ACCMA Urges Oakland City Council to Pass Smoking and Vaping Ban 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. November 20, 2024 Advocacy, Legislation
Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Prop 35 Voters approve Prop 35 in resounding vote, expanding health care access for 15 million Californians California voters have overwhelmingly approved Proposition 35, a historic investment in Medi-Cal, which serves 15 million Californians! “California voters have realized a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a health care system that works for all Californians," said Shannon Udovic-Constant, M.D., president of the California Medical Association (CMA). "For too long, equitable access to health care has trailed behind growing eligibility and benefits provided by Medi-Cal. "With the passage of Proposition 35, we are ensuring Medi-Cal receives the dedicated funding it needs to serve the millions of seniors, children, low-income families and people with disabilities in our state. Going forward we will be able to hire more physicians, first responders, paramedics and other health care workers to address the worker shortage and ensure Californians aren’t having to wait hours in the emergency room or months to get an appointment with a physician. And once the new law is implemented, doctors, hospitals, clinics and health centers will have much needed stability to serve the patients in their communities. "This would not have been possible without the advocacy of our physician members and our more than 400 coalition partners. Our victory tonight is a testament to what we can accomplish when we come together to work for the thing that matters most: our patients. While there is much to celebrate, we realize this is just the beginning. CMA will continue to work with stakeholders and the state to realize the vision of Prop 35, and I am excited to move forward together.” CMA co-chaired the coalition that put Proposition 35 before the voters in order to provide a dedicated, ongoing source of funding to increase access to health care. The passage of Prop 35 is particularly important to improve access to health care for the nearly 15 million Californians, including half of the state’s children, who are covered by Medi-Cal. Prop 35 also will grow the health care workforce in California, which will improve access to care for all Californians. November 6, 2024 Advocacy, Legislation
Election Day is Approaching Quickly Election Day is approaching quickly! It is critical that you use your voice and vote this election cycle. California State Propositions ACCMA is strongly supporting Proposition 35: Medi-Cal Access to Care. California’s health care system is facing major challenges, including long wait times to a provider, crowded emergency rooms, and low re imbursement rates for providers. Prop 35 will address these challenges by using an already existing tax on Managed Care Plans, and federal matching dollars, towards investing in our states health care system. When enacted, Prop 35 will: Expand access to care by substantially increasing reimbursement rates for primary care and specialty care, bringing rates closer to Medicare levels Reduce wait times and alleviate overcrowding in emergency rooms and urgent care facilities Fund more GME residency programs to address the physician shortage Fund loan repayments for physicians and allied health professionals Help hire more first responders and paramedics to reduce emergency response times We strongly urge you to vote YES. County and State-Level Candidates ACCMA’s and CMA’s Political Action Committees (ACCPAC and CALPAC) are proud to support a number of candidates running for local and state office. These candidates have expressed support for ACCMA and CMA’s views regarding local health care issues. In addition to endorsing all incumbents, the endorsed candidates for open seats are below: John Bauters, Alameda County Board of Supervisors District 5 Jesse Arreguín, Senate District 7 Jerry McNerney, Senate District 5 Tim Grayson, Senate District 9 Anamarie Avila Farias, Assembly District 15 Resources There are several ways that you can vote in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. In Person. Find your closest in person voting center Alameda County: https://alamedacountyca.gov/rovapps/maps/vca/?electionid=252 Contra Costa County: https://www.contracostavote.gov/elections/how-to-vote/in-person-voting/ Drop-Off Ballot. Find your nearest Ballot Drop Box Alameda County: https://alamedacountyca.gov/rovapps/maps/ballotdropbox_map.htm Contra Costa County: https://www.contracostavote.gov/elections/official-ballot-drop-boxes/ Mail in your ballot Your ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your local election office no later than 7 days after Election Day. Alameda County Election Information Contra Costa County Election Information California Statewide Ballot Measures October 30, 2024 Advocacy, Legislation
ACCMA sends letter to Alameda County Board of Supervisor Keith Carson ACCMA sent a letter to Alameda County Board of Supervisor Keith Carson, who is the Chair of the Personnel/Administration/Legislation Committee (PAL), urging him and his colleagues to support Proposition 35. Proposition 35 is on the ballot this November and will protect and expand access to care to primary care and specialty care physicians, community health clinics, hospitals, emergency rooms, family planning and mental health providers. October 2, 2024 Advocacy, Legislation
ACCMA Sends Govenor Newsom a Letter Urging Him to Sign AB 2271 ACCMA sent a letter to Governor Newsom urging him to sign Assembly Bill ( AB) 2271, which will forgive over $17 million in state loans and protect approximately 400,000, mostly low-income Medi-Cal and Medicare patients, who rely on St. Rose Hospital’s services. ACCMA members include physicians who practice at St. Rose Hospital and understand the need to keep the hospital open. St. Rose is the only safety-net healthcare provider with emergency and maternity care services in southern Alameda County. Closing the hospital would result in even more crowding in our emergency rooms and longer wait times. Additionally, it would further exacerbate the disparities in timely access to care for Medi-Cal patients and availability of providers who are able to serve them. October 2, 2024 Advocacy, Legislation
In Memoriam | ACCMA Member Obituaries August We regret to inform you of the passing of the following ACCMA members: Dr. Robert L. Smith (1938-2024) Dr. Lionel W. Sorenson, Jr. (1927-2024) Dr. Fredric N. Herskowitz (1945- 2024) We thank and honor them for their contributions to our community and the practice of medicine September 4, 2024 In Memoriam
ACCMA to Meet with Federal Representatives During the month of August, ACCMA members will have the opportunity to meet with their Members of Congress. These important meetings are an opportunity to discuss the issues of highest priority to our physician members, including the need for Medicare payment reform to ensure an adequate number of physicians to provide timely care to seniors in our community, reducing Medicare administrative burdens that are negatively impacting patient care, ensuring that we are building a pipeline of young physicians by increasing the number of Graduate Medical Education residency training positions, and expanding access to care by permanently extending the expiring telehealth waivers. If you would like to attend one of these meetings, or are interested in learning more, please contact ACCMA Associate Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Brandon Azevedo, at bazevedo@accma.org. September 4, 2024 Advocacy, Legislation
ACCPAC and CalPAC Support November Electoral Candidates Election day is on November 5th. ACCPAC and CalPAC are proud to support a number of candidates running for local and state office. These candidates have expressed support for ACCMA and CMA’s views regarding local health care issues. In addition to endorsing all incumbents, the endorsed candidates for open seats are below: John Bauters, Alameda County Board of Supervisors District 5 Jesse Arreguín, Senate District 7 Jerry McNerney, Senate District 5 Tim Grayson, Senate District 9 Anamarie Avila Farias, Assembly District 15 September 4, 2024 Activities and Events, Advocacy, Legislation
ACCMA Signs Onto Two Clean Air Letters ACCMA has co-signed two letters related to clean air at the request of the American Lung Association. The first letter urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to authorize a series of waivers that will enable California to implement clean air programs that are projected to deliver over $116 billion in health benefits and save over 11,600 lives over the course of the programs in California alone. The second letter calls on the EPA to authorize California’s proposed standards that will transition large truck fleets, which are a major source of harmful air pollutants along with toxic diesel particulate matter, to zero-emission vehicles. September 4, 2024 Advocacy, Legislation
President's Page: The Fight is On to Boost Medi-Cal Funding ACCMA, in partnership with the California Medical Association (CMA), other component medical societies, and a broad coalition of health care organizations, will be working hard this fall to ensure Proposition 35 is approved by voters in the November 5th election. When enacted, Prop 35 will generate between $6-9 billion annually to: Expand access to care by substantially increasing reimbursement rates for primary care and specialty care, bringing rates closer to Medicare levels Reduce wait times and alleviate overcrowding in emergency rooms and urgent care facilities Fund more GME residency programs to address the physician shortage Fund loan repayments for physicians and allied health professionals Help hire more first responders and paramedics to reduce emergency response times Prop 35 is backed by both the California Democratic and Republican parties, and all major health care advocacy groups in the state, including CMA, Planned Parenthood, California Hospital Association, California Dental Association and the California Primary Care Association. Although there is no official registered opposition so far, Gov. Gavin Newsom has in recent weeks indicated he will oppose the measure so there are fewer restrictions on how legislators and the governor spend the money. The basic premise of Prop 35 is simple: health care dollars should be spent on health care. Prop 35 will extend an existing tax on Managed Care Organizations (the “MCO tax”) that has been in place for nearly two decades to leverage billions in federal funds for California. Prop 35 will prevent the state from redirecting these funds for non-health care purposes, capping administrative costs at 1% and ensuring the remaining 99% is spent directly on expanding access to health care. Prop 35 also restricts the legislature from increasing taxes on private health insurance plans, thereby protecting health care consumers from higher health care premiums. Overcoming potential opposition from a popular governor will require hard work, and we need your help. Physicians are trusted messengers across regional and partisan lines and are important advocates to ensure California votes Yes on 35 to protect and expand access to health care. Here are some key actions you can take: Share Your Story: In your own words, tell why you support Prop 35. Post on Social Media: Share with your friends and family why you are voting #Yeson35. Order Campaign Swag: Request campaign materials for you to show your support. Email a Friend: Tell your friends and family why you support YES on 35! Download Materials: Get the latest campaign materials. Visit voteyes35.com to take action and learn more about Prop 35. September 4, 2024 Advocacy, From the President, Hot Topics, Legislation