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NYCU July 22, 2025



SDCMS News You Can Use
 
TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2025

Paul HegyiPHYSICIANS: Some good news from Sacramento. Two California Medical Association–sponsored bills aimed at protecting patients and preserving physician autonomy are advancing through the Legislature. Senate Bill 351 by Senator Christopher Cabaldon [SB–351] would bolster California’s ban on the corporate practice of medicine by granting the Attorney General an enforcement tool to investigate and bring action against private equity groups that unlawfully influence the practice of medicine.

Assembly Bill 489 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta [AB–489] protects Californians against artificial intelligence (AI) systems falsely claiming to be licensed medical professional by allowing regulators to enforce title protections against companies deploying or developing such systems. Both bills have cleared committees in the other Legislative Chamber, a very positive indicator of their likelihood of passage.

In addition, SDCMS' own President, Dr. Preeti Mehta recently participated in a press conference in support of Assembly Bill 1005 by Assemblymember Laurie Davies [AB–1005], in partnership with the California Coalition for Children’s Safety Health, to provide drowning prevention education in schools and provide swim lessons for low–income children across California. We are optimistic about this terrific bill’s chances as well.

REMINDER | NEW CONSUMER PROTECTIONS NOW IN EFFECT FOR MEDICAL DEBT CONTRACTS
 
A key provision of California’s new medical debt law, SB–1061 (Limon, 2024), is now in effect. As of July 1, 2025, any contract that creates a medical debt must include specific consumer protection language. Contracts that do not include the required disclosure will be considered void and unenforceable.

This follows an earlier provision of the law, which took effect January 1, 2025, and prohibits physicians and their billing partners from reporting medical debt to consumer credit reporting agencies.

SB–1061 represents a major shift in how medical debt is managed in California, with significant implications for billing practices and financial disclosures. To help physician practices comply, California Medical Association (CMA) has published a fact sheet that outlines the law’s requirements, offers compliance tips, and provides links to updated sample forms in the CMA Health Law Library.

SAVE THE DATE | NEXTPHYSICIAN SOCIAL & MIXERIS OCTOBER 10TH AT UCSD IDA & CECIL GREEN FACULTY CLUB
 
We had another great turnout and a fun time at our Summer ‘Physician Social & Mixer’ at Stone Brewing in Liberty Station. Food and drink were delicious and the company was excellent on a beautiful Summer evening.

So save the date for our Fall Mixer on October 10th, from 5:308:00pm, at the UC San Diego Ida & Cecil Green Faculty Club. Come mingle, socialize and network with your fellow San Diego County physicians — SDCMS members and non–members are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Complimentary light appetizers and hosted wine and craft beer will be provided. This event is open EXCLUSIVELY to physicians and their guests and space is limited, so reservations are required. You can REGISTER HERE. Contact Jen Ohmstede with any questions about the event at JOhmstede@SDCMS.org.

As always, let me know if you have any questions! Paul Hegyi, CEO

 WHAT TO KNOW …
 
CAHAN ALERT Health Advisory: Update on Bicillin® L–A Availability and New Recall  CLICK HERE
 
Opinion: We’re Already Seeing a Resurgence of Vaccine–Preventable Diseases in the ER. Here’s How You Can Help  CLICK HERE
 
Health Insurers are Denying More Drug Claims, Data Shows  CLICK HERE
 
Surprise Medical Bills Were Supposed to be a Thing of the Past. Surprise — They’re Not  CLICK HERE
 
Democratic Attorney Generals Sue Trump Administration to Block ObamaCare Changes  CLICK HERE
 
ACA Health Insurance Will Cost the Average Person 75% More Next Year, Research Shows  CLICK HERE
 
Insurers and Customers Brace for a Double Whammy to ObamaCare Premiums  CLICK HERE
 
F.D.A. Panel to Reassess Hormone Therapy Warnings  CLICK HERE
AKW Medical
 WHAT TO DO …
 
AUG 13, 2025: 9am-3pm, SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, Sacramento, CA, a complimentary event, ‘Medical Group Advocacy Symposium’ for executives, physician leaders, and decision–makers in physician organizations, medical groups and health systems. Help shape the future of California health care. California’s health care industry is at a pivotal moment, demanding collaborative efforts to reshape the landscape of health care access, affordability and quality. Be part of the conversation to drive positive change. We’ll bring together passionate industry leaders and health care professionals committed to making a difference. As always, the hallmark of the symposium is a casual platform to convene, discuss pertinent advocacy and regulatory concerns, and network with other medical group executives  CLICK HERE
 
SEP 18, 2025: 12:15-1:15pm, FREE Webinar for Members and Non–Members, sponsored by CMA and The Doctors Company, ‘Managing Adverse Events in the Office Practice’. Managing adverse patient safety events and unexpected health care outcomes in a medical office setting can be challenging due to the uniqueness of the situation, or lack of standard processes, resources, or trained staff. Learn about the most frequent types of claims and risk issues arising in outpatient care. This session provides a framework for responding to an adverse patient safety event or unexpected health care outcome in an office practice, including transparent communication and disclosure to the patient and their family, documentation of the event, and creating a culture of safety to learn from these unexpected events  CLICK HERE
 
OCT 10, 2025: 5:30–8:00pm, UC San Diego Ida & Cecil Green Faculty Club, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, ‘SDCMS Physician Social & Mixer’. Please note this event is open exclusively to physicians and their guests and space is limited so rsvps are required. SDCMS members and non–members are welcome and encouraged to attend. Complimentary light appetizers and hosted wine and craft beer will be provided  CLICK HERE
 
OCT 25, 2025: 8am, Tecolote Shores South Mission Bay, sponsored by Head for the Cure Foundation, ‘2nd Annual Head for the Cure 5K Run/Walk San Diego’. To raise awareness and funds for brain tumor research. Join or contribute to the effort by visiting the Team Dave! UCSD page created in honor of the late Dr. David Bazzo, former SDCMS President. Please support this worthwhile cause in Dr. Bazzo’s memory. For full details about the event  CLICK HERE
 WHAT TO READ, LISTEN & WATCH  …
 
Podcast ‘What the Health?’ The Senate Saves PEPFAR Funding — For Now  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 Aware and Prepared for New California Laws?  WATCH HERE
 
SDCMS Webinar: Managing the Noncompliant and Nonadherent Patient  WATCH HERE
 
SDCMS Webinar: Physician Financial Wellness (Part 1)  WATCH HERE
 
SDCMS Webinar: Physician Financial Wellness (Part 2)  WATCH HERE
 
SDCMS Webinar: Will Your Documentation Defend You  WATCH HERE
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