The Southern California Physician, March, 2002

Board Briefs
January 28, 2002

Board members observed a moment of silence in memory of former Alliance President Honey Jordan.

Board members reviewed and approved the Nominating Committee's report for 2002/2003.

Dr. Gnanadev reported that the most significant agenda item at the CMA Board of Trustees meeting was discussion on AB1600. There was considerable debate as to whether CMA should withdraw its support of the legislation as well as discussion with CMA's legislative staff who fear CMA's relationship with many politicians would be compromised if support is withdrawn. However, the Board of Trustees ultimately decided to continue support. Dr. Gnanadev noted that AB 1600 still faces opposition before it comes to a vote, and whether the Governor will sign it is unknown. Dr. Gnanadev encouraged the board members to take and review the material containing the language of AB 1600 as it will be considered by the Legislature in January 2002.

Dr. Gnanadev also provided information on the Emergency and Trauma Services Initiative. The California Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, the California Healthcare Association, the California Medical Association and the California Professional Firefighters have formed a coalition and on January 18 filed with the Attorney General an initiative on the November 2002 ballot that they believe will help stabilize the state's ailing emergency care system. The initiative would add surcharges to traffic and drunk driving penalties that would be spent on hospitals, emergency and trauma physicians, and on-call specialists. It is anticipated that the revenue would raise an estimated $300 million and offset the more than $400 million in losses to the state's emergency and trauma systems. The initiative will help ensure these services continue to be available to Californians. Dr. Gnanadev said that the revenue would be distributed as follows: 64.5% to hospitals, 32.5% to emergency and trauma physicians and on-call specialists, and 3% to firefighters and paramedics.

Secretary/Treasurer Edward Hess, M.D. presented the second quarter financial report for the period ending December 31, 2001. SBCMS' total revenue is $12,023 over budget. Total expenses before depreciation are $21,904 under budget. Dr. Hess was pleased to report that SBCMS ends the second quarter of the fiscal year in the black with a net surplus after depreciation of $33,927.

Dr. Bradley Gilbert, Medical Director of Inland Empire Health Plan, reported that IEHP membership is 222,081. Medi-Cal enrollment is 201,341 and Health Families enrollment is 20,740. Governor Davis will likely fund the Healthy Families Adult program.

In response to a concern expressed at a previous Board meeting concerning IEHP payment of unpaid claims for physician services provided by IEHP Western Alliance Physician's Association (WAPA) members, Dr. Gilbert referenced IEHP Executive Director Richard Bruno's letter of December 11, 2001. The IEHP Governing Board authorized a total payment in excess of $2.4 million for claims left unpaid by WAPA. This total includes over $1.4 million for claims received, but not paid, by WAPA from February through August and over $1 million for claims for physician services in the months of August and September. Dr. Gilbert said that the issue of unpaid claims will go to the IEHP Governing Board in March because of physician concerns that there are additional claims that remain unpaid. Board members agreed to write a letter encouraging the IEHP Board of Governors to reimburse physicians for pre-August claims.

Dr. Kenneth Lane provided an update on physician reimbursement from the Tobacco Settlement and an overview of the final report that will be presented to the County Board of Supervisors at their meeting on February 5. Following the meeting, San Bernardino County will notify physicians. Dr. Lane will work with Ms. Stratton to prepare a letter from SBCMS that will be sent to SBCMS members and nonmembers. Nonmembers will be informed that their opportunity for reimbursement is the result of SBCMS' efforts. Dr. Lane said that the Board of Supervisors deserves credit for putting $250,000 into tobacco and indigent healthcare reimbursement. Board members agreed with his suggestion that the President, President-Elect, and Past-President present a citation of appreciation to each member of the Board of Supervisors during their meeting on Tuesday, February 5.

AMA Alternate Delegate Victor Ching, M.D. provided a copy of his report detailing the highlights of the 2001 AMA Interim meeting and the resolutions of the California Delegation. He encouraged board members to read the report at their leisure.

Dr. Shankar announced that the CMA Board of Trustees has selected SBCMS member Horace D. Orr, M.D. as the 2002 recipient of CMA's Frederick K.M. Plessner Memorial Award. The Plessner Award honors a CMA member who best exemplifies the practice and ethics of a rural physician and is the highest honor bestowed by the CMA during its Annual Session. The award will be presented to Dr. Orr on Sunday, February 24, 2002 at the Hilton Anaheim. Dr. Shankar encouraged all board members to attend the presentation.

Dr. Shankar also announced that Dr. Ron Bangasser will receive AMA's "Pride in the Profession" Award on March 10th during the AMA National Leadership Academy. The award honors physicians who bring a sense of pride to the medical profession and whose actions promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.

Board members were encouraged to attend the 2002 CMA Annual "Legislative Leadership Day" in Sacramento on April 2, 2002. SBCMS staff has made all arrangements, and the deadline for reservations is February 15.

Dr. Shankar also encouraged board members to submit their nominations for SBCMS' Annual Outstanding Physician and Citizen awards before the April 15 deadline.

Board members approved a proposal from the County District Attorney's office asking that SBCMS work with the Medical Society to present joint training sessions to San Bernardino County physicians and hospital emergency rooms regarding the issues of elder abuse - how to identify possible abuses under Penal Code Section 368, and how to properly report such suspicions under Penal Code Sections 11160 and 11162, and Welfare and Institutions Code Section 15630. Dr. Randolph said there would be three sessions: one each in the High Desert, West End and San Bernardino. UC Davis may provide the speakers and SBCMS will promote the sessions through our publications. Board members also discussed the possibility of presenting the sessions by video conferencing on the Society's web site. They will also ask the SBCMS Medical-Legal Committee co-chair Bryan Reid to author an article for the SBCMS section of the Southern California Physician.

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