Physicians descend on Sacramento to lobby a package of bills to increase access to health care As part of the California Medical Association’s (CMA) 40th Annual Legislative Leadership Conference, more than 400 physicians, medical students and CMA Alliance members have come to Sacramento today to lobby their legislative leaders as champions for medicine and their patients. They will be lobbying a package of CMA-sponsored bills that will increase access to health care throughout the state. The bills include: AB 1805 (Skinner) restores a 10 percent cut made to California’s Medicaid program (Medi-Cal) in 2011. Medi-Cal reimbursement rates are among the lowest in the nation, often reimbursing providers below the cost of care. Many Medi-Cal patients have difficulty finding providers able to care for them. As millions of new patients enter the health care delivery system, reimbursement rates must be sustainable so that patients have real access to care. AB 1759 (Pan) extends through 2015 and beyond the reimbursement increase for certain Medi-Cal primary care providers, currently mandated under the Affordable Care Act, but set to expire on December 31, 2014. AB 1771 (V. Manuel Perez) increases access to care, especially in underserved areas, by requiring health insurance companies licensed in the State of California to pay contracted physicians for telephone and electronic patient management telehealth services. AB 2458 (Bonilla) creates additional residency positions to train very much needed primary care physicians by establishing the framework to administer grants to medical education residency programs at hospitals and teaching health centers. AB 1805, 1759 and 2458 are being heard in Assembly Health Committee Tuesday, April 22 at 1:30 p.m. April 23, 2014 General State Legislative Advocacy, Advocacy, Legislative Leadership Day 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA's annual "lobby day" is April 22 The 40th annual California Medical Association (CMA) Legislative Leadership Conference is just around the corner! The conference will take place Tuesday, April 22, at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento, just three blocks from the State Capitol and across the street from CMA headquarters. It's not too late to rsvp! This is a unique event for California physicians and is free of charge to all CMA members. Plan to join more than 400 physicians, medical students and CMA Alliance members who will be coming to Sacramento to lobby their legislative leaders as champions for medicine and their patients. For more information, see the agenda or download the full event packet. Contact: Yna Shimabukuro, (916) 444-5532 or yshimabukuro@cmanet.org. April 16, 2014 General Legislative Leadership Day, Grassroots Advocacy 0 0 Comment Read More »
Legislative Leadership Conference coming April 22 Mark your 2014 calendars now for the 40th annual California Medical Association (CMA) Legislative Leadership Conference. The conference will take place at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento, just three blocks from the State Capitol and across the street from CMA headquarters. This is a unique event for California physicians and is free of charge to all CMA members. Plan to join more than 400 physicians, medical students and CMA Alliance members who will be coming to Sacramento to lobby their legislative leaders as champions for medicine and their patients. Prior to the conference members will receive webinar training on legislation and policy affecting the practice of medicine. Set April 22 aside to become an advocate for your patients and colleagues! To register contact Lucy Garcia at 951-787-7700 or email Lgarcia@sbcms.org. January 27, 2014 General Legislative Leadership Day, State Legislation, Advocacy 0 0 Comment Read More »
