SBCMS In The News (featured story in Desert Charities News) August 20, 2025 General 0 VIEW STORY ON DESERT CHARITIES NEWS WEBSITE OR READ BELOW San Bernardino County Medical Society Supports Physicians in Expanding Vital Patient Access to Care by Alison Elsner It’s a well-known reality that without a solid workforce of trained physicians and medical providers, our society’s health and well-being would be severely compromised. Enter the San Bernardino County Medical Society (SBCMS), headquartered in Redlands, California, a professional organization that represents physicians in San Bernardino County and plays a vital role in supporting the medical community and advocating for public health. SBCMS is one of over thirty component medical societies that serves as a local subsidiary of the 50,000-member California Medical Association (CMA), which plays a multifaceted role in shaping healthcare policy and advocating for physicians and patients across the state. The CMA is currently the second largest state medical association in the country. Each spring, SBCMS takes two dozen medical students and residents to the CMA Annual Legislative Day in Sacramento for an immersive visit with elected officials, and throughout the year, the medical society hosts events that are valuable elements of students’ and residents’ preparation to become caring, compassionate physicians. In addition, the society’s affiliated non-profit presents the prestigious Ronald P. Bangasser, M.D. Medical Student Scholarship each year to an exemplary regional medical student. SBCMS works closely with its sister organization, Riverside County Medical Association (RCMA), which envelops physicians and medical practices throughout the Coachella Valley. Together, these organizations and their leadership and members actively sponsor and support legislation aimed at improving healthcare delivery and protecting the integrity of medical practices. The objective is ultimately to increase access to care for patients in a national environment where health care has become more unaffordable and excludes certain categories of patients, putting lives at risk. The mission of SBCMS is to promote the science and art of medicine; support the care and well-being of patients; advocate for the protection of public health; advance the medical profession; and ensure equitable access to care. Founded in 1878, SBCMS is one of the oldest county medical societies in California, representing 3,200 physician members, including medical doctors (MDs), doctors of osteopathy (DOs), residents, and medical students. Membership in SBCMS includes automatic membership in the California Medical Association (CMA), amplifying its advocacy power. SBCMS, in partnership with RCMA and CMA, have been influential in the passage of Proposition 35 to permanently increase physician reimbursement rates for the treatment of Medi-Cal (Medicaid in California) patients. This ongoing effort to increase rates to some degree of parity to Medicare rates (still woefully low for physicians trying to maintain a solo practice and for maternity wards trying to remain open for low income mothers and babies especially in rural regions of our county and state) has been closely aligned with the valuable work of IEHP (Inland Empire Health Plan) and Molina Healthcare and their visionary leaders. SBCMS also supports physicians with graduate medical education loan repayment programs to alleviate the severe (and escalating) physician shortage in California; medical malpractice solutions; relief through claims assistance with insurance companies; access to a legal law library; partnership in hospital medical staff activities and leadership; and robust education and training programs cover areas such as population health, compliance with EHR (electronic health records) regulations, connecting primary care physicians with specialists, and ongoing sessions regarding how physicians and hospitals can navigate the myriad of destructive outcomes for massive Medicaid and Medicare cuts related to the recent passage of H.R. 1. Other priority policy issues that offer powerful opportunities to shape healthcare policy at local, state, and national levels include a current bill package for private equity in healthcare, Artificial intelligence regulation, increased maternity care access, physician workforce expansion, reform of prior authorization processes and numerous others. Together, SBCMS and CMA are critical partners in the delivery of healthcare in California. Their forceful work reflects the appreciation for our super-hero physicians, healers who are committed to caring for valued patients throughout our state and beyond. Comments are closed.
