ACCMA News

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. 

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.   

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

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.

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

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.

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 5^th 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.

Take Action Now: Help CMA Streamline Prior Authorization

Help reform prior authorization by urging your legislator to vote YES on SB 516. SB 516 will reduce the number of prior authorization requirements and ensure your resources and time are invested in patient care, not unnecessary health plan bureaucracy.

The legislation requires health plans to submit a prior authorization report to the state with code approval rates and will remove prior authorization for all codes with a 90% or higher approval rate. The data reporting will spotlight how health plans are using prior authorization to deny care and gives the state authority to ban the use of prior authorization on a code-by-code-basis. 

SB 516 will help streamline your work and ensure that health plans don’t get in between you and your patients.

Take Action Now!
 

In Memoriam | ACCMA Member Obituaries

We regret to inform you of the passing of the following ACCMA members: Doctors Robert L. Smith, Lionel W. Sorenson, Jr., and Fredric N. Herskowitz.  We thank and honor them for their contributions to our community and the practice of medicine.

Robert L. Smith, MD (1938 – 2024) 

Lionel W. Sorenson, Jr., MD (1927 – 2024) 

Fredric Herskowitz, MD (1945 – 2024) 

Urge Your Legislators to Support Assembly Bill 2164

Proposed Bill 2164 will remove the requirement for physicians to disclose if they received mental health treatment to apply for a medical license. The licensure application for physicians and surgeons might unintentionally dissuade doctors from seeking mental health support. By sending a message to your legislators. Your voice will ensure that physicians receive the necessary support to excel and deliver optimal care to their patients.