No on Proposition 46 campaign releases first video online Today, the “No On 46” campaign released its first campaign video on multiple online platforms. Titled “The Truth about Proposition 46,” the two-minute video features real practicing physicians and medical students from across the state discussing the flaws, costs and potential harmful consequences to patients and California’s health care system, if Prop. 46 were to pass. The video highlighted many of Prop. 46’s major flaws including, but not limited to, the fact that the initiative is written and paid for almost exclusively by trial lawyers who will personally profit from the ... August 8, 2014 General Professional Liability, MICRA 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA files brief with CA Supreme Court in case that could undermine MICRA's longstanding definition of professional negligence The California Medical Association (CMA), together with other amici, has filed a brief with the California Supreme Court, urging reversal of an appellate court opinion that thwarts the long-standing definition of "professional negligence" in California's Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA). The ruling, if allowed to stand as precedent for future cases, could be misused to undermine the goals of MICRA and adversely affect the entirety of the health care system and safety net in California. In this case, Flores vs. Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital, a hospital inpatient sued for injuries ... July 18, 2014 General Legal Advocacy, MICRA, Professional Liability, Amicus Briefs 0 0 Comment Read More »
California Democratic Party to remain neutral on Prop. 46 Backers of Proposition 46, the MICRA lawsuit measure, were dealt another severe blow this weekend when, despite their intense lobbying, the Executive Board of the California Democratic Party rejected their efforts to gain an endorsement, instead voting to remain neutral. Over the course of the three-day meeting, Democratic Party leaders and activists who reviewed Prop. 46 found that, if the initiative were to pass, health care costs would go up, access to care would go down, community clinics would be harmed and personal privacy will be put at risk. Understanding its ... July 15, 2014 General Access to Care, Professional Liability, MICRA 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA files brief with California Supreme Court in MICRA constitutionality case The California Medical Association (CMA), along with the California Dental Association and the California Hospital Association filed an amicus brief with the California Supreme Court urging the common sense application of our state’s landmark Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA), which allows non-economic damage awards up to $250,000 and unlimited economic damage awards for all past and future medical costs, lost wages and earning capacity. This case is just the latest in many legal challenges to MICRA that have been funded by trial lawyer groups from across the country. In ... July 15, 2014 General Legal Advocacy, MICRA, Professional Liability, Amicus Briefs 0 0 Comment Read More »
MICRA lawsuit measure assigned proposition number The unprecedentedly broad and diverse coalition working to defeat the trial lawyers’ MICRA lawsuit measure is now officially the “No On 46” campaign, following the assignment of proposition numbers to qualified ballot measures by the Secretary of State’s Office on Monday. If approved by voters, Proposition 46 would increase health costs, reduce access to care and threaten patient privacy, all to make it easier and more profitable for lawyers to sue doctors and hospitals. In addition to increasing the overall number of medical lawsuits and the cost of health care ... July 3, 2014 General Professional Liability, MICRA 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA files brief in case challenging the constitutionality of MICRA The California Medical Association (CMA), together with the American Medical Association (AMA), has filed an amicus brief supporting the constitutionality of the non-economic damages cap of California's landmark Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA). This appeal is the latest in a protracted line of cases challenging MICRA's constitutionality since the Legislature enacted the statute in 1975. The California Supreme Court has previously upheld the constitutionality of MICRA's cost saving provisions, including MICRA's $250,000 cap on non-economic damages. Despite Supreme Court precedent, after a trial court reduced the non-economic damages awarded ... June 18, 2014 General MICRA, Professional Liability, CMA Legal Case List, Legal Advocacy 0 0 Comment Read More »
Pledge your commitment to protect MICRA With less than 200 days left until the 2014 general election, the California Medical Association (CMA) is working hard to educate every physician in California about the efforts underway to defeat the trial lawyer-backed anti-MICRA ballot measure. Ensuring that each and every California physician understands the importance of our state's landmark Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA) remains one of CMA's top priorities. The ballot measure being pushed by trial lawyers would increase health care costs for everyone in California and decrease access to care – which is why such ... April 21, 2014 General Professional Liability, MICRA 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA attends California Democratic, Republican Party Conventions to showcase health care efforts The California Medical Association (CMA) sent a large contingent of physicians, medical students and staff to the California Democratic Party Convention in Los Angeles, March 7-9. As the trial lawyers are major Democratic party financial contributors, our presence was critical to the ongoing battle over the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA). Joining the group of 3,000 California Democratic delegates and guests, CMA’s physicians and medical students, donning their crisp white lab coats, had a major presence. Roaming the halls, lining the backs of caucus rooms and speaking to delegates, ... March 20, 2014 General Advocacy, Legislative Advocacy, Professional Liability 0 0 Comment Read More »
Report says CURES database provisions in MICRA ballot measure cannot be implemented Today, the Patients, Providers and Healthcare Insurers to Protect Access & Contain Health Costs campaign released a report that raises serious doubts about whether a key provision of the trial lawyers' proposed anti-MICRA ballot measure can be feasibly implemented. Even worse, according to the report, the ballot measure would put physicians and pharmacists in the impossible position of choosing between denying or delaying needed prescription medication to legitimately suffering patients and violating the law. In addition to more than quadrupling MICRA's cap on non-economic damages, the trial attorneys' proposed initiative would ... March 17, 2014 General CURES, MICRA, Professional Liability 0 0 Comment Read More »
Become an official opponent of anti-MICRA ballot initiative If you haven't already, please take a moment to sign up to be an official opponent of a possible November 2014 ballot measure being pushed by trial lawyers that would significantly weaken California's Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA) and increase lawsuits against doctors, community clinics, health centers, hospitals and other health care providers. It only takes a moment to join and add your and/or your organization's name to the official list of opponents to this greed-fueled initiative. Once you do, you also will receive regular email updates from the ... February 7, 2014 General MICRA, Professional Liability, Grassroots Advocacy 0 0 Comment Read More »
