ACCMA News

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 Clean Air Letter

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.

President's Page: Mental Health is a Top Priority

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and I wanted to use this month’s column to highlight some ACCMA activities that support the mental health of our members and the patients we serve. 

ACCMA continues to offer support for physician members through sponsored psychotherapy sessions and confidential peer support from fellow physicians. Our Wellbeing Committee  members have curated a list of experienced mental health professionals who have worked with physicians before, and ACCMA will cover the costs of up to four sessions for any East Bay physician seeking psychotherapy from these clinicians. For those who don’t want psychotherapy, but would value connecting with a supportive peer, you can also contact the ACCMA to be confidentially connected to a member of our Wellbeing Committee who can offer confidential peer support over the phone. This includes support for physicians undergoing litigation or Medical Board investigations. 

Another important component of mental health is feeling connected to community. ACCMA offers many opportunities for physicians to engage with one another and build community. We have started to offer more social events where physicians and their families can connect with colleagues around shared interests and activities. Some of these events are organized by the ACCMA staff while others are organized directly by ACCMA members themselves with financial support from ACCMA. You can find a list of upcoming events on the last page of the Bulletin or by visiting www.accma.org.

On the advocacy side, we are focused on a number of mental health related priorities. We are supporting AB 2164 to remove the requirement for physicians to disclose if they received mental health treatment when applying for a medical license. This may unintentionally dissuade doctors from getting the help they need and stigmatizes physicians who seek mental health services. ACCMA also sent a letter recently to the Department of Health Care Services urging changes to the new system for Medi-Cal youth and children to access mental health services, calling for the use of a clinically validated screening tool and for allowing physicians to directly refer patients rather than going through county health departments for additional screening. We also recently sent a letter to the FDA and DEA asking them to take immediate action to address the pervasive
drug shortages for ADHD medications.

I hope these ACCMA resources and activities are meaningful to you, and that you are able to use Mental Health Awareness Month to reflect on optimizing your own mental health and the mental health of your patients.
 

ACCMA Supports AB 1975

Please read the letter below from ACCMA President, Dr. Albert L. Brooks, to Assembly Health Committee Chair, Mia Bonta. The ACCMA proudly supports AB 1975 which would transition medically supportive food and nutrition interventions from pilot services in CalAIM to permanent Medi-Cal benefits.