans to receive evidence-based reproductive health care, and in doing so has put the lives and welfare of millions of women at risk. The California Medical Association has long advocated for unencumbered access to reproductive health services and strongly believes that all personal medical decisions—including those around abortion—should be made by patients in ... December 12, 2022 Advocacy Bioethics 0 0 Comment Read More »
