ACCMA News

Dr. Edmon Soliman: ACCMA Member of the Month

We are grateful for Dr. Edmon Soliman’s contributions to improving community health and are proud to honor him as the ACCMA Member of the Month.

Dr. Edmon Soliman stands out as one of ACCMA’s most committed and engaged members. Since joining in 2001, he has taken on numerous roles, including serving as President from 2022 to 2023. He remains actively involved in several of the ACCMA committees and is currently serving as a CMA trustee on the ACCMA Council as well as course co-director for the highly sought after Physician Leadership Program (PLP). He is a great ambassador for the organization, promoting the benefits of membership to others and attending most social events, even hosting a couple of his own events through the Member-Led Events Program offered by ACCMA to promote physician wellness. Outside of his involvement with ACCMA, Dr. Soliman cares for patients at Kaiser Walnut Creek and helps train newer physicians in his additional role as Communications Consultant. As a self-proclaimed “techie” he enjoys digital photography and exploring new ways to use his Smartphone. He is equally “athletic” on the basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts.

Do you know a physician who goes above and beyond, creating a lasting positive impact in their community? Share their story with us!

AB 2132: Required TB Screening for Adult Patients

A new California law that took effect January 1st, AB 2132, mandates that patients aged 18 and older receiving primary care services be offered tuberculosis (TB) screening if risk factors are identified, provided these services are covered by their health care plan. If a TB screening test is positive, health care providers must offer follow-up care or refer the patient to another provider. Importantly, providers are protected from disciplinary actions or liability for non-compliance. Additionally, the bill requires Medi-Cal managed care plans to ensure access to care for latent and active TB and coordinate with local health departments for enrollees with active TB. For practicing physicians, this means an increased responsibility to screen for TB and ensure appropriate follow-up care, while also being shielded from legal repercussions for non-compliance.

For more information about the law, visit: AB 2132: Health care services: tuberculosis. | Digital Democracy

For a 4-step guide about the law and how to implement it, visit:https://ctca.org/wp-content/uploads/LTBI_12-29-24.pdf

President's Page: First Do No Harm

Presidential administrations significantly impact the health and wellbeing of our patients and communities. Through the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) and its agencies, presidential administrations have significant influence over how financial resources are allocated, the focus of federal research, and how our public health care insurance systems are managed, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Children’s Health Insurance Program, the Vaccines for Children program, Medicare, and Medicaid. These decisions impact all Americans but are usually felt most acutely by those most underserved and vulnerable. 

As we embark on the next four years, the ACCMA is urging President Trump and his administration to make decisions that are based on facts, evidence, and science, just as  physicians do for our patients every day. Like physicians, the new administration should first and foremost do no harm. Misinformation and disinformation must not guide policymaking decisions and undermine evidence-based public health strategies.

As physicians, we must reaffirm our commitment to evidence based medicine and redouble our efforts to educate our patients about what the evidence shows. Here are the facts: 
• Vaccines are safe, effective, and protect against life threatening disease such as measles, polio, tetanus, and meningococcal disease. Because of vaccine mis- and disinformation, there has been a resurgence in vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and whooping cough, endangering those who are too young or unable to be vaccinated.
• Fluoride in drinking water at the recommended level of 0.7 parts per million, like we have in our EBMUD water, is safe and keeps teeth strong. Because 72.3% of the U.S. population has access to fluoridated water, there has been a reduction in cavities by about 25% in both children and adults.
• Public health agencies are critical to preventing and responding to health crises in our communities. Federal funding and technical assistance allow local and state public health agencies to develop response plans, implement intervention strategies, and work with hard-to-reach communities.
• Since the passage of the ACA in 2010, the number of uninsured Americans fell from 48 million in 2010 to 25.6 million in 2023. California has led the way by investing and expanding Medi- Cal. Voters affirmed this commitment by passing Proposition 35 in November, significantly expanding federal Medi-Cal funding.

These are just a few of the many issues we are likely to confront in the days, weeks, and months ahead. Regardless of the president in power, physicians will always put the best interests of our patients and communities at the forefront. We will continue to be a resource to our patients, providing evidence-based and scientifically proven information and striving to better their lives and our community's health. We urge this administration to do the same.

Immigration Enforcement Guidance and Resources for Physicians

The Trump Administration has overturned policies that banned immigration enforcement in “protected areas,” which includes hospitals and doctor’s offices. Practices should consider developing or updating protocols for responding to immigration enforcement visits and requests for access. The ACCMA has compiled the following concise guidance to assist members in understanding how immigration actions may intersect with clinical practice considerations so that physicians and their teams can make informed choices that minimize harm to patients. Please contact the ACCMA with any questions or requests for additional information. Read the full guide here.

Bird Flu (Avian Influenza A (H5N1))

Bird Flu (Avian Influenza A (H5N1))

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza A (H5N1) or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), is caused by a virus that primarily affects birds and mammals, resulting in their serious illness or even death. Ongoing outbreaks of H5N1 are occurring on California dairy cattle and poultry farms. The virus can also infect humans. 

As of January 7, 2025, there are 66 confirmed human cases in the United States, with 37 cases reported in California. 36 of those cases in California are associated with exposure to infected dairy cattle. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is working with local, state, and federal partners to monitor bird flu in farm animals and people who work closely with poultry and dairy cows. 

On December 18, 2024, Governor Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency to strengthen California's robust response to bird flu. However, according to the CDPH, no person-to-person spread of bird flu has been detected in California and the current risk to the public remains low.

Clinicians are asked to consider avian influenza A(H5N1) in patients with upper respiratory symptoms and exposure to sick/dead birds, wildlife, or domesticated animals, or exposure to unpasteurized (raw) milk or milk products. Please see County Health Advisories for additional details.

Symptoms in Humans include:

• Eye redness or discharge
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Trouble breathing
• Fever (100 °F or higher)
• Pneumonia
• Seizures

Transmission from sick cows, birds, or other infected animals can occur by: 

• Breathing in dust or droplets of the virus. 
• Splashing raw milk from an infected cow in your eyes, nose, or mouth. 
• Touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands after: 
  • Touching raw milk, cow or bird feces, or other contaminated items or surfaces. 
  • Handling sick or dead animals infected with the virus. 
• ​​Drinking raw milk. ​​​​

Note: Pasteurized milk and dairy products are safe to consume. Pasteurization
inactivates the bird flu virus.​​

Resources and County Advisories
Contra Costa County Provider Health Advisory Updates on H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) (December 11, 2024)
Alameda County HEALTH ADVISORY Detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza(HPAI) A (H5N1) Virus in Alameda County (December 9, 2024)
CDPH Health Update to Healthcare Providers (December 6, 2024)CDPH Bird Flu Webpage
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Bird Flu Tracking

CMA-Backed Candidates Elected to Office

Preliminary results from the 2024 General Election are in and several candidates endorsed by ACCMA’s and CMA’s Political Action Committees (ACCPAC and CALPAC) are in strong positions to win. These include: John Bauters, Alameda County Board of Supervisors District 5 (leading with 53.42%), Jesse Arreguín, Senate District 7 (leading with 61.6%), Jerry McNerney, Senate District 5 (leading with 57.06%), and Anamarie Avila Farias, Assembly District 15 (leading with 63.4%). Tim Grayson, Senate District 9 (currently in first with 55.2%).

Alameda & Contra Costa Counties Launch New D-SNP Plan

Beginning January 1, 2026, the two Managed Care Plans (MCPs) in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, Alameda Alliance for Health and Contra Costa Health Plan, will launch a new Medicare Advantage Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP). Your current patients who chose to join this new plan will become out of network, unless you choose to contract with the Alliance or Contra Costa Health Plan.

St. Rose Becomes an Affiliate of Alameda Health System

On November 1^st, Alameda Health System announced that St. Rose Hospital became an affiliate of Alameda Health System (AHS). This will allow St. Rose to stay open and continue providing care to approximately 400,000 mostly low-income Medi-Cal and Medicare patients in Southern Alameda County.  Earlier this year, Governor Newsom vetoed AB2271 which would have forgiven over $17 million in state loans for St. Rose Hospital.  ACCMA sent a letter to Governor Newsom urging him to sign the bill. ACCMA members include physicians who practice at St. Rose Hospital and understand the need to keep the only safety-net healthcare provider with emergency and maternity care services in southern Alameda County.  

President's Page: Empowering and Organizing Physicians to Lead

It is my honor to serve as your ACCMA  President for the coming year. When I joined the ACCMA in 2014 as a newly trained general surgeon, my practice kindly
covered my membership dues, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I discovered, however, was far beyond what I imagined. The ACCMA offered me knowledge, a
strong sense of community and unwavering support. Today, I remain a proud ACCMA member, not because my practice still covers my dues, but because of the immense value the ACCMA continues to offer its members. 

During these times of uncertainty, I am reminded of why the ACCMA exists and what purpose it continues to serve for our membership: empowering and organizing physicians to lead and improve the practice of medicine to better patients' lives and the community's health.

As physicians, we are deeply skilled in the science and art of medicine, but the complex and constantly evolving landscape of healthcare presents ongoing challenges that increasingly influence how we deliver patient care. As physicians, we must adapt, and more importantly, we must lead.

Organized medicine is essential because it gives us a collective voice to advocate for our profession, our patients, and our communities. With policies and legislation increasingly working against us, now is the time for action. We must raise our voices, push for meaningful change, and ensure that the future of medicine reflects the needs of
both our profession and the communities we serve. 

Over the past year, under the leadership of my predecessor, Doctor Albert Brooks, the ACCMA accomplished a lot, including relocating our headquarters to Lafayette; continuing our Physician Leadership Program and developing a new health equity-focused leadership course; providing more opportunities for members to
connect and build community through social events. We continued to advocate on a wide range of issues impacting our profession and our patients, and we succeeded in passing Proposition 35, bringing in billions of new dollars into the Medi-Cal program. 

This is the power of physicians coming together through the medical association. If we continue to stick together and advocate for what is best for our patients and our profession, we will accomplish so much more.

ACCMA Urges Oakland City Council to Pass Smoking and Vaping Ban

Update 12/4/2024: During its second reading at the December 3rd City Council meeting, the Council unanimously voted to pass this Ordinance and it will be come law.

Oakland City Councilmember Dan Kalb has introduced an ordinance that banned smoking and vaping on bar patios, as well as in multi-unit housing. However, the multi-using housing piece included an exemption for cannabis smoking/vaping. ACCMA strongly supports efforts to mitigate secondhand and thirdhand smoke, and ACCMA staff provided public comment at both the Oakland City Council Community and Economic Development Committee hearing on October 23rd and the first reading of the Ordinance at the November 12th full City Council meeting. ACCMA also sent a letter to all Councilmembers urging them to pass the ordinance and amend it to remove the cannabis exemption. The Council voted to pass the ordinance, however they decided to keep the cannabis exemption. 

The Ordinance is required to have two readings before the City Council before final passage. The City Council is scheduled to consider the item again on December 3rd. You can read the letter here.