All CMA-sponsored bills survive key committee deadline All of the bills sponsored by the California Medical Association (CMA) this year have survived a key deadline, passing out of policy committees so that they can continue through the legislative process. Measures that did not receive committee approval were shelved for the year. More details about CMA's sponsored bill package are below: AB 2121 (Gonzalez) – Responsible Beverage Service Training This bill seeks to help reduce alcohol service to intoxicated individuals and to reduce drunk driving by requiring establishments that serve alcohol to employ servers and managers who have received responsible ... April 28, 2016 CMA, General Emergency Services, State Legislative Advocacy, Alcohol, Physician Wellness 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA Capitol Insight: April 26, 2016 CMA Capitol Insight is a biweekly column by veteran journalist Anthony York, reporting on the inner workings of the state Legislature. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Legislative Scramble Last week was a frantic one inside the Capitol as lawmakers faced a key deadline to pass bills out of policy committee. Measures that did not receive committee approval last week were shelved for the year. A number of major proposals lived to fight another day, but many efforts were left on the prominent pile of abandoned bill ideas that accumulates each and every year. Among ... April 28, 2016 CMA, General CMA Capitol Insight, Anthony York, State Legislation 0 0 Comment Read More »
Physician leaders converge on the Capitol for CMA's 42nd annual lobby day Over 400 California Medical Association (CMA) member physicians, medical students and physician supporters gathered in Sacramento on April 13 to bring the voice of medicine to legislators. During CMA's 42nd annual Legislative Advocacy Day, physicians discussed the many threats – and opportunities – facing the practice of medicine in California. The group also headed over to the Capitol in white coats to speak to their legislators about critical legislative issues affecting the practice of medicine in California. Among the issues discussed with legislators were: expanded training opportunities for primary care ... April 18, 2016 CMA, General , Legislative Advocacy, Grassroots Advocacy 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA council reports now available for comment At the close of the California Medical Association’s (CMA) 2015 House of Delegates, new governance reforms took effect. One of the most significant changes to the bylaws allows for the submission of resolutions for debate and discussion by members throughout the year. CMA opened its second quarter resolutions for online comment in February. On March 18, the close of the comment period, member input was used to inform the Council on Science and Public Health, Council on Medical Services, and Council on Health Professions and Quality of Care, which then ... April 4, 2016 CMA House of Delegates 0 0 Comment Read More »
We want to hear from you! Annual member phone survey The California Medical Association (CMA) will be calling physician members starting in late March to understand the priorities and opinions of our membership. “We do this every year to improve CMA member value and understand what our advocacy priorities should be,” said Mike Steenburgh, CMA vice president of membership, communications and component relations. “We have found the feedback helpful for staying aligned with our physician members’ needs.” Conducted by a third-party researcher, the phone survey is a random, representative sample of members and allows for anonymous responses. Contact: CMA member service center, ... March 31, 2016 CMA CMA Membership 0 0 Comment Read More »
2016 Leadership Academy announces dynamic new education tracks The 2016 Western Health Care Leadership Academy is offering five new educational tracks that will provide attendees with a customized conference experience that is most relevant to their unique circumstances. Attendees can follow one track, or mix and match for a personalized education experience. This year's tracks include: Track A: Running Your Practice Geared toward practice and office managers and solo or small group physicians, this track offers important information on how to make your practice successful in an ever-shifting health care climate. Track B: Future Trends and Health Care Innovation This track ... March 31, 2016 CMA, General Continuing Medical Education, Physician Leadership, Western Health Care Leadership Academy, Conferences 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA files amicus brief in support of hospital medical staff self-governance The California Medical Association (CMA) has filed an amicus brief in support of the medical staff at Tulare Regional Medical Center in its lawsuit against the hospital alleging violations of state laws when the hospital terminated the entire medical staff and its duly elected officers. The hospital has recognized a replacement medical staff formed by a group of seven physicians led by the vice chairman of the hospital board. This group presented itself as a newly formed medical staff after it selected new bylaws and named officers to the medical ... March 31, 2016 CMA Hospital Medical Staff, Legal Advocacy, Self-Governance, Amicus Briefs 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA now accepting testimony for the first batch of year-round resolutions At the close of the California Medical Association (CMA) 2015 House of Delegates last month, new governance reforms took effect. One of the most significant changes to the bylaws allow for the submission of resolutions for debate and discussion throughout the year, rather than just once a year as was previously the case. This will allow CMA to be more nimble and effective in making decisions on critical issues that are important to physicians. CMA members are wasting no time availing themselves of the new year-round resolutions process. CMA has ... November 20, 2015 CMA House of Delegates, CMA Policy 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA installs infectious disease specialist Steven E. Larson, M.D., as 2015-16 president At the California Medical Association’s (CMA) 2015 House of Delegates meeting in Anaheim, Steven E. Larson, M.D., was installed as the association’s 2015-16 president. “It is an enormous honor to serve the 40,000 plus members of CMA as their president,” said Dr. Larson. “As we face some of the most rapidly changing times in health care that this country has ever seen, I look forward to working with the county medical societies and my colleagues across the state in unifying together as one voice to tackle whatever obstacles lie ahead.” Dr. ... October 31, 2015 CMA Executive Committee, House of Delegates, CMA Elections 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA delegates urge the state to restore public health funding On Friday, October 16th, the California Medical Association (CMA) House of Delegates meeting in Anaheim voted unanimously to urge the State of California to restore public health funding. The resolution (Resolution 112-15) calls on CMA to work with state health and legislative officials, through the state budget process, to develop a plan to repair California’s public health infrastructure and funding for vital prevention services that have been eliminated or drastically reduced since 2007-08. It is estimated that over $226.7 million per year has been lost in California Department of Public ... October 31, 2015 CMA, General House of Delegates, Public Health, California State Budget 0 0 Comment Read More »
