Standing Firm for Science, Equity, and Patient Care
By Clifford Wong, MD, ACCMA President-Elect
In these challenging times for healthcare, when medical expertise is being questioned and hard-won patient protections are under threat, physician leadership has never been more critical. In response, the Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association (ACCMA) has formally adopted a new policy statement, “Protecting Our Patients and Community,” to clearly articulate our principles and guide our advocacy. This statement comes at a pivotal moment as we face simultaneous challenges to evidence-based medicine, healthcare access, and protections for vulnerable populations.
The ACCMA policy statement outlines three core areas of focus, the first of which is Evidence-Based Medical Practice. The statement affirms our commitment to defending vaccine science and combating misinformation, protecting federal funding for medical research, ensuring patient access to FDA-approved medications, preserving physician leadership in clinical guidelines, and strengthening public health infrastructure alongside global health partnerships.
The second area of focus is Healthcare Access Preservation in which we mandate our advocacy to oppose Medicare cuts that threaten senior care, protect Medi-Cal expansion and funding, and strengthen key provisions of the Affordable Care Act. We are also committed to making COVID-era telehealth flexibilities permanent, addressing physician shortages and burnout, and expanding access to behavioral health services.
miec_2023_ACCMA_bulletin_backcover_small.pdf 1 9/18/23 4:24 PM
The final area of focus in our policy statement is Vulnerable Patient Protections. We are committed to advancing health equity initiatives, safeguarding comprehensive reproductive care, ensuring access to medical services regardless of immigration status, and defending treatment options for gender-affirming care.
This policy statement serves as our formal position on these critical issues. It declares our intent to challenge policies undermining medical science, resist funding reductions that limit care access, oppose restrictions on essential health services, and combat discriminatory practices in healthcare.
As ACCMA president-elect, I urge all members to familiarize themselves with this important policy statement, which is now the foundation of our advocacy efforts. It reflects our professional obligation to put patients first while upholding the highest standards of medical practice.
The complete “Protecting Our Patients and Community” policy statement is available for review at www.accma.org. I welcome your engagement as we work to implement these principles in our practices and in the public arena.
Congratulations to both Medical Insurance Exchange of California (MIEC) and Cooperative of American Physicians (CAP) for 50 years of business excellence. ACCMA is grateful for their partnership and continued support.
CALIFORNIA’S RISING PHYSICIAN LEADERS REFLECT ON TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE
The ACCMA concluded its eighth Physician Leadership Program this May, featuring its first-ever statewide cohort with 76 physicians participating from across California. The hybrid-format course combined in-person sessions at UC Berkeley and USC with virtual learning, covering key leadership topics such as motivation, negotiation, ethics, and team dynamics. Participants engaged in interactive discussions and activities designed to deepen their leadership skills while benefiting from a diverse group of peers from various institutions and specialties. Planning is already underway for the next Southern California cohort in Fall 2025 and a Northern California cohort in 2026.
PHYSICIAN LEADERS GAIN POWERFUL INSIGHTS: HEALTH EQUITY LEADERSHIP
ACCMA concluded the Physician Changemakers: Bridging the Gap to Achieve Health Equity Leadership Program on February 15 at the Lafayette Library. Physician leaders gained powerful insights from Dr. Carla Wicks in a Fireside Chat where she highlighted disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. They also heard from from Dr. Dayna Mattews, Dean of George Washington University Law School who spoke about health equity policy and advocacy techniques for equitable healthcare. This is a huge step toward building physician leaders who champion health equity!
MEDICAID IS UNDER THREAT – PHYSICIANS CAN HELP PROTECT IT
We encourage you to use the new texting campaign to contact voters in key congressional districts, or contact your member of congress via phone or email to tell them how these cuts would impact your patients, hospitals, clinics and community! Your voice – and your time – can make the difference in protecting access to care for the 79 million Americans who rely on Medicaid for essential healthcare.
To find more information or to view full articles on any of these topics, scan the QR code, visit accma.org/Bulletin, or contact us at accma@accma.org or (510) 654-5383.
NEW RESTRICTIONS COULD HARM FUTURE PHYSICIANS
House Republicans have advanced legislation that would place major new restrictions on student borrowing and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) — changes that would directly and disproportionately harm future physicians. CMA is deeply alarmed by the legislation and is urging Congress to reconsider its approach. For loans taken out after July 1, 2026, hours worked by medical residents at nonprofit hospitals will no longer count toward the PSLF program. Additionally, federal student loans will be capped at $50,000 for undergraduate education, $100,000 for graduate education — including medical school — and $150,000 for “professional programs.”
UCSF ROYER AWARD IN NEUROLOGY NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN
The J. Elliott Royer Award recognizes two psychiatrists or neurologists, one academic and one community, active in the medical field in San Francisco, Alameda or Contra Costa counties who during the year have made the most significant contribution to the advancement of psychiatry or neurology. The award alternates each year between the specialties of Neurology and Psychiatry. This year, two recipients will be selected for this cash award, one to an academic neurologist and the other to a community-based practitioner.
MEDICAL BOARD TO PHASE OUT PAPER RENEWALS
The Medical Board of California is transitioning to a paperless renewal process and will not accept paper renewal forms for
May is mental health awareness month. As a reminder, the ACCMA provides wellness support for members by offering up to four virtual sessions with a therapist at no charge. Additionally, our Advisory Committee on Physician Wellbeing is available to provide confidential assistance to physicians suffering from a physical or emotional impairment. To learn more scan the QR code
More than 20 ACCMA members, along with their families and friends, participated in the Earth Day Cleanup Event at Crown Memorial Beach in Alameda. It was an ideal day to help beautify the shoreline and enjoy lunch together afterwards. A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support the cause—and an extra big thank you to Ike’s Love & Sandwiches for generously sponsoring the sandwich trays!
Physician’s and Surgeon’s licenses expiring on or after June 30, 2025. Those licenses must be renewed through the BreEZe online system. The medical board will continue sending license renewal information (including instructions and reminders) to licensees via email, and you can verify or update your information online.
CMS FINALIZES 2026 MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PART D RULE
CMS finalized 2026 Medicare Advantage and Part D policies, boosting plan payments by 5% and adopting modest reforms— while physician payments remain unchanged, underscoring the need for broader Medicare payment reform.
PHYSICIANS CONCERNED AI INCREASES PRIOR AUTHORIZATION DENIALS
According to a new survey from the AMA, 61 percent of physicians are concerned that health plans’ use of AI is increasing prior authorization denials, exacerbating avoidable patient harms and escalating unnecessary waste. These AI tools have been accused of producing high rates of care denial—in some cases, 16 times higher than is typical. Physicians can learn more about reform efforts and share personal experiences with prior authorization at FixPriorAuth.org.
CMA & AMA URGE COURT TO UPHOLD BAN ON “DOCTOR” TITLE FOR NON-PHYSICIANS
CMA and AMA have filed a joint brief in defense of California’s long-standing Truth in Advertising law that prohibits the use of the title “doctor” in a healthcare setting by anyone other than California-licensed allopathic or osteopathic physicians. This case arises from a lawsuit by three nurse practitioners holding “Doctorate of Nursing” degrees who want to refer to themselves as “doctors” when treating patients. The Truth in Advertising laws exist to protect patients, helping ensure they aren’t mistakenly led to believe they’re being treated by a physician when they’re not.
CA LAW REQUIRES TB SCREENING IN ADULT PRIMARY CARE
AB 2132 mandates that patients aged 18 and older receiving primary care services be offered tuberculosis (TB) screening if risk factors are identified, provided these services are covered by their healthcare plan. If a screening test is positive, healthcare providers must offer follow-up care or refer the patient to another provider.
was well represented at this year's CMA Council on Legislation (COL) Meeting on March 21st in Sacramento. COL establishes CMA's positions on hundreds of healthcare related bills, helping set CMA's agenda each year.
Additionally, the bill requires Medi-Cal managed care plans to ensure access to care for latent and active TB and coordinate with local health departments for enrollees with active TB.
NEW CA LAW REQUIRES TB SCREENING IN ADULT PRIMARY CARE
AB 2132 mandates that patients aged 18 and older receiving primary care services be offered tuberculosis (TB) screening if risk factors are identified, provided these services are covered by their healthcare plan. If a TB screening test is positive, healthcare providers must offer follow-up care or refer the patient to another provider. For practicing physicians, this means an increased responsibility to screen for TB and ensure appropriate follow-up care, while also being shielded from legal repercussions for non-compliance.
BROWN & TOLAND DELAYS IMPLEMENTATION OF CHANGES TO SPECIALTY PHARMACY REIMBURSEMENT
Brown & Toland has delayed its planned reimbursement cuts for physician-administered specialty drugs until July 1, following concerns raised by CMA. They delay will allow additional time for engagement with physicians affected by this change. CMA is continuing the discussion regarding significant concerns with the policy.
ACCMA MONTHLY MEMBER RECOGNITION
Each month, ACCMA proudly honors a remarkable member making a difference. Thus far we have recognized Drs. Edmon Soliman, Clifford Wong, and Suparna Dutta.. Do you know a physician who goes above and beyond, creating a lasting positive impact in their community? Please share their story with us!
There are currently open positions on the ACCMA Delegation to CMA House of Delegates (HOD). If you want to influence health care policy, help shape CMA’s advocacy priorities, and connect with other California physicians who are passionate about health care policy, this is a great opportunity to get involved.
