Physicians: Your IMQ Participation Can Make a Difference! Are you looking for a new activity? IMQ is looking for physicians who may be interested in becoming surveyors for the Ambulatory Care, Corrections, or CME Review Programs. The Ambulatory Program accredits surgery centers, offices, and medical groups in California. The Corrections Program reviews the healthcare in jails and juvenile facilities, and the CME Program reviews providers of CME. All surveyors contribute directly to the improved quality of care. They interact with colleagues throughout the state, and see best practices and innovation beyond their own medical community. ... February 3, 2016 CMA IMQ 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA Capitol Insight With Anthony York: February 1, 2016 CMA Capitol Insight is a biweekly column by veteran journalist Anthony York, reporting on the inner workings of the state Legislature. Crime and the Coast Gov. Jerry Brown announced plans for a major new ballot initiative this fall — but it wasn’t climate change or tax reform in the governor’s crosshairs. Instead, Brown will focus on criminal justice, seeking changes in the parole system to allow more flexibility to locals and to help alleviate the pressures of the jail and prison system caused by years of lock-em-up policies. Those policies, ironically ... February 1, 2016 CMA, Legislation Capitol Insight 0 0 Comment Read More »
2016–17 SDCMS Board of Directors Elections 2016–17 SDCMS Board of Directors (BOD) Elections: April 12 – May 6, 2016 Notes: “inc.” After Name = Incumbent • # in Parentheses After Name = Term Length in Years OFFICERS: President-elect: Mark W. Sornson, MD (1) Secretary: David E-J Bazzo, MD, FAAFP (1) Treasurer: James H. Schultz Jr., MD, MBA, FAAFP (1) GEOGRAPHIC DIRECTORS: East County #1: Venu Prabaker, MD (inc.) (3) East County #2: Kosala Samarasinghe, MD (1) Hillcrest #1: Gregory M. ... January 27, 2016 SDCMS Leadership BOD Election 0 0 Comment Read More »
2015 Medicare Meaningful Use Hardship Exception Applications Now Available APPLYING FOR A MEANINGFUL USE EXCEPTION Because of a delay in the publication of regulations governing the Medicare meaningful use program, CMS is allowing eligible physicians and hospitals to apply for an exception under the “extreme and uncontrollable circumstances” category. Physicians are urged to preemptively file for a 2015 hardship exception to avoid penalties in 2016. Physicians are encouraged to apply even if they are uncertain whether they will meet the program requirements this year. Doing so will not preclude physicians from receiving an incentive if they do meet meaningful ... January 25, 2016 Meaningful Use, Medicare Meaningful Use 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA Capitol Insight With Anthony York: January 19, 2016 CMA Capitol Insight is a biweekly column by veteran journalist Anthony York, reporting on the inner workings of the state Legislature. The Budget Battle Begins Gov. Jerry Brown introduced his budget this month, and it was about what was expected for anyone watching the governor in recent years. Brown did propose a solution to the fight over the managed care organization (MCO) tax, though no final deal has been announced. Passing such a tax would require a two-thirds vote, and Republicans have said they’re skeptical of the need for the tax. If ... January 19, 2016 CMA Capitol Insight 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA Responds to Unveiling of Governor Brown’s Proposed 2016–17 State Budget January 7, 2016 Steve Larson, MD, president of the California Medical Association (CMA), representing over 41,000 physicians statewide, issued the following statement in response to the unveiling of Governor Brown’s proposed 2016–17 state budget released this morning: “We are pleased to see the governor is committed to working with the Legislature and health plans to find a solution to the MCO tax. Without that, a gaping hole would exist in the state’s Medicaid (Medi-Cal) fund that would have devastating impacts on patients across the state. “Ensuring that Medi-Cal is better funded is ... January 7, 2016 CMA, Medi-Cal Medi-Cal, State Budget, Tobacco Tax 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA Capitol Insight With Anthony York: January 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 social ... January 4, 2016 Legislation Capitol Insight 0 0 Comment Read More »
Update on Federal Legislation From AMA Just before midnight on December 15, House leaders revealed the details of two legislative packages for passage before Congress adjourns for the holidays. The FY2016 omnibus appropriations package will fund federal agencies and programs through September 30, 2016. Many of the earlier debated policy riders, such as the proposal to “defund” Planned Parenthood, were omitted from the bill. However, the $1.1 trillion spending package does include a two-year delay of the so-called “Cadillac tax” on benefit-rich health insurance plans (for 2018 and 2019), as well as a one-year delay of ... December 17, 2015 Legislation AMA 0 0 Comment Read More »
Political Veteran Paul Hegyi Takes Over as SDCMS CEO Political Veteran Paul Hegyi Takes Over as SDCMS CEO CMA Alum Takes Reins on Heels of Current CEO’s Retirement Announcement Contact: Kyle Lewis, (858) 300-2784, KLewis@SDCMS.org San Diego – After over five years with the California Medical Association (CMA), vice president of membership, marketing, and communications Paul Hegyi will take over as chief executive officer of the San Diego County Medical Society (SDCMS) effective January 1, 2016. The transition comes after longtime SDCMS CEO Tom Gehring announced his retirement. “We could not be happier to have Paul come on board and join our ... December 15, 2015 SDCMS Leadership Paul Hegyi 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA Capitol Insight With Anthony York: December 7, 2015 CMA Capitol Insight is a biweekly column by veteran journalist Anthony York, reporting on the inner workings of the state Legislature. Whirlwind of a week Jerry Brown set off for Paris but redirected his travel through San Bernardino to meet with law enforcement officials and others on the scene of America’s latest mass shooting. The shooting seems to occupy some strange place between the Paris attacks, which were orchestrated by ISIS, and a very American-style, Fort Hood or office place violence incident. One of the shooters pledged her allegiance to ISIS on ... December 9, 2015 CMA, Legislation Capitol Insight 0 0 Comment Read More »