Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It

May 6, 2022

CMA Issues Statement on Leaked Roe v. Wade Decision


Yesterday, CMA President Dr. Robert E. Wailes released a statement regarding the leak of SCOTUS' opinion that would overturn abortion rights: “We are gravely concerned that the U.S. Supreme Court seems poised to overturn the protections offered by Roe v. Wade and put the lives and welfare of millions of women at risk... This draft opinion, if it becomes final, would undermine decades of progress in women’s health care. It is a direct attack on the practice of medicine and patient reproductive health outcomes...” Click here to read the full statement.

MICRA Modernization Legislation Passes Senate Judiciary Committee


CMA President Robert E. Wailes testified on Tuesday in the California Senate Judiciary Committee in support of AB 35 which will implement the historic agreement reached by Californians Allied for Patient Protection (CAPP) and the Consumer Attorneys of California to modernize MICRA. The modernized framework, which unanimously passed out of the committee, will ensure that health care is accessible and affordable, while balancing compensatory justice for injured patients. 

Federal Report Finds Medicare Advantage Plans Often Deny Necessary Care


HHS released a report last week that found every year Medicare managed care organizations inappropriately deny medically necessary care to tens of thousands of people enrolled in private Medicare Advantage plans. The HHS Officer of Inspector General (OIG) reported that Medicare Advantage plans denied prior authorization requests and payment requests that met Medicare coverage and billing rules. Use your voice to fight against prior authorization red tape by sharing your story here.

Women Physicians Invited to Participate in Survey on Wellbeing


Physicians for a Healthy California and University of California Health are extending their research on the well-being of California women physicians through a grant from The Physicians Foundation. Women physicians licensed by the Medical Board of California are invited to participate in an anonymous online survey. The purpose of this project is to assess different aspects of well-being and obtain information on work experiences from women physicians in California, as well as to identify factors that impact well-being and career satisfaction. 

Medical Board Eliminates Plastic Physician Licenses


The Medical Board of California recently phased out plastic medical license cards. In lieu of the old plastic cards, physicians can now use the medical board’s new "Print Your Own" Wallet License Generator that allows individuals with current licenses to generate a digital license and print it on any printer, or house the card electronically.

Nominate an Outstanding Colleague for 2022 CMA Service Awards


Every year, the California Medical Association (CMA) honors inspirational physician members during its annual House of Delegates in October. CMA is now accepting nominations for several awards. The deadline for all nominations is Thursday, June 10. Click here for more information.

Statewide Mental Health and Addiction Funding Announcement: Bridge Navigator Program Launch


DHCS invests $40 million in to support addiction and behavioral health treatment. The CalBridge Behavioral Health Navigator Program (Bridge Navigator Program) is making addiction and mental health treatment accessible statewide through hospital emergency departments, with support available for every ED in the state. Funding is available now. Click here to learn more and access the application.

Fight Climate Change and Save Money


Physicians who adopt environmentally sustainable activities will provide long-lasting benefits for the planet and their patients, while receiving a financial payoff starting as soon as their practice’s very next electric bill. Find a newly published AMA guide “Lower costs by going green!”. Check out our on-demand webinar to learn more about adding environmental sustainability to your practice.

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WEBINARS & EVENTS

Restoring Joy to the Practice of Medicine Together  

On-Demand | CME Available 

  

Physicians passionate about wellness from medical groups, health clinics, medical staffs, residency programs, and other physician organizations throughout the Bay Area are invited to this free online conference over two half-days on April 21 and 28. Keynote speakers are Marie Brown, MD, AMA Director of Practice Redesign; Paul DeChant, MD, Healthcare Consultant; and John Chuck, MD, Former TPMG Regional Chair for Physician Health and Wellness Leaders. Three panel discussions will cover practice improvements in action; developing evidence-based interventions; and transforming leadership for a culture of wellness.  

  

Register here

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

Tuesday, May 10 | 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm 

FREE to all | CME Available | Hosted by CMA 

 

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, public health experts are watching vigilantly and trying to predict what is to come. Will there be another surge? If so, when? Alongside traditional surveillance methods, several novel techniques are being utilized to understand the dynamics of disease spread, including wastewater surveillance and dog-sniffing. Join CMA 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. 

 

Register here.

Protecting Mental Health in Disasters: COVID-19 and Beyond

Wednesday, May 11 | 10:00 am to 11:00 am

FREE | Hosted by AMA


COVID-19 is the most far-reaching and long-lasting disaster in generations, with a long "tail" of expected mental health effects impacting patients, providers, and their families. Understanding the range of mental health effects and aspects of risk and resilience are critical to effective response and recovery. In this AMA STEPS Forward™ webinar, speaker Joshua C. Morganstein, MD, CAPT, discusses how the use of evidence-based early interventions by individuals, organizations, and leaders can reduce distress, foster resilience, enhance operational sustainment, and help treat psychiatric disorders that may emerge.


Register here.

Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder Course 

Saturday, May 21 | 9:00 am to 1:30 pm 

Live Webinar Training | Hosted by the American Society of Addiction Medicine 

 

This 8-hour, blended course (4-hour on-demand, 4-hour live virtual) provides required education to qualify for the waiver to prescribe buprenorphine in an office-based setting and covers essential information for providers to identify, assess, diagnose, and manage patients with opioid use disorder (OUD).  The target audience for this introductory activity includes physicians who wish to obtain a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine in office-based treatment of opioid use disorders, and clinicians and healthcare team members working with providers who prescribe buprenorphine in office-based treatment of opioid use disorders. 

 

Register here.

34th Annual Virtual Conference on Physicians’ Wellbeing

Friday, July 15 | 8:00 am to 12:15 pm 

CME Available 

 

Presented by Riverside County Medical Association, this program is designed to assist hospitals and health care organizations comply with Title 22 Regulations on matters related to health and wellness, addiction, mental illness and behavioral issues of physicians and other health care providers. This event is endorsed by CMA. Registration is $169, with a discounted price of $50 for residents and medical students. 

 

Register here

ACCMA's On-Demand Library

To access all on-demand programs, go to https://www.pathlms.com/medical-society/courses 
 

QUESTIONS/CONCERNS?

Please contact ACCMA at 510-654-5383 or accma@accma.orgwith any questions or concerns you have.
  
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