ACCMA News

ACCMA 2025 Presidential Speech: Dr. Clifford Wong

Good evening, friends and supporters of the ACCMA.

It is my honor and privilege to welcome and address you all at this 157th annual meeting.

I embark upon this presidential year bearing in mind our mission to improve the practice of medicine for the benefit of patients and public health.  Now more than ever we must be guided by that purpose.

It is difficult to foresee the issues and challenges the incoming President will face.  Could Dr. Peters & Dr. Dutta have imagined needing to lead us during the COVID pandemic?  And now merely a few years later, (Dr.) Lo and behold, could we have imagined the upheaval and uncertainty now threatening our health care system, the looming erosion of our public safety net, and the undermining of public confidence in evidence-based medical practice?

This July 4th, our nation received quite the birthday gift in the form of HR1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but from a health care perspective, this one is aesthetically challenged.  HR1 has enacted deep cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, totaling over $1.2T, representing the largest rollback of federal support for healthcare in American history.  An estimated 10M will become uninsured within 10 years, largely due to Medicaid cuts of $990B.

Separate from HR1, an additional 5M will lose coverage due to the expiration of ACA enhanced premium tax credits and prior HHS rule changes to the ACA marketplace.

What does this mean for CA? 2.5M will lose MediCal & nearly 2M will pay 97% higher premiums or lose coverage.

But, friends, that is just the funding rug being pulled out from under us. Complicating matters, we find ourselves on the defensive against an unexpected and insidious attack on science.

This is our second year hosting our annual meeting at the Chabot Space and Science Center, and I find it particularly fitting this year that we are gathered in an observatory, an institution of science.

In the 17th century, telescopes enabled astronomers to usher their field into a modern era.  It was their discoveries that propelled the Scientific Revolution, beginning a period when empiricism, reason, & logic prevailed.

Yet here we are today, some 400 years later.  And like the astronomers of old, who were challenged, even labeled heretics, for believing the earth revolved around the sun, we the doctors of 2025 are facing unprecedented skepticism and suspicion of the science-based practice of medicine. We are alarmingly witnessing the dismantlement of our public health infrastructure;  hurdles to scientific progress created by research funding cuts; leadership and advisory group experts with career experience and scientific training replaced;  and heretofore publicly accepted medical guidance on vaccines, pasteurization of milk, even Tylenol, now suddenly put in question.

Are we about to enter a Scientific Devolution?  Not if we can help it.

In the face of these obstacles, the ACCMA supports and defends evidence-based medical practice, advocates for health care access, including reproductive and gender-affirming care, and seeks to protect vulnerable populations.

At our recent California Medical Association House of Delegates, our delegation joined our state's sister societies in responding to the damaging effects of HR1 and the assault on science with policy reaffirming these objectives.

We also recognize that these federal threats come at a time when medical practices continue to contend with rising operating costs, payments that lag behind the cost of providing care, and administrative burdens, all of which threaten practice viability and jeopardize patient access to care.

Your medical association works on your behalf to advocate for prior authorization reform, support telemedicine services, & call for fair reimbursement, including securing our voter-approved Prop 35 funding & inflation-indexed Medicare payments.

Before I conclude, I want to take a moment to acknowledge those who've supported me along the way:

My partner Alex, my dear friends, my colleagues at St. Rose and Washington Hospitals, and partners at West Coast Kidney Institute.   I acknowledge my fellow ACCMA members who have given me the privilege to lead this year and am honored by your confidence.

This moment is a critical one.

And it is critical for us to pay attention to what is happening, as busy as we may be in our practices.

It is critical for us to use our voice to counter those that obfuscate and sow distrust and doubt.

It is critical for us to practice as models of reason, logic, and faith in science.

A quote attributed to the great astronomer Galileo: "It is surely harmful to souls to make it a heresy to believe what is proved."

Stand by what is proved. And be proud to represent science and our profession.

2025 ACCMA Medical Student Scholarship Recipient: Evan Tansimore

The Oakland Sports Equity Coalition: Harnessing Community Coalition Action for Increasing Youth Access to Sports 

Project by Evan Tansimore 

Youth sports offer powerful opportunities for growth, health, and community—but access is far from equal. In Oakland and across the country, systemic barriers like pay-to-play costs, limited school funding, and a lack of youth development-focused coaches prevent many children, especially from low-income and BIPOC communities, from participating and exploring different ways to stay active.  

The Oakland Sports Equity Coalition (OSEC), launched by the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA), brings together local leaders, youth sports professionals, educators, and community organizations to address these inequities. Together, they are focused on increasing access, representation, and inclusion in youth sports across the city through open collaboration and resource consolidation.  

This research study, led in partnership with PCA, uses interviews with coalition members to understand how OSEC functions and what impact it has on the community. Early indications show that participation in OSEC led to more collaboration among partners, more communication among sectors that are frequently siloed, and a shift of culture around youth sports towards growth and inclusion, away from pure competition. While challenges remain, the coalition model shows strong potential for transforming how cities can make youth development through sports accessible for all youth.  

Evan Tansimore is a 2nd-year JMP medical student and the lead for this project. His love of community equity and sport inspires this research and interest in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, with a potential pediatric emphasis. 

2025 ACCMA Medical Student Scholarship Recipient: Pranay Narang

Optimizing Hypertension Care with Fixed Dose Combinations: Barriers & Opportunities 

Project by Pranay Narang 

Uncontrolled hypertension is a leading driver of ischemic heart disease, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, dementia, stroke, and pregnancy-related complications. Fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) are guideline-endorsed first-line therapies that improve blood pressure (BP) control by reducing pill burden, improving adherence, and targeting multiple pathophysiological mechanisms. Despite these benefits, FDC utilization remains low across U.S. health systems. Few studies examine the complex factors influencing FDC uptake; existing qualitative studies rarely interrogate structural barriers or formulate stakeholder-informed recommendations. This investigation aimed to address these evidence gaps by exploring the perspectives of providers, population health stakeholders, and health system executives through semi-structured interviews to identify structural and provider-level barriers to FDC utilization and formulate recommendations for health systems. Twenty-three participants engaged in hypertension care or hypertension-related population health initiatives at UC Health or a regional vertically-integrated health system were recruited and interviewed through purposive and snowball sampling. 

Following thematic analysis, structural barriers identified included limited exposure to FDCs early in training, entrenched monotherapy-reliant practice cultures, workflow constraints, fragmented formularies, and absent performance incentives and leadership endorsements. Provider-level perspectives and practices diverged: clinicians reported minimal use of FDCs, limited familiarity with FDCs, and concerns about dosage inflexibility and adverse effects. By contrast, pharmacists and nurse practitioners identified as major proponents of FDCs, demonstrated broad familiarity with therapeutic and cost advantages, and reframed clinicians concerns as misconceptions due to limited exposure. To improve FDC utilization across health systems, we propose: (1) integrating FDC exposure into early medical and pharmacy curricula; (2) embedding decision-support tools and SmartSets that prompt consideration of FDCs into electronic medical records; (3) expanding team-based care models to distribute responsibility for medication intensification; (4) securing leadership endorsements, novel incentive structures for primary care providers, and data tracking mechanisms; and (5) fostering normative change through champions, CME-accredited educational sessions, and socialization strategies. 

Supplemental Food For Patients Impacted by Lapse in SNAP Funding

The federal government shutdown has led to a lapse in regular funding for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which funds CalFresh in California. Consequently, food insecurity is expected to increase among tens of thousands of East Bay residents who rely on CalFresh to feed themselves and their families. Impacted residents can be directed to local food pantries to access supplemental food during this challenging time.

The following resources may be useful to share with impacted patients:
Alameda County Community Foodbank: https://lnkd.in/ehw-rQhb
Contra Costa Food Bank: https://lnkd.in/eJG6W3hC

Member of the Month: Dr. Susan Adham

Celebrate Dr. Susan Adham — ACCMA’s Member of the Month for October! 

We’re proud to honor Susan Adham, MD as the Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association’s (ACCMA) Member of the Month for October! 

Dr. Adham, a pediatrician in East Contra Costa County, exemplifies compassionate, dedicated, and community-centered care. She goes above and beyond for her patients, providing exceptional medical expertise with genuine kindness and empathy. Colleagues value her teamwork, positivity, and constant support. Her professionalism and commitment to excellence make her a truly deserving recipient of ACCMA’s Member of the Month recognition. 

Dr. Adham’s compassion, professionalism, and dedication to her community truly embody the spirit of ACCMA’s Member of the Month

ACCMA member Dr. Arthur Chen, selected as the 2025 Joseph F. Boyle, MD ECPS Young at Heart Award

ACCMA member Dr. Arthur Chen, a Senior Fellow at Asian Health Services in Alameda County, has been selected as the 2025 Joseph F. Boyle, MD ECPS Young at Heart Award. Dr. Chen has a lifetime of advocacy in organized medicine, serving as ACCMA President in 2015, and delegation chair in 2016, as well as Alameda County Public Health Officer and Medical Director of Alameda Alliance for Health. Dr. Chen has been a long-time ally to trainees and early career physicians in encouraging leadership and advocacy.

ACCMA Delegation Advances Key Priorities at CMA House of Delegates

The District IX Delegation, representing the Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association, played a leading role at this year’s California Medical Association (CMA) House of Delegates, where delegates debated critical issues affecting the practice of medicine and our medical associations.  District IX successfully achieved nearly all of our goals, strengthening CMA’s stance on federal health policy threats, reproductive and gender-affirming care, and internal governance reform. Two ACCMA members were also given awards in recognition of their dedication and leadership to the profession.  

Defending Care from Federal Threats 

District IX delegates helped lead the charge to protect physicians and patients from ongoing federal efforts to restrict access to comprehensive health care. We advanced amendments ensuring that CMA will continue to support reimbursement for physicians assisting patients in maintaining coverage and eligibility for federal programs like Medicaid. CMA adopted new policy, advanced by our delegation, supporting comprehensive immigration reform and. Our delegation supported a suite of policy positions opposing the use of immigration enforcement actions that treat patients inhumanely or deter patients from seeking medical care, and we secured an amendment for CMA to support comprehensive immigration reform. Our delegation also emphasized the need for CMA to defend evidence-based medicine from government interference – whether in reproductive health, gender-affirming care, or public-health guidance. 

We spoke forcefully in opposition to amendments that would have weakened our commitment to abortion access and funding for Planned Parenthood, affirming that abortion is an essential component of reproductive health. Likewise, we opposed efforts to limit access to gender-affirming care through arbitrary age restrictions or parental-consent requirements, recognizing that current standard of care reflects considerations based on age and the importance of parental involvement. The House upheld CMA’s longstanding policy that these clinical decisions belong between patients, families, and physicians – not lawmakers. 

Strengthening Our Medical Associations 

Our delegation also helped shape major reforms related to the governance of CMA and AMA. Our work helped ensure that California’s delegation to the American Medical Association continues to include delegates and alternates who are elected locally, providing vital two-way accountability – representing California physicians nationally while reporting back to their local medical societies. We also succeeded in strengthening CMA governance reforms by securing amendments to strengthen the role of the House of Delegates in overseeing and making decisions about policy resolutions that guide CMA’s advocacy agenda.   

Honoring Our Own 

Doctor Shagun Bindlish was awarded CMA’s 2025 “Compassionate Care Award” for her work as founder and president of the Golden State Obesity Society. This organization has created statewide, no-cost programs aimed at preventing chronic diseases, especially in communities facing health disparities. 

Doctor Arthur Chen was honored with the 2025 Joseph F. Boyle, MD “Young at Heart Award”, for his long-time mentorship and allyship to trainees and early career physicians in encouraging leadership and advocacy. He has been a long-time advocate for health care for all and has held numerous leadership positions within the ACCMA and in our local medical community.   

Looking Ahead 

District IX’s successes at this House of Delegates meeting reflect our preparation, teamwork, and alignment of priorities. We will continue our work to defend evidence-based care, strengthen democratic governance, and ensure that CMA remains a responsive and representative voice for California physicians. If you would like to get involved in helping to shape CMA’s policy positions and priorities by joining our Delegation, please contact the ACCMA at accma@accma.org or by calling 510-654-5383.  

ACCMA Member Shagun Bindlish, MD Recognized at CMA HOD

At CMAHOD, Shagun Bindlish MD FACP FOMA is recognized with CMA’s 2025 Compassionate Care Award for her work as founder and president of the Golden State Obesity Society. This org has created statewide, no-cost programs aimed at preventing chronic diseases, especially in communities facing health disparities. Learn more: https://www.cmadocs.org/newsroom/news/view/ArticleId/51011/Bay-Area-physician-and-health-advocate-receives-CMA-s-Compassionate-Service-award

Dr. Kristen Lum: ACCMA Member of the Month

We’re proud to honor Dr. Kristen Lum as the ACCMA’s Member of the Month for October! A Bay Area native, Dr. Lum chose pediatrics for its focus on advocacy, prevention, and child wellness, emphasizing nutrition, outdoor activity, and emotional health. She trained at UCSF and Children’s Hospital Oakland and remains active in medical leadership through the ACCMA Council and CMA Delegation. Outside of work, she enjoys paddle boarding, traveling, and discovering local food spots. Congratulations, Dr. Lum! 

Make a Nomination here

Federal Government Shutdown and Issues Impacting Physicians

As of midnight, the federal government has shut down after Congress failed to pass a funding bill or short-term resolution. Medicare and Medicaid payments will continue, but several pandemic-era flexibilities expired on Sept. 30, including most Medicare telehealth services (with limited exceptions for ACOs and mental health/SUD care). Audio-only telehealth and the Acute Hospital Care at Home program have also lapsed.

CMS will continue essential operations with reduced staffing, but some activities—such as policy development, surveys, and outreach—are paused. A temporary 10-day hold on some Medicare claims has been implemented but should have minimal impact. Physicians may continue to submit claims, with payments released once the hold is lifted.

Other key programs that expired include community health center funding, NHSC, teaching health centers, and special diabetes programs. Congress has generally restored these retroactively, but negotiations remain ongoing. Enhanced ACA premium tax credits—which affect nearly 1 million Californians—are also at risk.

For reimbursement assistance, visit CMA’s resource page. Physicians experiencing Medicare payment delays should notify AMA advocacy staff at ama.advocacy@ama-assn.org with the subject line “Medicare Payment Delay.” or contact CMA here. 

 Please see the Telehealth guidance that CMA/AMA issued last week linked here. 

ACCMA will continue to provide updates as developments unfold.