Leading health organizations announce filing of statewide soda tax measure for 2020 Today, a ballot measure to protect public health through a state soda tax was filed for the 2020 ballot by two of California’s leading health care provider organizations – the California Medical Association (CMA), representing 43,000 California physicians, and the California Dental Association (CDA), representing 27,000 California dentists. This announcement comes four days after the multi-billion-dollar soda industry held the state of California hostage with a dangerous ballot threat that jeopardized the fiscal outlook of local governments, forcing the state to pre-empt local authority and pass an unprecedented 12-year moratorium ... July 11, 2018 CMA, General Political Advocacy, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
California's physicians proudly endorse Gavin Newsom for Governor Today, the California Medical Association (CMA) formally endorsed Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2018 bid to become California’s next governor. “California’s physicians are proud to support Gavin Newsom for Governor,” said CMA President Theodore M. Mazer, M.D. “Gavin is a lifelong champion for health care in California, and we know he will continue to fight for pragmatic solutions to our most crucial health care challenges, including working to achieve universal access and tackling our state’s physician shortage.” As Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco, Newsom worked with health care ... April 24, 2018 CMA, General Election, Political Advocacy 0 0 Comment Read More »
California Medical Association Endorses Eleni Kounalakis for California Lt. Governor Today, the California Medical Association (CMA) endorsed Eleni Kounalakis’ 2018 bid to become California’s next Lieutenant Governor. “The California Medical Association is proud to support Eleni Kounalakis for Lieutenant Governor,” said CMA President Theodore M. Mazer, M.D. “Today’s political environment demands leaders focused on pragmatic solutions to improve quality access to health care, address our looming physician shortage crisis and champion public health initiatives. We believe Eleni has the passion, temperament and experience to best represent California’s citizens and interests.” “I am so honored to receive the endorsement of the California ... January 30, 2018 CMA, General Election, Political Advocacy 0 0 Comment Read More »
California Medical Association applauds voter approval of Proposition 52 The California Medical Association (CMA) today applauded voter approval of Proposition 52, the California Medi-Cal Hospital Reimbursement Initiative. Voters passed the measure, which will maximize the amount of federal funds available to California to provide health care services to children, seniors and working families through Medi-Cal. “One in three Californians rely on Medi-Cal care so it’s critical that we invest in health care services needed by our most vulnerable populations,” said CMA Immediate Past President Steven E. Larson, M.D., MPH. “Prop. 52 will help provide essentials like check-ups, immunizations, prescriptions, ... November 14, 2016 Medi-Cal Ballot Measures, Election, Medi-Cal, Political Advocacy 0 0 Comment Read More »
California Medical Association applauds voter approval of Proposition 55 The California Medical Association (CMA) today applauded voter approval of Proposition 55, the California Children’s Education and Health Care Protection Act of 2016. This measure will provide much-needed funding for public education and vital health care services. “Prop. 55 presented a rare opportunity to invest in the health and well-being of low-income children and their families,” said CMA President Ruth Haskins, M.D. “California’s doctors are proud to have served as leaders in this effort to help patients stay healthy and thrive.” Prop. 55 will extend current income tax rates for the ... November 9, 2016 General Ballot Measures, Election, Medi-Cal, Political Advocacy, Prop.55 0 0 Comment Read More »
2016 Voter Guide: Why your vote counts when it comes to health care With 17 statewide initiatives, the November 2016 ballot includes the largest number of measures since 2000, when 20 measures qualified. Among these initiatives are a handful that could have a significant impact on patient access to care and the state of health care in California. Vote with California’s doctors to increase patient access to care and improve health care in the Golden State! Below is a summary of the propositions as they relate to health care, as well as the California Medical Association's official positions on the measures. Proposition 52: State ... November 4, 2016 General Ballot Measures, Political Advocacy, Prop. 55, Prop. 56 (tobacco tax) 0 0 Comment Read More »
Study finds fewer California physicians accept Medi-Cal despite a surge in patients Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the numbers of patients enrolled in Medi-Cal has increased over the past three years, but a new study published by the California Health Care Foundation shows that fewer physicians are accepting these patients—largely because of the dismal payment rates. Medi-Cal has long been underfunded, resulting in decreased access to health care for patients and dangerously low reimbursement rates for participating physicians. Currently, payments to doctors for a typical office visit under Medi-Cal are far less than the cost of providing care. In 2013, according to ... November 4, 2016 Medi-Cal Prop.56 (tobacco tax), Ballot Measures, Election, Medi-Cal, Political Advocacy, Prop.55 0 0 Comment Read More »
California Medical Association endorses soda tax ballot measures The California Medical Association (CMA) today announced endorsements for three Bay Area ballot propositions aimed at reducing sugar intake to prevent diabetes and obesity: Measure V in San Francisco (Tax on Distributing Sugar-Sweetened Beverages) proposes a 1-cent per ounce tax that is estimated to generate $14.4 million/year. Measure HH in Oakland (Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax) proposes a 1-cent per ounce tax that is estimated to generate $6-8 million/year. Measure 01 in Albany (Sugar-Sweetened Beverage General Tax) proposes a 1-cent per ounce ... October 14, 2016 General Ballot Measures, Election, Political Advocacy, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
Life-saving tobacco tax measure holds narrow lead in Field poll A new Field poll shows that California voters narrowly favor Proposition 56, but also reflects the effect of Big Tobacco's mammoth spending and deceptive messaging. The Field poll found that Prop. 56 is ahead by 53 percent to 40 percent, with six weeks before Election Day. “This is not a surprise. Tobacco companies have spent $200 million over the last 10 years in campaign contributions to defeat tobacco taxes,” said Yes on 56 Campaign Manager Jim DeBoo. “They know the tax itself will help prevent passing this deadly, costly habit ... October 13, 2016 General Election, Political Advocacy, Prop. 56 (tobacco tax), Ballot Measures, Public Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
Big Tobacco launches dishonest ad campaign about Prop. 56 Tom Torlakson, California’s state superintendent of public instruction, has demanded that broadcasters immediately stop airing false and deceptive ads from tobacco companies about the Proposition 56 tobacco tax initiative. Big Tobacco, which has put $36 million into the opposition campaign so far, continues to assert that Prop. 56 would take money away from education — a statement Torlakson called “preposterous” and “insulting to those of us committed to the education and well being of California’s children.” “It is absolutely untrue to claim that no money from the proposed tobacco tax would ... August 25, 2016 General Political Advocacy, Prop. 56 (tobacco tax), Smoking, Electronic Cigarettes, Public Health, Tobacco, Tobacco Tax 0 0 Comment Read More »
