CMA files amicus brief in case that could weaken physician protections from silent PPOs The California Medical Association (CMA) and nine other physician organizations filed an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court of California to review an appeals ruling that would have significant, widespread negative impact on the health care industry, undermining a California law designed to protect physicians from "silent PPOs." Robust managed health care provider networks and reasonable reimbursement for medical services are vital to ensuring adequate accessibility and the highest quality of medical care. A historical and ongoing threat to these goals is the silent PPO problem, whereby health plans unilaterally ... January 15, 2016 Managed Care Legal Advocacy, Payor Contracting, Provider Networks, Silent PPOs, Amicus Briefs 0 0 Comment Read More »
Free workshops on how standing orders can improve adult immunization rates The Immunization Action Coalition is offering four free workshops in California to help physicians improve adult immunization rates while streamlining their practices. This workshop, “Take a Stand™: Use Standing Orders to Improve Adult Immunization Rates,” is a one-stop shop to help you easily implement standing orders (“standardized procedures”) for adult immunizations in your practice. The workshops will be held on January 19 in San Francisco, January 20 in Sacramento, January 22 in Los Angeles and January 23 in San Diego. Standing orders authorize nurses and other appropriately trained health care personnel, ... January 15, 2016 General Public Health, Seminars, Vaccination, Immunization 0 0 Comment Read More »
Tobacco tax initiative cleared to begin collecting signatures Supporters of a plan to increase California’s tobacco tax by $2 per pack will soon begin collecting the 585,407 signatures necessary to place the initiative on the 2016 election ballot. The California Attorney General finalized the initiative's title and summary on December 15, 2015, clearing the way for the measure’s advocates to collect the needed signatures. The signatures must be submitted by June 13, 2016, in order for the initiative to qualify for the 2016 ballot. The initiative would not only raise California’s current tobacco tax of $0.87 per pack ... January 15, 2016 General Save Lives California, Tobacco, Tobacco Tax, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
Physicians invited to attend 2016 LUNG FORCE Expo in San Diego The American Lung Association (ALA) is hosting a special one-day educational event, the LUNG FORCE Expo, on April 22, 2016, in San Diego. The event will bring together patients, caregivers and advocates with leading experts to learn about the latest trends, resources and research surrounding lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and other respiratory issues. Speakers from a variety of fields will present current medical information on topics that have the most impact on those whose lives are touched by these conditions, as well as provide up-to-date medical information ... January 15, 2016 General Asthma, Chest Diseases, Public Health, American Lung Association, Lung Cancer 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA Capitol Insight: Jan. 4, 2016 CMA Capitol Insight is a biweekly column by veteran journalist Anthony York, reporting on the inner workings of the state Legislature. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Back to work The legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown are back in Sacramento, taking up much of the unfinished business of the 2015 legislative year, and with a few new initiatives in store. The action begins in earnest later this week, when Brown releases his state budget plan. With state revenues still strong, the dynamics of the state budget fight are familiar: Democrats will be pushing for expanded spending on ... January 15, 2016 General Capitol Insight, Anthony York 0 0 Comment Read More »
Registration Now Open for IMQ/PACE Stepping Up To Leadership Training Program REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! If you’re a Department Chair, Chief of Staff, Committee Chair, or in any active position on a medical staff, you don’t want to miss the upcoming Stepping Up to Leadership conference. This is a great chance to network with colleagues and enhance the practical skills you need to succeed! The Stepping Up to Leadership program is widely recognized as the “go to” course for acquiring knowledge and skills to successfully lead a medical staff. In addition to interactive training in communicating and handling disruptive or impaired individuals, ... January 12, 2016 General Institute for Medical Quality (IMQ), Stepping Up to Leadership 0 0 Comment Read More »
Nominating Committee to Meet January 20, 2016 Submit nominations for SBCMS Board of Directors and District II representation by January 19, 2016. The San Bernardino County Medical Society Nominating Committee will meet January 20, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at the SBCMS office to nominate candidates for each elective office on the SBCMS Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and for delegates and alternate delegates to the California Medical Association. These positions begin July 1, 2016. One, two and three year terms are available, to be determined. SBCMS members are invited to submit nominations to the Nominating Committee as soon ... January 6, 2016 General SBCMS Board of Directors, CMA Delegation, Nominationgs 0 0 Comment Read More »
"Doctors for Climate Health" campaign seeking Spanish-speaking physicians The American Lung Association (ALA) is looking for Spanish-speaking physicians to act as lung health spokespersons for its “Doctors for Climate Health” campaign. This campaign is dedicated to reminding policymakers and the public that clean air saves lives and money. Lethal air pollutants contribute to health emergencies that send people to hospitals, as well as to catastrophic climate change. Air pollution costs Californians $1 billion in asthma hospitalizations each year. Approximately 7,300 Californians die prematurely each year due to polluted air. At least 75 percent of pollution in the state ... December 21, 2015 General Climate Change, Doctors for Climate Health, Lung Cancer, American Lung Association 0 0 Comment Read More »
Patient resources: How to help reinforce New Year's resolutions to quit smoking The American Lung Association (ALA) is offering resources and advice for physicians to help patients who may be considering quitting smoking for the new year. Available resources available tips on phone counseling, self-help booklets, and online or in-person support groups. The ALA says it can take several attempts at quitting before someone is completely smoke free, but every smoker can quit with the proper support. Research shows the number of quit attempts is positively correlated with quitting. The ALA also offers a Freedom From Smoking® online program, through which participants learn ... December 21, 2015 General Public Health, Smoking, Smoking Cessation, American Lung Association 0 0 Comment Read More »
Become a Friend of the Foundation today and take advantage of a year-end tax deduction The California Medical Association (CMA) Foundation invites you to join its mission to improve the health of people throughout California. For over 50 years, the Foundation has been working to improve individual and community health by providing a vital link between physicians and their communities. By launching groundbreaking efforts, such as tobacco education in the mid-1990s, the CMA Foundation has centered itself as a leader in improving the health of Californians and highlighting the great work physicians do in their practices and for their communities. Every dollar of your donation ... December 21, 2015 General Network of Ethnic Physician Organizations, Public Health, CMA Foundation, Medical Students 0 0 Comment Read More »
