Save Lives California The WHAT The California Healthcare, Research, and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016 is a ballot initiative to increase California’s cigarette tax by $2 per pack, with an equivalent increase in the tax on other tobacco products like chew and e-cigarettes. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, and American Lung Association in California are standing up to Big Tobacco to save lives and help smokers quit. The WHY Save lives. Smoking is the number-one cause of preventable death in California. This initiative will ... February 11, 2016 Public Health Tobacco Tax 0 0 Comment Read More »
Zika Virus Resources CDC MMWR — Preventing Transmission of Zika Virus in Labor and Delivery Settings Through Implementation of Standard Precautions — United States, 2016 (2016.03.25) CAHAN Alert: Zika Virus Advisory #4 – Interim Guidelines Updated, First Sexual Transmission Confirmed in San Diego County (2016.03.25) CDC MMWR — Update: Interim Guidance for Prevention of Sexual Transmission of Zika Virus — United States, 2016 (2016.03.25) CDC MMWR — Update: Interim Guidance for Health Care Providers Caring for Women of Reproductive ... February 11, 2016 Public Health Zika Virus 0 0 Comment Read More »
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 »