ACCMA Delegation Advances Key Priorities at CMA House of Delegates October 23, 2025 Advocacy, General, Hot Topics, Legislation 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.