Health Policy

CMA's Regulations Quick List (2010.02.10)

CMA's Regulations Quick List provides a summary and current status of significant regulations followed by CMA's Center for Medical and Regulatory Policy. The Quick List is circulated regularly on a monthly basis or more frequently, as needed. For more information on a specific regulatory package, please contact the appropriate staff member identified at the end of each regulation summary by calling (916) 444-5532.

(See Bottom for "Rulemaking Process")

Haiti Update From the American Red Cross (2010.01.14)

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake caused widespread damage on the island of Haiti, especially in the capital city of Port au Prince. Aftershocks continue to shake the island. As with most earthquakes, we expect to see an immediate need for food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support.

State Proposes Sweeping Changes to Medi-Cal Program

The state Legislature has held public hearings on a Department of Health Care Services' (DHCS) concept paper that contemplates significant changes to the Medi-Cal program, with the goal of providing patients with access to better coordinated care that will improve outcomes and help slow the long-term growth in program costs.

SDCMS "News You Can Use" (2009.12.17)

SDCMS "News You Can Use"
— December 18, 2009

Executive Director Personal Comment: I hope all of you take the time to enjoy the December issue of San Diego Physician magazine ("The Joy of Being a Doctor") to remember why you got into medicine!

Significant New California Laws of Interest to Physicians for 2010

Despite numerous vetoes from the governor, 2009 produced significant, if incremental, changes to laws affecting the practice of medicine in California. With the health system reform debate now centered in Congress, state policymakers directed much of their attention to discrete issues impacting patient access to healthcare, the role of allied health professionals, medical records and privacy, physician licensing and discipline, patient safety, and professional liability.

Issues and Trends from a Six-Region Study of California Health Systems

Researchers from the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) conducted site visits in the fall of 2008 to six large California communities to study local healthcare systems and to gain insights into regional characteristics in healthcare affordability, access, and quality. The six markets — Fresno, Los Angeles, Oakland/San Francisco, Riverside/San Bernardino, Sacramento, and San Diego — reflect a range of economic, demographic, healthcare delivery, and financing conditions.

House Passes HR 3961 — Legislation to Permanently Repeal the SGR (Nov. 19, 2009)

FROM CMA:

The U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 3961, a bill that would repeal the current Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR), the formula that calls for annual cuts in Medicare physician payments. The 243–183 vote was largely on party lines.

2009 Interim Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates

• AMA Policy: Medical Marijuana
• AMA Policy: Healthcare Disparities in Same-Sex Partner Households
• AMA Press Release: "AMA Votes to Continue Commitment to Health System Reform"

Health Finance Reform Is Needed (Published in Oct. 30, 2009, San Diego Union-Tribune)

[Note: This opinion piece was originally published in the Friday, October 30, 2009, edition of The San Diego Union-Tribune.]

As efforts toward health care reform progress, the San Diego County Medical Society, representing more than 6,500 physicians in San Diego, would like to present a doctor's perspective.

Letter From Dev GnanaDev, MD, CMA President, to CMA Member Physicians (2009.08.18)

August 18, 2009

Dear SDCMS-CMA Member Physician,

The California Medical Association has sent a letter to the California congressional delegation expressing our support for the healthcare coverage expansions and the fundamental Medicare and Medicaid reforms in HR 3200, "America's Health Care Choices Act." You can see our letter to Congress here.