ACCMA News

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.

CDPH Updated Vaccine Guidance

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has released updated vaccine guidance for the 2025–26 respiratory virus season to protect against COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. Following the passage of AB 144 on September 17, 2025, most commercial insurers and Medi-Cal managed care plans must cover CDPH-recommended vaccines, ensuring broader access for patients. In collaboration with the West Coast Health Alliance, CDPH continues to emphasize evidence-based recommendations and transparent data-sharing. Physicians are encouraged to review the updated guidance, counsel patients—especially those at higher risk—and verify insurance coverage when needed.

Key 2025–26 Vaccine Recommendations 
Physicians are encouraged to review CDPH’s vaccine recommendations: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/public-health-for-all/publichealthforall.aspx   

ACCMA will continue to provide timely updates to support physicians in protecting their patients and communities.

President's Page: Defending Science and Protecting Vaccine Access

This summer, the Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association (ACCMA) published an op-ed in the East Bay Times warning of the growing threat posed by the federal government's politicization of vaccine policy. Un­der Health and Human Services Sec­retary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., we are witnessing a troubling shift: fringe  theories are no longer confined to social media - they are now shaping national health policy. 

As physicians, we know that vaccines are one of the greatest public health achievements in modern medicine. From smallpox to polio to measles, immu­nizations have saved millions of lives and prevented untold suffering. But that legacy is now under threat. 

Since his confirmation, Secretary Kennedy has taken alarming steps: canceling scientific meetings, firing all 17 members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and replacing them with individuals lacking expertise in immunol­ogy and infectious disease. He has pushed forward decisions without public input or scientific review - most notably, a recommendation to eliminate thimerosal from flu vaccines, despite longstanding CDC guidance affirming its safety. And recently, Secretary Kennedy cancelled over $500 million in contracts to develop mRNA vaccines, which will delay development of this cutting-edge vaccine technology. These actions undermine the credibility of our institutions and inject political ideology into what should be apolitical, science-based processes.

As vaccine confidence declines nationally, we are al­ready seeing the consequences locally: rising vaccine hesitancy, declining childhood immunization rates, and renewed outbreaks of preventable diseases. 

In this moment, Alameda and Contra Costa counties must be vigilant. That's why ACCMA is urging local officials to continue investing in evidence-based public health, to resist misinformation, and to ensure our communities - especially our most vulnerable populations-remain protected. 

We also call on you, our physician members, to keep doing what you do best: serving as trusted voices in the exam room and in your communities. The stakes are high, but we have the tools, the knowledge, and the platform to make a difference. 

We must continue to speak with clarity and unity: Vaccines work. Science matters. And we will not stand by silently while either is dismantled. 

This issue's guest columnist is Doctor Robert Edelman, ACCMA Past President and co-author of the op-ed that was published in the East Bay Times. 

ACCMA Honors Member of the Month

Each month, ACCMA proudly honors a you know a physician who goes above and beyond, creating a lasting positive impact in their community? Share their story with us! ACCMA is seeking nominees for Member of the Month to be highlighted on its social media platforms.  Do you know a physician who goes above and beyond to serve the community and help others? Maybe you know a physician who made an outstanding positive impact?  We want to know. Please complete the form below and tell us why your nominee should be recognized.  Thank you for your participation in acknowledging and celebrating our dedicated members.
Please direct any questions to Christine Maki, Membership Engagement Manager, at cmaki@accma.org.

Nominate a Member: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=BXUhrzImSUuTLiprh_AdVPfUCzPzrXlLnIgmXPPpM3ZUNFJWRjFLQlFTMFJJTFlNVFpCSUpUQzVLWi4u&utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&_kx=W5Q3PVDJimNRin5FqctZWA.Y8xNpq

ACCMA/CMA Membership Invoice Is Coming Soon!

ACCMA/CMA Membership Invoice Is Coming Soon!

We’re gearing up for the 2026 membership cycle—and want to make sure you’re ready to lock in your early bird discount! Here’s what to know:  Invoices will be emailed in late September and mailed in early October. Early bird pricing ends November 30—a full month earlier than in past years. New this year: The membership drop date is now February 1. To avoid delays (and missed savings), please take a moment to confirm your contact info is current. Email:  accma@accma.org Call: (510) 654-5383 Thank you for standing with us and supporting organized medicine through ACCMA and CMA.

DEA & CMS Warn Physicians About Scams

Two federal agencies have recently issued warnings about scams targeting physicians in attempts to gain access to medical records or personal information and even to fraudulently obtain payments. In one scheme, the scammer—presumably seeking personal information—impersonates a Drug Enforcement Administration agent and tells physicians that they are under investigation. In the other scheme, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services says Medicare providers and suppliers are being targeted and are receiving requests for medical records or payment of alleged Medicare debts. https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/sustainability/dea-and-cms-warn-physicians-they-are-being-targeted-scams