SBCMS President Jay E. Shankar, M.D. welcomed new 2002/2003 Board and Delegation members Robert Rentschler, M.D., Ingrid Blomquist, M.D., and Guillermo Valenzuela, M.D. and expressed appreciation to departing members Drs. James Bartley, Sami Nazzal, and Theresa Siefken.

Dr. Sam Wilson gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding SB 1950 and CMA’s recommendations for Medical Board reform. Dr. Wilson suggested that board members encourage other physicians to become involved and contact their legislators. SBCMS staff will email the PowerPoint presentation to Board members who want to share it with colleagues and at the same time, talk about what organized medicine is doing for them. Dr. Bangasser reported that CMA President Dr. John Whitelaw is spending considerable time on this issue and has been meeting with the bill’s author, Senator Liz Figueroa. It is a very complex issue and involves almost every aspect of physicians’ practices. At this point SB 1950 has tremendous momentum, but we can minimize its damage.

Dr. Shankar accepted a Certificate of Excellence for SBCMS’ commitment to quality from Ms. Julia Slininger, CMRI Quality Improvement Manager. SBCMS joined CMRI in a partnership on health care improvement initiatives.

Board members reviewed a written report from Dr. Kenneth Lane listing the provider names and the amount of each reimbursement from the Tobacco Settlement Program. The total reimbursement to providers is $238,955 (100% of available funds).

Dr. Gnanadev referenced a letter from San Bernardino County Supervisor Fred Aguiar responding to the May 20, 2002 letter expressing the SBCMS Board’s concerns about the future administration of AB 75/SB 612 EMS funds. Mr. Aguiar states that the County has no intention of dismantling the Emergency Services Funds Committee and the Board of Supervisors looks forward to continue their positive working relationship with all stakeholders affected by the EMS Program.

Dr. Gnanadev said that the EMS Funds Committee had an excellent meeting on June 18 with Pamela Thompson, Risk Management Division Chief. She agreed to provide the Medical Society monthly reports on the funds’ status and to meet with the EMS Fund Committee on a quarterly basis.

Board members accepted a recommendation from the SBCMS Executive Committee to send a letter to the Board of Supervisors stating the EMS Fund Committee’s requests as follows: 1. The Risk Management Division pay claims on a quarterly basis; 2. The current procedures should be changed to allow dual submission of AB 75 and SB 612 claims to eliminate duplication and return of claims, and if the AB 75 funds are exhausted, then utilize the SB 612 funds. The letter also states that the EMS Fund Committee approved a 25 percent increase in the 2000 St. Anthony Relative Values for physicians to be effective after May 1, 2002. Physicians will be reimbursed at 50% of the rates listed.

Ms. Thompson will conduct seminars at SBCMS and also in the outlying areas of the county in order to provide more education to the physicians on how to access these funds. The funds will go back to the state if not claimed.

IEHP Assistant Medical Director Dr. Dennis de Leon announced that total IEHP membership is 237,004. Medi-Cal enrollment is 213,276 with 23,728 enrolled in the Healthy Families program. The auto assignment percentage in May was approximately 26 percent. Dr. de Leon said it appears that hospitals and physicians who contract with IEHP will see $10 million in lower payments due to Medi-Cal rate cuts, and IEHP has discussed ways to cushion that blow for physicians.

The Medi-Cal Providers Interim Payment Fund is designed to make payments to physicians, or even IOUs good at local banks, from the State of California, in the event that during July and August the state budget impasse has not been solved and there is no budget for Medi-Cal payments. IEHP participates in this fund, so contracted IPAs and physicians can be assured that they will be paid for seeing IEHP patients during this time. CMA is prepared to work on behalf of all members with local banks in case there is a budget shortfall or no budget at all.

Dr. Bangasser provided a report of the 2002 AMA House of Delegates meeting and the action taken by the AMA on the resolutions presented by the California Delegation. Riverside County Medical Association member Dr. Rebecca Patchin will run for the AMA Board of Trustees, assisted in her campaign by the California Delegation and her anesthesiology specialty society. Dr. Bangasser also reported that he met with Bill Simon, the Republican nominee for Governor. Mr. Simon has accepted an invitation from CMA’s Executive Committee to go over his views and listen to concerns. Governor Davis has not yet accepted the invitation.

Ms. Stratton announced that SBCMS and CMA will offer free 45-minute mini-consultations to address reimbursement problems for physician members and their office staff on August 14 and 15 at the SBCMS Conference Center. Appointments will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis and physicians should bring documentation of actual problems. The consultations are for members-only.

Board members agreed to cancel the July 29 Board of Directors meeting. The SBCMS audit and financial reports for the end of the year will be delayed because SBCMS Accountant, Rajni Kapoor, is on maternity leave.