NYCU April 15, 2025 April 15, 2025 Advocacy, Artificial Intelligence, Champions for Health, CMA, CMA Benefits, Environmental Health Issues, Maternal Health, Medi-Cal, Medicare, Member Social, Mental Health, Practice Management, Prior Authorization, Public Health, SD County Health , SDCMS, Trump Administration 0 TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2025 PHYSICIANS: Public comments are requested on the Mental Health Services Act Annual Update. From April 1 through May 1, San Diego County is holding a 30–day online public review and comment period for the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Fiscal Year 2025–26 Annual Update. Final comments will be heard at the Behavioral Health Advisory Board’s May 1 meeting. The annual update will then go before the San Diego County Board of Supervisors on June 3 (subject to change) for review and approval, as required by the Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission. This will be the final MHSA Annual Update completed before San Diego County Behavioral Health Services shifts to the new Behavioral Health Services Act Integrated Plan. SAN DIEGO PHYSICIANS JOIN CMA’S 51ST ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY DAY IN SACRAMENTO TO DISCUSS CALIFORNIA’S MAJOR HEALTH CARE ISSUES Last Wednesday, I was privileged to be part of the delegation sent by San Diego County Medical Society (SDCMS) to Sacramento for California Medical Association's (CMA) 51st Annual Legislative Advocacy Day. SDCMS sent Drs. Karrar Ali, Maria Carriedo, Latisa Carson, Sergio Flores, Robert Hertzka, Steve Koh, Arlene Morales, Tim Murphy, Ran Regev, Will Tseng, and med students Sam Fuentes and Christina Noravian and they were joined by Drs. Gelen Del Rosario, Michelle Nguyen and Bing Pao from San Diego. These physicians attended CMA’s Legislative Conference and had meetings with state legislators or legislative staffers from members’ offices to discuss health care issues. The groups met with Sen. Brian Jones, Sen. Stephen Padilla, Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson, Asm. Darshana Patel, Asm. Tasha Boerner, Asm. David Alvarez, Asm. LaShea Sharp–Collins, Daniel Foncello from Asm. Laurie Davies’ office, Dave Trick from Asm. Carl DeMaio’s office, Alfonso Gomez from Asm. Chris Ward’s office and Tanay Nunna from Sen. Catherine Blakespear’s office. Prior to Legislative Advocacy Day, California Medical Association released its 2025 Sponsored Bill Package in the California Legislature. You can learn more about that HERE. RESCHEDULED TIJUANA RIVER VALLEY COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS CLINICAL TOWN HALL WEBINAR IS 6:00 – 7:00 PM ON APRIL 30TH SDCMS, in partnership with the County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA), invite you to attend a Tijuana River Valley Community Survey Results Clinical Town Hall. This virtual event intended for licensed and other essential medical professionals within the San Diego community has been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 30, 2025 from 6:00 – 7:00 PM. 1 hour of CME credit will be provided. The meeting will review the current situation of transboundary sewage flow and the CDC’s Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) survey results and what it reveals about the health concerns and impacts of sewage and pollution for your patients who live or work in the Tijuana River Valley area. We will also provide a Q&A Session between attendees and the speakers’ panel to allow dialogue for discussion. The County has also featured results of the CASPER study HERE. Speakers will include Dr. Ankita Kadakia, Interim Public Health Officer, Public Health Services; Heather Buonomo, Division Director of Environmental Health, Department of Environmental Health & Quality; and Paula Forbis, Air Pollution Control Officer, San Diego County Air Pollution Control Distirct. You can REGISTER HERE for this important event. ‘YOU GET A MAI TAI! YOU GET A MAI TAI! AND YOU GET A MAI TAI!’ IT’S THE SDCMS ‘ALOHA’ MIXER AT BALI HAI ON MAY 8TH The world looks a little bit better after a legendary Mai Tai from Bali Hai Restaurant on San Diego Bay. That’s just one reason to join your physician colleagues at our next physician networking opportunity — an ‘ALOHA’ mixer on Thursday evening, May 8, 2025 from 5:30 – 8:00 PM at the famous Bali Hai. Come mingle, socialize, and network with your colleagues, and be sure to bring your spouse/significant other — complimentary hor d’oeuvres and drinks will be provided. There is no charge for current society members or their guests to attend this hosted event as included in SDCMS’ benefit offerings. Space is limited and RSVPs are required, so REGISTER HERE, and do spread the word by forwarding this email to your colleagues. See you there! As always, let me know if you have any questions! Paul Hegyi, CEO WHAT TO KNOW … U.S. Maternal Mortality Rate Increased 27% Over Five Years, NIH Study Finds CLICK HERE One–Third of Maternal Deaths Occur Long After Delivery, Study Finds CLICK HERE California Bills Aim to Cut Red Tape Around Health Care Access CLICK HERE A Fifth of Americans are on Medicaid. Some of Them Have No Idea CLICK HERE Rising Demand Challenging Emergency Departments CLICK HERE HHS Needs a Drug Shortage Plan, Watchdog Says CLICK HERE Many Payers, Providers Unprepared for Interoperability and Prior Authorization Rule, WEDI Finds CLICK HERE CMS Signals Cutting Future Medicaid Demonstration Programs CLICK HERE WHAT TO DO … APR 22, 2025: 12:15–1:15pm, FREE Webinar for Members and Non–Members, sponsored by CMA, ‘Thriving in Value–Based Care — How Accountable Care Organizations Can Help You Succeed’. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has been clear: by 2030, all Medicare beneficiaries must be in accountable care relationships. As the deadline nears it’s critical for clinicians to explore the transition to value–based care, and understand how accountable care organizations (ACOs) can make this process easier. Join Aledade for an in–depth discussion on the tenets of value–based care, ACOs and the importance of choosing the right partner. Presenters include Dr. Stephen J. Bekanich, VP of Growth for Aledade and Dr. Eric Hansen, Vice Chair of CMA’s Board of Trustee and a practitioner in the high deserts of San Bernardino County CLICK HERE APR 25, 2025: 8:30am-3:30pm, The Atrium @ IEHP, 10801 Sixth St, Rancho Cucamonga, sponsored by RCMA, ‘Second Annual Healthcare AI Conference’. The future of healthcare is upon us. Are you ready? Healthcare AI has advanced at an astonishing rate. With enormous impact on healthcare delivery, practice efficiency, patient outcomes and provider quality of life, AI is reshaping our entire healthcare ecosystem and sets the course for the future of healthcare delivery. Learn what you can do today to positively transform your medical practice. $149 per person. CME credit available CLICK HERE APR 29, 2025: 12:15-1:15pm, FREE Webinar for Members and Non–Members, sponsored by CMA, ‘CMS Medicare Updates 2025’. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Regional Chief Medical Officer Ashby Wolfe, MD will provide an update on CMS policy for the 2025 calendar year to practicing clinicians, including an overview of the updates to the 2025 Physician Fee Schedule. Dr. Wolfe will also address physician reimbursement under the Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule for 2025 CLICK HERE MAY 6, 2025: 12:15-1:15pm, FREE Webinar for Members and Non–Members, sponsored by CMA and The Doctors Company, ‘The Anatomy of a Lawsuit — Understanding a California Medical Malpractice Case’. Join this educational webinar to outline and discuss the course of a typical medical malpractice lawsuit filed against a CA physician. Walk through receipt of a Notice of Intent to Sue and explore the litigation process, what elements a Plaintiff must prove to prevail and how a Defendant physician’s defense is built. Learn several proactive steps physicians and their practice can take to be as prepared as possible if ever involved in a suit CLICK HERE MAY 7-8, 2025: Westin San Diego Bayview, sponsored by CMA, ‘Third Annual Health IT Summit: Building the Future’. Use code ‘SDCMS’ to receive a $50 registration discount. CA’s premier health IT event brings together thought leaders, innovators and health care professionals to explore the intersection of health care technology. As health care continues to evolve through digital innovation and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), this summit will offer a deep dive into the tools, strategies and partnerships shaping the industry. Attendees can expect engaging sessions on AI, health information exchange and Qualified Health Information Organizations (QHIOs), plus the evolving role of technology in patient care CLICK HERE MAY 8, 2025: 5:30–8:00pm, Bali Hai, 2230 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego. SDCMS ‘Aloha’ Physician Social & Mixer. Please note this event is open exclusively to physicians and their guests and space is limited so rsvps are required. SDCMS members and non–members are welcome and encouraged to attend. Complimentary hor d’oeuvres and drinks will be provided CLICK HERE MAY 13, 2025: 12-1pm, FREE Webinar for Members, Non–Members, NPs, and PAs, sponsored by CMA and CDPH, ‘Virtual Grand Rounds: Emerging Issues in Public Health’. Presenters include Erica Pan, MD, MPH, CA State Public Health Officer & Director of CDPH, and Kimberly Newell Green, MD, CMA Trustee & UC San Francisco Associate Clinical Professor. More information to come. CME credit available CLICK HERE JUN 14, 2025: 5-10pm, Eve at RaDD, 975 Waterfront Pl, Suite 400, San Diego. 155th installation of SDCMS President and annual United in Wellness Gala, ‘Lighting the Way to Health’. Please join us in supporting Champions’ life–saving work to provide medical services for San Diego County’s underserved communities CLICK HERE JUN 26-27, 2025: Kimpton Sawyer Hotel in Sacramento, sponsored by CMA, ‘Annual CME Provider Conference and Workshop’. June 26 Workshop | June 27 Conference. Attend BOTH for $999 and save $349! These in–person educational opportunities provide valuable strategies and insights to improving your CME program, and an opportunity to connect with Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education leadership and California Medical Association staff along with other accredited CME providers CLICK HERE JUL 9, 2025: 5:30–8:00pm, Stone Brewing Bistro & Gardens Liberty Station, 2816 Historic Decatur Rd, San Diego, ‘SDCMS Physician Social & Mixer’. Please note this event is open exclusively to physicians and their guests and space is limited so rsvps are required. SDCMS members and non–members are welcome and encouraged to attend. Complimentary light appetizers and hosted wine and craft beer will be provided CLICK HERE JUL 10-11, 2025: The Westin Pasadena, sponsored by CMA, ‘2025 Health Equity Leadership Summit’. This event provides an opportunity for physicians, executives, advocates and allies to find community, engage in hands–on trainings and workshops, and hold in–depth conversations about how they are addressing the issue of health equity in California through their care of underserved communities throughout the state. Attendees will leave feeling energized and inspired to continue their important work to improve the lives of all Californians. Early–Bird Member $225, Early–Bird Non–member $249, Full Price Member $249, Full Price Non–Member $299, Student/Resident $99 CLICK HERE WHAT TO READ, LISTEN & WATCH … Podcast ‘What the Health?’ The Dismantling of HHS LISTEN HERE Alzheimer’s Project Clinical Roundtable Free On–Demand CME Webinar Series on Dementia WATCH HERE Champions for Health & TDC’s Free On–Demand CME Webinar Series ‘Innovations and Smart Approaches in Safe Prescibing’ to Help Fulfill DEA Training Requirements (Modules 1–5) WATCH HERE SDCMS Video Archive: View our FREE digital catalog of videos & webinars WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Are You Aware and Prepared for New California Laws? WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Managing the Noncompliant and Nonadherent Patient WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Physician Financial Wellness (Part 1) WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Physician Financial Wellness (Part 2) WATCH HERE SDCMS Webinar: Will Your Documentation Defend You? WATCH HERE Please Consider Supporting Our Advertisers … Thank You! 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