NYCU December 9, 2025 December 10, 2025 Advocacy, CMA, MAHA, Medicare, Practice Management, Public Health, Regulations, SDCMS, Trump Administration, Vaccines 0 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2025 PHYSICIANS: Sadly, there is more irresponsible vaccine policy coming from the federal government. On Friday, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to end the universal hepatitis B birth dose. California neonatologist Dr. Valencia Walker says since CDC started recommending the vaccine in 1991, #hepB infections in kids dropped from approximately 18,000 cases per year to roughly 20 cases per year. California Medical Association (CMA) President Rene Bravo, MD, issued the following statement on this disappointing change in policy: “Today’s ACIP vote is a profound setback for child health in America. As a pediatrician and on behalf of the California Medical Association, I am deeply concerned that abandoning the universal hepatitis B birth–dose recommendation and recommending new tests before receiving all doses dismantles a policy that has protected infants for more than 30 years — with no new evidence to justify the change. Before universal vaccination began in 1991, nearly 18,000 U.S. children were infected with hepatitis B each year, half during childbirth; since then, we have seen a 99% reduction in childhood infections because the vaccine is safe, effective, and reliably delivered at birth. This decision ignores how devastating — and entirely preventable — hepatitis B truly is, and it threatens infants whose mothers’ screening is incomplete or delayed and children who may be exposed in their communities. It also casts a pall over good science and sound public–health policy, sowing more doubt and fear among parents who look to their physicians for trustworthy guidance. We are, in effect, dismantling an intervention that has worked for decades and could help us eradicate hepatitis B — and we are doing so for no legitimate reason.” CONSTITUENT ALERT | LOCAL WATER DISTRICT SCHEDULES VOTE TO STOP COMMUNITY WATER FLUORIDATION The Olivenhain Municipal Water District (OMWD) is taking up a staff recommendation on January 21st to discontinue community water fluoridation. Fluoridation is one of the most effective, equitable, and evidence–based public health measures available to prevent tooth decay and improve overall oral health. We have seen firsthand the difference fluoridated water makes in reducing cavities, especially among children and underserved populations. OMWD serves approximately 87,000 customers in Encinitas, Carlsbad, San Diego, Solana Beach, and neighboring communities. If you live in these areas, please reach out to the OMWD Board and share your concerns. You can contact them by phone at (760) 632–4648 or by email: mhahn@olivenhain.com for Matthew Hahn, President Nealmeyersforwater@gmail.com for Neal Meyers, Vice President cguerin@olivenhain.com for Christy Guerin, Secretary elanfried@olivenhain.com for Ebin Lanfried, Director Member smaloni@olivenhain.com for Scott Maloni. Treasurer PLEASE REMEMBER TO FOLLOW SDCMS ON INSTAGRAM — sdcms1870 SDCMS is on Facebook, Twitter (X), and Linkedin. Now you can follow San Diego County Medical Society on Instagram at sdcms1870. We post regularly on all four social media platforms so please stay up to date on the latest SDCMS developments and CMA/SDCMS policy actions, health care news or continuing education opportunities by checking our social media. As always, let me know if you have any questions! Paul Hegyi, CEO WHAT TO KNOW … Cancer is Surging, Bringing a Debate About Whether to Look for It CLICK HERE Aetna Provides Prior Authorization Bundles for Specific Conditions CLICK HERE Scoop: Senate GOP Chairs Circulate Health Plan as Clock Ticks on ACA Subsidies CLICK HERE Trump Asks RFK Jr. to ‘Fast Track’ Vaccine Schedule Review CLICK HERE Insurance Coverage of Hepatitis B Vaccine Won’t Change, Industry and Officials Say CLICK HERE Republicans Push High Deductible Plans and Health Savings Accounts CLICK HERE ‘Sort of Blackmail’: Billions in Rural Health Funding Hinge on States Passing Trump–Backed Policies CLICK HERE Rural America Relies on Foreign Doctors. Trump’s Visa Fee Shuts Them Out CLICK HERE California Urges Newborn Hepatitis B Shots in Defiance of Federal Shift CLICK HERE WHAT TO DO … DEC 17, 2025: 12:15–1:15pm, FREE Webinar for Members and Non–Members, Sponsored by CMA, ‘Managing Medicare in 2026’. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the Final Rule for Calendar Year 2026. Get an overview of the most significant revisions to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) impacting CY2026 and beyond. This session helps providers and healthcare professionals prepare for the upcoming changes, ensuring continued compliance and maximum reimbursement CLICK HERE JAN 27, 2026: 12:15–1:15pm, FREE Webinar for Members and their Staff, $99 for Non–Members, sponsored by CMA, ‘New Laws Affecting Physicians 2026’. This webinar will discuss the new 2026 laws that are affecting physicians and their practices, highlight pending health legislation and explain CMA’s legal resources available to members. Featuring CMA Senior Legal Counsel Sheirin Ghoddoucy, with a focus on CMA’s legal and legislative advocacy, managed care, and provider reimbursement. For free CMA member staff registration, email events@cmadocs.org with your physician’s CA Medical License number to receive a promo code CLICK HERE JAN 29, 2026: 12–1pm, FREE Webinar for Members, $35 for Non–Members, sponsored by CMA, ‘Words Matter: Removing Biased and Stigmatizing Language from Clinical Communication’. Clinical communication has the power to uplift patients or leave them feeling unheard. Address the critical impact of stigmatizing clinical language that casts doubt on patient experiences, implies blame, or defines patients by their conditions. Biased language towards patients with diabetes, obesity, substance use disorders, and chronic pain can increase patient shame, reduce treatment engagement, influence provider perceptions, and create lasting negative electronic medical records. This webinar will enhance your awareness of stigmatizing language patterns while providing practical tools for clinicians to identify and replace biased terminology with neutral alternatives. Reduce healthcare disparities through more respectful, person–centered communication. CME Credit Available CLICK HERE MAR 5-7, 2026: 8am daily, Catamaran Resort, San Diego, Sponsored by UCSD SOM, ‘13th Annual Essentials & Advances in Apheresis Therapies Conference’. Learn practical, multi–disciplinary up–to–date insights how apheresis is shaping care across medicine. Featuring debates including lipoprotein apheresis vs. plasma exchange in FSGS, controversies surrounding plasma exchange in ANCA–associated vasculitis, plus new data comparing high– versus standard–volume plasma exchange in acute liver failure. Review emerging topics like plasma exchange for longevity and microplastics exposure, as well as advances in gene therapy, photopheresis, immunotherapy–related complications, and transplant desensitization/rejection. CME Credit Available CLICK HERE APR 8, 2026: 8am, State Capitol Building, Sacramento, hosted by CMA, ‘52nd Annual Legislative Advocacy Day’. California Medical Association consistently brings together more than 400 physician and medical student leaders from all specialties and modes of practice. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with legislators on priority health care issues. Gain hands–on experience while learning the nuts and bolts of advocating for both your patients and your profession CLICK HERE WHAT TO READ, LISTEN & WATCH … Podcast ‘What the Health?’ What Do Republicans Really Want On Health Care? 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.