2015 Legislative Wrap Up It is difficult to imagine, but the 2015 legislative year was even more challenging than the 2014 legislative year, which included the diversion of staff resources to defeat Proposition 46. With a third of legislators (40 out of 120) serving freshman terms, the California Medical Association’s (CMA) Government Relations staff spent a considerable amount of time during the first quarter educating new legislators and their staff about the mission and policies of CMA. Through our educational efforts, we successfully stopped the introduction of a number of harmful legislative proposals and shifted focus to the passage of CMA’s sponsored bill package. December 1, 2015 California Legislation, Legislation Vaccines, CURES, Physician Aid-in-Dying, Scope of Practice, Workers' Comp 0 0 Comment Read More »
Significant New California Laws of Interest to Physicians for 2016 The California Legislature had an active year, passing many new laws affecting health care. In particular, bills making major changes to state immunization requirements and end-of-life options were enacted. There was also a strong focus on new legislation related to allied health professionals, mental health, medical records and privacy, and reproductive issues. November 23, 2015 California Legislation, Legislation CA, Laws, Legislation 0 0 Comment Read More »
California State Budget Update Today, the Governor and legislative leaders announced an agreement on the 2015-16 State Budget Act and have settled the major issues and spending priority differences between the administration and the Legislative branch. One key point is that the budget includes $40 million to expand Medi-Cal to cover all low-income undocumented children effective May 1, 2016 ($132 million when fully implemented). June 16, 2015 California Legislation, Legislation, Medi-Cal, Resources 2016, Budget, California, Medi-Cal 0 0 Comment Read More »
It's Finally Over! The Medicare SGR is Dead! Last night the Senate approved H.R. 2: The Medicare SGR Reform and the Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act which repeals Medicare’s sustainable growth rate formula, hours before double-digit payment cuts to physicians were set to take effect. The bill has been sent to the White House where President Obama is expected to sign it into law. April 15, 2015 Federal Legislation, Legislation, Medicare, Resources Boxer, H.R.2., Repeal, SGR, AMA, CMA, Cuts, Feinstein, Medicare, RCMA 0 0 Comment Read More »
House Landslide Vote to Pass SGR Today, RCMA/CMA congratulates the U.S. House of Representatives for passing monumental Medicare reform and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) extension, and urgently asks their colleagues in the Senate to do the same before spring recess. The 392-37 vote clearly shows that now is the time to make Medicare reform a reality. March 26, 2015 Federal Legislation, Legislation Congress, House, Senate, SGR, Federal, Legislation, Medicare 0 0 Comment Read More »
The Ultimate Measure - CMA's 2014 Legislative Wrap Up For more than 150 years, the California Medical Association has upheld the banner for practicing physicians. Year after year, the state medical society has partnered with the local medical societies to diligently strive to ensure the care and well-being of patients and to protect public health by working for the betterment of the profession. In years of prosperity, the challenge of carrying out this duty is restrained. In years of controversy, the same duty is laborious. This year was full of controversies. December 15, 2014 California Legislation, Legislation California, Legislation, 2014 0 0 Comment Read More »
New Healthcare Laws for 2015 New Healthcare Laws for 2015 November 5, 2014 California Legislation, Legislation , Healthcare Laws, California Legislation 0 0 Comment Read More »
Voters resoundingly defeat Prop. 46 Voters resoundingly defeat Prop. 46 November 5, 2014 California Legislation, Legislation 2014 Election, MICRA, Trial Lawyers, Prop 46 0 0 Comment Read More »
Proposition 46 Update From the President of RCMA No On Prop 46 October 23, 2014 California Legislation, Legislation, RCMA/CMA No on 46, 46 0 0 Comment Read More »
Proposition 46 isn't the CURE(S) On November 4, voters will be asked to weigh in on Proposition 46, a costly and deceptive measure funded and sponsored almost exclusively by trial lawyers. In addition to raising health care costs and reducing access to quality medical care, Prop. 46 September 30, 2014 California Legislation, Legislation Proposition 46, 2014 Election, Legislation, MICRA 0 0 Comment Read More »