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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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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.