CMA Responds to Governor Brown’s Budget While cost of Medi-Cal projected to increase, funding to restore provider rates untouched Sacramento — Following Governor Brown’s budget unveiling this morning, California Medical Association (CMA) president Luther Cobb, MD, released the following statement: “In both his Inaugural address earlier this week and in today’s budget unveiling, Governor Brown has acknowledged the expansion of California’s Medicaid program, Medi-Cal. While the physicians of California applaud the extension of the program to offer healthcare coverage to more patients, it remains disappointing that an increase to California’s woefully inadequate Medi-Cal provider reimbursement rates was ... January 9, 2015 CMA State Budget 0 0 Comment Read More »
Significant New California Laws of Interest to Physicians for 2015 New Health Laws 2015 The California Legislature had an active year, passing many new laws affecting healthcare. Below are highlights of the new laws likely to impact physicians in 2015 and beyond. For more details, see the California Medical Association's "Significant New California Laws of Interest to Physicians for 2015." ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION DRUG PRESCRIBING AND DISPENSING HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE HEALTHCARE COVERAGE HEALTHCARE FACILITIES AND FINANCING MEDI-CAL ... January 8, 2015 Legislation New Laws 0 0 Comment Read More »
Attend SDCMS's January 31 FREE Workshop: Preparing to Practice Resident Physicians: What are you going to do after residency? SDCMS, working with UCSD, has created a one-day workshop titled, "Preparing to Launch: Essentials to Consider for Doctors Contemplating Their Future in the Real World." Our goal: give you the information and situational awareness you need to successfully transition from preparation to practice. While primarily focused on residents, fellows, and young physicians, any SDCMS member (and their significant other) is welcome to attend this once-a-year event. This free workshop will occur in the Goldberg Auditorium at the Moores Cancer Center on Saturday, January ... January 8, 2015 Practice Management, Resident Physicians Preparing to Launch, Resident Physicians 0 0 Comment Read More »
Two Measles Cases Diagnosed in San Diego Date: January 6, 2015 Two San Diego residents were confirmed today to have measles after visiting Disneyland on December 18, 2014. The unimmunized siblings are among seven confirmed measles cases in California associated with visits to Disneyland on December 17 and 20, 2014. Because the incubation period for measles is up to 21 days, individuals who were exposed at the park may continue to present for care with symptoms that begin before January 12. An index case at Disneyland has not been identified. In addition, the ill San Diego residents may ... January 7, 2015 Public Health Measles 0 0 Comment Read More »
Physician Networking Opportunity and Mixer on Jan. 23! The San Diego County Medical Society (SDCMS) will be hosting a Physician Networking Opportunity and Mixer on Friday, January 23 from 6pm to 9pm at the private residence of one of our South Bay board representatives, conveniently located off the 125 freeway between Sharp Chula Vista and Paradise Valley hospitals. We hope that you will be able to join us! This meet and mingle event is for residents, fellows, member and nonmember physicians — with hosted beer, wine, and light appetizers provided. Please help us spread the word by forwarding this email ... January 6, 2015 Physician Socials Social 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA Capitol Insight With Anthony York CMA Capitol Insight is a biweekly column by veteran journalist Anthony York, reporting on the inner workings of the state Legislature. Hot Button Healthcare As lawmakers return to Sacramento this week, much is still to be decided about the future of healthcare reform. State legislators will deal with a number of hot-button issues in the first half of 2015, many of which will have dramatic impacts on California’s healthcare policy and potentially the future success of the Affordable Care Act. It all begins on Monday when Gov. Jerry Brown gives his inaugural ... January 5, 2015 CMA Capitol Insight 0 0 Comment Read More »
Get Insights on Patient Safety Delivered to Your Inbox SDCMS invites you to sign up for The Doctor’s Practice, a complimentary monthly newsletter brought to you by our exclusively endorsed partner, The Doctors Company. Each issue of The Doctor’s Practice features a new article or video in a simple, one-click email. These articles feature expert tips to help you reduce malpractice risk, avoid claims, and make the practice of medicine more rewarding. Sign up for this valuable publication at http://www.thedoctors.com/TheDoctorsPractice. The insightful content in The Doctor’s Practice is part of The Doctors Company’s commitment to defending, protecting, and rewarding ... December 16, 2014 Member Benefits Risk Management 0 0 Comment Read More »
Mandatory Vaccination or Masking for Healthcare Personnel The Public Health Officer, Dr. Wilma Wooten, has issued a health officer order mandating that all licensed acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, ambulatory and community clinics, and ambulance providers in San Diego County develop a program requiring that their healthcare personnel receive an annual influenza vaccination and that persons who decline to receive the vaccine be required to wear a mask while in contact with patients or working in patient care areas during the influenza season. This action, in conjunction with your ongoing efforts to provide influenza vaccine ... December 12, 2014 Flu, Influenza Influenza 0 0 Comment Read More »
Physicians: Please Spread the Word About Covered CA Open Enrollment! December 2, 2014 Dear CMA Member: Last year the California Medical Association (CMA) and many of our physician members across the state were part of the biggest expansion of health insurance coverage since Medicare 50 years ago — an expansion effort led by Covered California. California truly did make history — reducing the number of uninsured in our state by 3.4 million and reducing the rate of the uninsured from 22% to 11% (the largest decrease in the nation). California’s physicians play a vital leadership role in communicating with their patients about ... December 12, 2014 Covered California Covered California 0 0 Comment Read More »
Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (the “Cromnibus”): Summary of the Health Provisions By the American Medical Association Congress is expected to pass a bill — the “Cromnibus” — this week to continue funding of government operations. Below is a summary of key healthcare provisions contained in the bill. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees released the text of the “Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015” to fund most of the federal government through September 2015. Funding for the Department of Homeland Security will be provided under a continuing ... December 11, 2014 Healthcare Financing Cromnibus 0 0 Comment Read More »