NYCU April 14, 2026 April 14, 2026 Champions for Health, CMA, Dementia, Infectious Disease, Leadership, MAHA, Medicare, Member Social, Prior Authorization, Public Health, Regulations, Reproductive Rights, SDCMS, Trump Administration, Vaccines 0 TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026 PHYSICIANS: Last week, California Medical Association held its Annual Legislative Advocacy Day at the State Capitol in Sacramento. Hundreds of physicians from across the state, including a delegation of 18 doctors and medical students from San Diego led by SDCMS President Preeti Mehta, MD, met with state legislators to discuss health policy. The San Diegans met with 11 legislative offices, including state Senate Republican Leader Brian Jones, Senator (and physician) Akilah Weber Pierson, Senator Catherine Blakespear, Senator Steve Padilla, Assemblymember Chris Ward, Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, Assemblymember LaShae Sharp–Collins, Assemblymember Laurie Davies, Assemblymember David Alvarez, Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, and Assemblmember Darshana Patel. We discussed legislation to regulate down–coding by insurance companies, the need for speed limits on e–bikes for minors to help limit injuries, and preventing the use of artificial intelligence deep fakes of physicians. State Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limon addressed the entire group of gathered physicians during lunch. CMA WITHDRAWS ENDORSEMENT OF ERIC SWALWELL | CONGRESSMAN DROPS OUT OF CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR’S RACE AND RESIGNS FROM CONGRESS It’s been a dramatic and shocking few days in California politics. The front–runner for Governor, Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell, was credibly accused of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct by several women. Senator Adam Schiff, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, Swalwell’s Campaign Chair, and virtually all of his endorsements withdrew their support. The California Medical Association, after complying with the 48–hour notice required by state law to hold a meeting, did likewise. Swallwell subsequently suspended his campaign and has now announced his resignation from Congress. CMA put out a statement discussing its action which declared, “Allegations of sexual assault must be treated with the utmost seriousness, and they demand clear moral leadership — not equivocation or delay. As physicians, we are guided by a duty to protect and care for others, and that responsibility extends beyond our profession into the leaders we choose to support.” The CMA statement further states, “We also want to be clear with our members about how we arrived at our initial endorsement. At the time CMA made the decision to support Congressman Swalwell, it was based on the information available to us and what we believed to be in the best interests of our organization and the patients we serve. We cannot use information that has come to light now to retroactively judge a decision made in a different context, with a different set of facts. “As part of our endorsement process, we asked Congressman Swalwell directly whether there was anything in his past that could be embarrassing or damaging to the campaign or to CMA. He assured us there was not. More recently, when these rumors first began to circulate, we again raised them with him directly, and he vehemently denied the allegations. “In light of the current circumstances, and the seriousness of these claims, we believe withdrawing our endorsement is the only appropriate course of action. “CMA remains committed to accountability, and to representing the values of California’s physicians. We will continue to keep you informed as this situation evolves and as we determine next steps in the gubernatorial race.” PRIVATE PRACTICE PHYSICIAN NETWORKING EVENT A SUCCESS IN MISSION VALLEY SDCMS was honored to have CMA President Rene Bravo join us for our successful Private Practice Networking Reception last Thursday at the Town and Country Resort. The Doctors Company made a CME presentation while our sponsors, MedWay and Aledade, made the event possible while sharing the services they offer to support private practice physicians. If you want to learn more about how CMA, SDCMS, and MedWay as well as Aledade can help your private practice, please contact SDCMS Membership Coordinator Hanna Basler at Hanna.Basler@SDCMS.org. REMINDER | FREE WEBINAR ‘BEST PRACTICE: OFFICE MANAGER FORUM’ THIS THURSDAY, APRIL 16TH FROM 12 TO 1 PM Sponsored by The Doctors Company (TDC), Orange County Medical Society and San Diego County Medical Society, this virtual session will highlight essential updates regarding California compliance and regulatory requirements, introduce latest rules for HIPAA 2026, and feature two distinguished and informative guest speakers. The program will provide valuable insights and practical resources for managing challenging patient situations, as well as strategies to strengthen and optimize your practice’s business operations. CLICK HERE to register. SDCMS’ 156TH PRESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION DINNER & CHAMPIONS FOR HEALTH GALA SET FOR SATURDAY JUNE 27TH On Saturday, June 27th from 5 – 10pm, San Diego County Medical Society and Champions for Health will be holding the installation of the 156th SDCMS President and our annual United in Wellness Gala, with the theme ‘Soaring Toward a Healthier San Diego.’ This not–to–be missed event will be held at the San Diego Air and Space Museum in beautiful Balboa Park. It promises to be a great night for San Diego’s physician and health care community, and is a crucial benefit to support Champion’s efforts to help medically assist San Diego County’s underserved communities. You can purchase tickets or sponsorships HERE. If you have any questions about sponsorships or other Gala–related details or logistics please reach out to Champions’ Gabriela Stichler by phone at (858) 300-2789 or at Gabriela.Stichler@Championsfh.org. We look forward to seeing you there. As always, let me know if you have any questions! Paul Hegyi, CEO WHAT TO KNOW … Hospitals Launch Chatbots, Creating Another Funnel for Patient Intake CLICK HERE Peptides: What’s Real, What’s Risky and What’s Next CLICK HERE Americans are Eating Up the Meat Industry’s Health Claims CLICK HERE A Flu Vaccine Recommended for Older Adults Could Lower Alzheimer’s Risk, Research Finds CLICK HERE Payers Need to Speed Up Prior Authorization for Drugs Under Proposed Rule CLICK HERE Your Guide to Who’s Who in the MAHA Movement CLICK HERE Trump is Still Trying to DOGE the NIH. Republicans are Tired CLICK HERE CMS Updates Psychiatric and Rehab Payments CLICK HERE Patients Scramble to Find Estrogen Patches as Shortage Worsens After the US FDA Champions Use CLICK HERE WHAT TO DO … APR 16, 2026: 6–7pm, FREE Webinar for Members and Non–Members, sponsored by SDCMS, OCMA and The Doctors Company (TDC), ‘Best Practice: Office Manager Forum’. Learn essential updates regarding California compliance and regulatory Requirements and the latest rules for HIPAA 2026 from two distinguished and informative guest speakers. Get valuable insights and practical resources for managing challenging patient situations plus strategies to strengthen and optimize your practice’s business operations CLICK HERE MAY 19, 2026: 12:15-1:15pm, FREE Webinar for Members and Non–Members, sponsored by CMA and The Doctors Company, ‘Understanding the Impact of Patient Nonadherence on Clinical Outcomes & Malpractice Claims’. Increases in noncompliant and nonadherent patients is concerning. Health care professionals must evaluate patients who do not follow recommendations for tests, lab work, follow–up appointments and specialist referrals. These patients often experience chronic and acute issues that need to be identified for treatment. Physicians should prepare themselves and their staff to work successfully with them. Learn how to protect yourself and your practice from the unintended consequences of patients who are noncompliant and nonadherent CLICK HERE JUN 16, 2026: Kimpton Sawyer Hotel in Sacramento, sponsored by CMA, ‘Annual CME Provider Conference’. Register before May 15 and save $50! Standard registration is $300. This educational opportunity provides valuable strategies and insights to improving your CME program, and an opportunity to connect with Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education leadership and California Medical Association staff along with other accredited CME providers CLICK HERE JUN 19, 2026: 8a-12:30p, sponsored by Riverside County Medical Association, ‘38th Annual Virtual Conference on Physician Wellness’. $199 Registration, $50 for residents/medical students. Medical staff leaders are increasingly faced with difficult questions: When does behavior require action? How do you intervene without overreaching? How do you balance compassion with compliance? This event will help leaders navigate these moments with clarity, structure, and confidence. Through expert–led sessions and integrated case discussion, learn practical guidance for managing complex physician issues before they escalate CLICK HERE AUG 13, 2026: 12:15-1:15pm, FREE Webinar for Members and Non–Members, sponsored by CMA and The Doctors Company, ‘Managing Challenging Patient Interactions’. Providers often face challenging patients in their practice. Patient, physician and office staff can complicate their care management. Discover strategies to support positive communication among providers and patients, and reduce the emergence of challenging behaviors altogether. Learn communication and self–awareness skills to convert an unproductive encounter into a successful one CLICK HERE OCT 8, 2026: 12:15-1:15pm, FREE Webinar for Members and Non–Members, sponsored by CMA and The Doctors Company, ‘Best Practices — Documenting Disruptive Patient Behavior’. Disruptive patient encounters create undue stress on physicians and their staff, threaten an environment of patient safety and divert valuable resources. Patients who push the limits of appropriate behavior cause health care workers anxiety, stress, personal and professional isolation plus diminished coping strategies. Learn to address the behavior through a lens inclusive of cultural issues, intrinsic bias, language and health literacy. Medical records should also reflect the patient experience and behavior in the office. Documentation of patient inappropriate or disruptive behavior is required to defend health plan grievances and successfully respond to patient complaints to the licensing boards. It should support any patient dismissal. Prepare to work successfully with disruptive patients, appropriately document their behavior, and be mindful of cultural and other issues for patients, staff and visitors CLICK HERE WHAT TO READ, LISTEN & WATCH … Podcast ‘What the Health?’ Abortion Pills, the Budget, and RFK, Jr LISTEN HERE Alzheimer’s Project Clinical Roundtable Free On–Demand CME Webinar Series on Dementia WATCH HERE Champions for Health & TDC’s Free On–Demand CME Webinar Series ‘Innovations and Smart Approaches in Safe Prescibing’ to Help Fulfill DEA Training Requirements (Modules 1–5) WATCH HERE SDCMS Video Archive: View our FREE digital catalog of videos & webinars WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Are You Ready for the New California Laws? WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: The Impact of a Medical Board Investigation on Your Practice WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Strategies to Enhance the Patient Experience and Reduce Your Risk WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Top Five Risks for Your Practice WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Understanding the Anatomy of a Lawsuit WATCH HERE Please Consider Supporting Our Advertisers … Thank You! Comments are closed.