On April 27, California’s legislative leaders joined with Californians Allied for Patient Protection, Consumer Attorneys of California and both the Yes and No campaigns of an upcoming ballot measure to announce that a new consensus has been reached on legislation to modernize the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA). Once passed and signed by the Governor, this legislative framework will preclude a costly ballot measure that was set to appear on the November ballot.

The legislation will most notably adjust MICRA’s cap on non-economic damages, which is currently limited to $250,000. This new law will increase the existing limit to $350,000 for non-death cases and $500,000 for wrongful death cases on the effective date of Jan. 1, 2023, followed by incremental increases over 10 years to $750,000 for non-death cases and $1,000,000 for wrongful death cases, after which a 2.0% annual inflationary adjustment will apply. Read details here.

For more information, including the CMA President's letter to members, MICRA fact sheet and full CAPP statement, visit the CMA website. CalMatters and the Los Angeles Times also covered the agreement.

2306 Magnolia Lane, Healdsburg (less than 12 min from north Santa Rosa)

Join your colleagues and share a toast with the physician leaders of SMLMA and guest, CMA CEO Dustin Corcoran—who will address issues affecting the business and practice of medicine, including the recent historic settlement of the MICRA challenge. See flier for event details.

SMLMA members and spouse or guest: No charge

Nonmembers: $50 per person

RSVP to Rachel Pandolfi: 707-525-4375 or rachel@smlma.org

SMLMA is proud to once again be the on-site first-aid sponsor for Transcendence Theatre Company’s 2022 outdoor concert season at Jack London State Historic Park. Performances run weekends from June through September 2022 in a spectacular setting under the stars.

SMLMA hosts the first-aid tent staffed by volunteer medical professionals. Physicians, NPs, Nurses, EMTs and retired physicians are eligible to volunteer via the sign-up link below. Choose primary and/or backup roles for open dates shown on the form. We provide everything you need to respond to and treat minor injuries to patrons and artists on-site (bee stings, heat exhaustion, sprained ankles, etc.) Anything major is only a 911 call away to waiting emergency personnel.

Volunteer benefits: Volunteers receive 2 show tickets with VIP seating; VIP parking; complimentary dinner from the on-site food truck for you and your guest; and the appreciation of many for your service! Those who volunteer 3+ times throughout the 2022 season will also receive a $100 gift certificate from SMLMA to Stark's Steak & Seafood Restaurant in Santa Rosa.

To support the citizens of Ukraine, millions of whom have been forcibly displaced, the California Medical Association and its foundation, Physicians for a Healthy California (PHC), are raising funds to support the International Medical Corps. As recently as last week, this organization has directly reached 2.8+ million children, women and men. Please donate today if you can help support the work. Donations are tax-deductible.

Noting the continued importance of community vaccinators in the efforts to increase vaccine uptake—particularly for our state’s pediatric population—the California Medical Association’s foundation, Physicians for a Healthy California (PHC), has launched the KidsVaxGrant program, which will award grants of up to $15,000 to Vaccines for Children (VFC) providers. Administered by PHC, the California Department of Public Health is investing approximately $10 million to fund the KidsVaxGrant program.

The deadline to apply for for the KidsVaxGrant program is May 27, 2022. Grants are awarded on a first come, first-served basis, so early submissions are strongly encouraged.

Visit KidsVaxGrant.org to apply and for more information about the program.

Download and share or print these charts and guidelines from California's COVID-19 vaccination program.

• Transport Refrigeration Info Sheet

• State Allocations

• Reporting Doses, Spoiled, Expired, Wasted

• Reporting Requirements

• COVID-19 Vaccine Product

• COVID-19 Vaccine Timing by Age

Save these links in your browser for quick reference. The county websites contain frequently updated information for COVID-19 testing locations and vaccine events that you can share with patients.

Virtual Grand Rounds: Updates in COVID-19 and Novel Surveillance Methods

Join us to learn from the experts, including Dr. Erica Pan and Dr. Carol Glaser, to review the epidemiology of COVID-19 in California and elsewhere, and to learn more about exciting disease surveillance tools.1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. REGISTER HERE

Sutter Health Network

The Sutter Health Virtual Grand Rounds is a Continuing Education (CE) webinar series hosted by Sutter Health Network providers for all medical professionals across Northern California. Interactive Q&A session takes place with each live event. Learn about the series here.

Presented by Manoj K. Mittal, MD, and Ilana Spokoyny, MD | REGISTER HERE

Presented by Simran Thiara, MD, Manjinder Uppal, DO, and Natasha Zohuri, MD REGISTER HERE

Presented by Sharon Chan, MPH, CGC | REGISTER HERE

Presented by Brian G. Tang, MD | REGISTER HERE

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit Designation for 1.0 contact hour REGISTER HERE

The SMLMA/SCMAAF Health Careers Scholarship Committee still needs two physicians to fill vacancies on the committee. Not a big time requirement and a very gratifying way to deepen your commitment to our medical community. Committee members meet twice a year and select recipients for scholarships to pursue education to become healthcare providers. Meetings may be virtual or in person. Additional bonus is to attend a luncheon (COVID permitting) to meet the scholarship recipients in person. For more information, contact Loie Sauer, MD, 707-484-6090 or lsauer@sonic.net.

A big shoutout to Cindy Jones, RN, for her extensive hours of service to SMLMA and our community! Cindy volunteered many hours at our COVID-19 vaccine clinics, hosted our first-aid tent at Jack London Park numerous times last summer, and most recently staffed SMLMA's first-aid tent all day at the Wiffle Ball Tournament in Petaluma. Thank you, Cindy. We appreciate you and your generous, positive spirit.

Sebastopol medical office space (1,232 sq. ft.) for lease in a prime location. Please call 707-823-3210

SMLMA members can place FREE classified ads in News Briefs. (Cost for nonmember physicians and the general public is $1 per word.) To place a classified ad or display banner, contact Susan Gumucio at susan@scma.org or 707-481-8995.

Don't miss Financial Therapy, a new video series created specifically for physicians, nurses and PAs.*

Contact: Russell Van Sistine, CFP^® at 707-708-3453 or russell@sonomawealthadvisors.com

Visit Sonoma Wealth Advisors' website page

You can now save 10% to 20% on your medical, surgical, and office supplies by joining the free group purchasing program offered by the Cooperative of American Physicians (CAP). Normally available to CAP member practices exclusively, these practice discounts are now accessible by all independent California practices. You will receive the same volume pricing on supplies and equipment as the nation’s largest health systems—and in most cases, you won't even have to change how you order and receive invoices from your current suppliers.

Contact Dorine Leong at 650-543-2183 or DLeong@CAPphysicians.com.

 Request an instant quote today to see how much

Please join us in thanking these dedicated physicians for their many years of membership and service to the practice of medicine and our community. A special round of applause for all.

Click the image below to see local benefits in full measure. All this and more PLUS programs and resources available from CMA. In today’s environment of rapid change, the SMLMA and CMA provide unwavering support for your profession, practice, and patients. Membership is a sound investment in your future. Join today.