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October 4, 2026
News and Resources for Physicians and their staff in Kern County
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Join KCMS for an evening of connection, conversation, and community engagement, with delicious hors d'oeuvres, delightful libations, and a chance to win fun, Fall-inspired door prizes!
October 13, 2026
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM PDT
Chef Lino's The Phoenix at Sundale Country Club
6218 Sundale Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93309
Immediately following the social hour, KCMS will host a brief town hall on California’s 22nd Congressional District focused on dialogue and civic engagement.
Invite your spouse, colleagues, and healthcare partners! Each new physician guest and their invitee will receive an additional door prize ticket! Let's make it a great turnout for our candidates.
KCMS does not endorse or oppose candidates. Both candidates have received the invitation. Randy Villegas has accepted, while Congressman David Valadao’s invitation remains pending. KCMS will provide an update if participation is confirmed.
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KCMS heads to the 2026 CMA House of Delegates
Kern County Medical Sociey members are heading to the 2026 California Medical Association (CMA) House of Delegates (HOD), bringing the voice and perspective of Kern County physicians to the statewide conversation.
The HOD, scheduled to take place in Sacramento on October 17-18, brings physician leaders from across California together to discuss issues affecting physicians, patients, and the future of healthcare and to help shape CMA policy and advocacy priorities.
Representing Kern County
KCMS will have strong representation at this year's HOD:
- Dr. Chang Na – District VI Delegate
- Dr. Rahila Andrews-Steele – District VI Delegate
- Dr. Nadeem Goraya – District VI Alternate Delegate
- Dr. Soham Shah – CMA Early Career Physician Section
- Dr. Steven Wang – CMA Board of Trustees
Our delegates and physician leaders help ensure that the priorities and experiences of Kern County physicians are represented at the state level. As voting members of the District VI delegation, Dr. Na, Dr. Andrews-Steele, and Dr. Goraya participate in discussions and vote on resolutions that help shape CMA policy and priorities, giving Kern County physicians a direct voice in statewide organized medicine.
Through KCMS's partnership with CMA, our members have a voice in statewide advocacy on issues such as physician workforce, healthcare access, reimbursement, scope of practice, prior authorization, administrative burden, and the future of medicine.
KCMS is proud to represent Kern County physicians and bring their voice to the table at the 2026 CMA House of Delegates.
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CMA sues state to enforce Proposition 35 and protect Medi-Cal funding
The California Medical Association (CMA) and the California Association of Health Plans filed a lawsuit directly with the California Supreme Court challenging the state’s attempt to circumvent Proposition 35 by diverting dedicated Medi-Cal funding while increasing taxes on commercial health coverage beyond voter-approved limits.
CMA led the broad coalition that drafted and worked to pass Prop. 35 in November 2024. The measure made California’s managed care organization (MCO) tax permanent under state law, subject to federal approval, and directed revenue toward strengthening Medi-Cal and improving access to care. More...
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California physicians urged to vote early as 2026 general election approaches
With the 2026 general election just over a month away, county elections officials will soon begin mailing ballots to every registered voter in California.
CMA's Physician Voter Guide
California officials are strongly encouraging voters not to wait until Election Day. The state recommends returning mail ballots as soon as they are received and mailing them at least seven days before Election Day. Voters can also bypass the mail entirely by returning their ballot at an official ballot drop box, county elections office or voting location. More...
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Governor signs CMA-sponsored bill to protect against unfair claims denials
Governor Gavin Newsom yesterday signed legislation co-sponsored by the California Medical Association (CMA) and the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) District IX that will ensure equitable and fair compensation for physicians and health care providers delivering medically necessary services.
Authored by Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D., Senate Bill 1049 establishes a reasonable and fair timeline for physicians to correct minor billing errors without facing unwarranted financial penalties or delayed reimbursements. More...
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Governor signs CMA-sponsored bill to modernize e-bike safety laws and protect youth
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 2346, a California Medical Association (CMA)-sponsored bill that modernizes e-bike safety laws and strengthens protections for children across the state.
Authored by Assemblymembers Lori Wilson and Marc Berman, AB 2346 addresses a rapidly growing public health crisis. As electric bicycles have surged in popularity across California, physicians have seen a corresponding increase in e-bike-related injuries—particularly among young people—presenting in our emergency departments, trauma centers and children’s hospitals. This new law puts common-sense safety measures in place to reduce injuries and protect young riders and pedestrians. More...
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CMA webinar explores how to reframe conversations with families to encourage healthier social media habits
Concern about social media use among children and adolescents has fueled years of warnings about screen time and potential harms. But that approach can also leave young people and families feeling guilt and shame without giving them practical tools to navigate digital media in healthier ways.
The California Medical Association’s (CMA) next Virtual Grand Rounds, Social Media: Moving Past Panic to Evidence-Based Care in the Digital Age, will explore a different approach. More...
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DHCS to begin phased Medi-Cal ORP enforcement in February 2027
The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced that it will begin phased enforcement in February 2027 of the requirement that Medi-Cal providers who order, refer or prescribe services be enrolled in fee-for-service Medi-Cal under their individual Type 1 National Provider Identifier (NPI).
Enforcement will be implemented in phases based on the type of service and provider. DHCS indicated during a recent provider town hall that the first phase will begin in February 2027, with additional provider types and services becoming subject to enforcement over the following 12 months. More...
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Medi-Cal reminds fee-for-service physicians to update public provider directory
The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is reminding providers to keep their information in the public Medi-Cal fee-for-service provider directory current. DHCS requires enrolled fee-for-service providers to review and update their directory information at least quarterly, during January, April, July and October. Providers can make corrections at any time. More...
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5 things patients should know about GLP-1 medications
Ashley Gibson lives with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), a hormonal and metabolic disorder that can cause weight gain or make it difficult to lose weight and until recently was known as PCOS. As part of her treatment, she takes a glucagon-like peptide-1 medication (GLP-1)—which is prescribed off-label for that indication.
Prior to taking the medication, Gibson was able to lose six pounds. Since starting the GLP-1 treatment, she lost 55 pounds over a similar time period.
"In my first year of being on a GLP-1 medication, I read 150 books because I was not constantly chasing the next meal," Gibson said on the latest episode of the “Health vs. Hype” podcast. "The amount of brainpower that goes into constantly thinking about your next meal, if you take that out of the picture, just think about all the things that you could do." More...
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Flu, COVID-19, RSV immunizations: What to know this respiratory virus season
Four leading organizations that represent doctors have made immunization recommendations for the coming respiratory virus season, which is often called the cold-and-flu season. In the recommendations, these physician organizations clearly outlined their immunization advice for patients, all the way from birth to older adulthood, as well as for those who are pregnant or have compromised immune systems.
The respiratory virus season vaccine recommendations come from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).
The recommendations are available at an AMA website, SpreadTheFacts.org, and they were informed by a review process to understand vaccine safety and effectiveness for the 2026–2027 respiratory virus season. The effort was launched by the AMA and the Vaccine Integrity Project in February. More...
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Free Webinar on Improving Prior Authorization Success Rates
Prior authorization requirements continue to create barriers to timely patient care, with 95% of physicians reporting care delays associated with the process.* CAP’s free webinar, presented by the experts at MedCycle Solutions, will help you and your staff improve authorization success rates, reduce administrative burdens, streamline workflows, and accelerate reimbursement.
Register Now
Improving Prior Authorization Success Rates
Date: Wednesday, September 30
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. PDT
This webinar will help attendees:
- Understand the prior authorization process, from benefit verification through approval and documentation.
- Identify common errors and breakdowns that lead to delays, denials, and lost revenue.
- Apply best practices for submitting complete, accurate requests with appropriate clinical documentation.
- Develop workflows for tracking, follow-up, appeals, and peer-to-peer reviews to protect reimbursement.
The discussion will include audience Q&A. Register now to receive the recording and slides once they are available.
Since 1975, the Cooperative of American Physicians (CAP) has delivered exceptional medical malpractice coverage and a wide array of risk management and practice management resources, such as these free webinars, to help California physicians run safe and successful practices.
To learn more about becoming a CAP member, please call 800-356-5672 or email MD@CAPphysicians.com. Request an Instant Quote today to see how much you can save on medical malpractice coverage as a member of CAP.
*2025 AMA Prior Authorization Physician Survey
Medical professional liability coverage is provided to CAP members through the Mutual Protection Trust (MPT), an unincorporated interindemnity arrangement organized under Section 1280.7 of the California Insurance Code
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