Looking Back and Moving Forward By Albert L. Brooks, MD ACCMA President
I
t is my honor to serve as the next president of the ACCMA, following in the footsteps of a long line of outstanding physician leaders dating back over 154 years. Throughout the next year, I am excited to help lead ACCMA’s advocacy efforts, chief among them gaining voter momentum to ratify the Managed Care Organization (MCO) Tax. In 2023, CMA helped secure billions in new federal funding in Medi-Cal which, in turn, will substantially raise reimbursement rates for Medi-Cal providers. In 2024, CMA, ACCMA and others will be leading the charge to make the MCO tax permanent. In the coming year, there will continue to be many opportunities for members to get involved. From the 7th cohort of the Physician Leadership Program to social events in the community, to policymaking through ACCMA committees or the CMA House of Delegates, to accessing high-quality CME courses, I am excited about the year ahead. Leadership has always been an important theme in my career. After growing up in the Bronx and attending medical school and
residency at Albert Einstein, I moved to California for a job at Kaiser Oakland and later went into private practice. I served as the Chairman of OB, and later as President of Alta Bates Medical Staff and on the Alta Bates Board of Directors. In 2004, I helped start the first OB Hospitalist program on the West Coast at Washington Hospital. While there, I served as Chief of Medical Services, President of Washington Township Medical Group, and CMO of Washington Township Medical Foundation. As a staunch advocate for increasing the number of African Americans and underrepresented minorities in medicine, I helped found Physicians Medical Forum, a 501 C3 nonprofit. Through our Doctors On Board program, we have assisted thousands of students in their journeys to become physicians over the past 13 years. I would like to extend a note of gratitude to our past leaders and my family, both of which I would not be in this position without. Thank you, Dr. Edmon Soliman, for your service and leadership as our ACCMA President over the past year; and thank you to my wife, Doti, and my two brilliant daughters, Nayo and Zenzile, for your ongoing love and support.
2024 ELECTIONS AND CANDIDATE INTERVIEWS The 2024 Election season has arrived, with the California Presidential Primary Election being held on March 5, 2024. ACCMA and CALPAC are closely watching several open seat races within the Senate and Assembly and planning to hold candidate interviews on Saturday, January 20th from 9 am to 2 pm. If you are interested in participating, please contact us at accma@accma.org. miec_2023_ACCMA_bulletin_backcover_small.pdf
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DATA SHARING BEGINS JANUARY 31
Most physician practices must comply with the CalHHS Data Exchange Framework (DxF) by January 31, 2024. The DxF is intended to support health information exchange between all health and human services organizations throughout the state. Some entities, including physician practices with fewer than 25 physicians, acute psychiatric hospitals, and rural general acute care hospitals, will have until 2026, to fully implement the DxF. Visit cmadocs.org/DxF for more info and resources.
ACCMA MEMBER GATHERINGS
In 2023, the ACCMA began hosting social events across the East Bay for members to connect and unwind. Save the date for an outing to the Oakland Museum on Saturday, January 27th!
MINI-GRANT APPLICATIONS OPEN
In an effort to promote physician wellness and prevent burnout, the ACCMA is offering mini grants of up to $500 to ACCMA members to help fund self-organized social events and activities around shared interests that would be open to all ACCMA members. Scan the QR code for more details.
ACCMA SCHOLARSHIP FUND BENEFITS MEDICAL STUDENTS
Thanks to the generous donations of our members, the ACCMA annually sponsors community health summer research projects for the students of the UCSF/UCB Joint Medical Program. Our 2023 scholarship recipients, Elizabeth Hoang and Aparna Manocha, shared their projects at the ACCMA Annual Meeting and are outlined on our website at accma.org/Bulletin.
On November 18th, ACCMA hosted the first ever “ACCMA Goes to the Movies” event. ACCMA families and friends gathered on a rainy day to enjoy Trolls Band Together.
2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION RE-CAP
As we close out the year, it’s important to celebrate our legislative wins and look forward to what we can expect in 2024. One major win comes in the form of a huge cash influx for Medi-Cal which will substantially raise reimbursement rates for Medi-Cal physicians. A special thank you to ACCMA members who joined us in our congressional meetings during the legislative session. Scan the QR code to read more.
SAVE THE DATE: LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY TRAINING
Join us on Saturday, March 2 for “Advocacy in Action: Equipping Physicians for Change” planned to reflect the importance of effective physician advocacy. Learn the art of effective advocacy and the impact your voice can have on healthcare policy in preparation for CMA’s Legislative Advocacy Day on Wednesday, April 10 in Sacramento.
RISING PHYSICIAN LEADERS
2023 scholarship recipient, Elizabeth Hoang, shares her project findings with members at the 155th Annual Meeting.
WE’VE MOVED!
After nearly 70 years in Oakland, the Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association has moved our offices to 3697 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Ste 175, Lafayette, CA 94549. Please be aware that all future in-person meetings held at the ACCMA offices will now be in Lafayette.
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.
ALAMEDA-CONTRA COSTA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION BULLETIN
The ACCMA would like to congratulate our rising physician leaders who will be participating in the 7th cohort of the Physician Leadership Program in 2024. The full list of participants and represented organizations can be found on our website. Registration will open late summer for our next cohort, so keep an eye on your inbox!
BUPRENORPHINE PRESCRIBING CHANGES
A recent bill, AB 1731, removes the requirement for CA providers within EDs to check CURES before prescribing buprenorphine, regardless of prescription length. These changes will take effect on January 1st, 2024.
CALAIM: THE PHYSICIAN’S ROLE
What is your role behind the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal Initiative (CalAIM)? Scan the QR code or visit our learning center to view the recorded program, addressing the barriers that CalAIM presents and strategies for overcoming these challenges.
WELCOMING OUR NEW ACCMA COUNCILORS
ACCMA would like to welcome the following new members to the ACCMA Council: Xiaoyu Huang, MD; Abid Mogannam, MD; Mark Singleton, MD, FASA; and Stacy L. Womack Batzdorf, MD. If you are interested in serving on the ACCMA Council, there are three remaining vacancies we are looking to fill. Visit accma.org/ Bulletin for more info.
HELP SHAPE CMA POLICY
Are you interested in shaping the next generation of CMA policy? The CMA year-round resolution process empowers physicians to shape the ever-changing health care landscape and ensure that CMA is speaking with its members’ voices in its advocacy. Contact David Lopez at dlopez@accma.org if you are interested in submitting a resolution.
SUPPORTING ACCPAC
The most effective way to achieve favorable policy outcomes is to elect candidates who share our perspective on health care issues. By donating to the Alameda-Contra Costa Physicians Committee (ACCPAC), you can help provide financial support to physicianfriendly candidates whose views are aligned with ACCMA and CMA policy positions. Visit accma.org/Donate.
VOLUNTEER TO GIVE CANCER PATIENTS A SECOND OPINION
The Second Opinion is looking for physician volunteers to assist in providing free second opinions to adults in California diagnosed with cancer. The second opinions are done over Zoom with the cancer patient and 3-5 cancer specialists. Visit accma.org/ Volunteer to learn more about this opportunity.
LOAN CONSOLIDATION DEADLINE
This is a reminder that to have past time worked counted toward the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program requirements, physicians must have a direct government loan or consolidate their loans into a direct loan by 12/31. Read more about how the changes to PSLF have changed in the past year to see if you qualify.
Past Presidents Robert Edelman, MD and Edmon Soliman, MD celebrate our new ACCMA President, Albert L. Brooks, MD on November 3rd. accma@accma.org | (510) 654-5383
MEDICARE PAYMENT REFORM
A 3.4% reduction in Medicare’s physician payments could be taking place in 2024, which would negatively impact patient access to care and disproportionately affect small/independent physician practices, as well as those treating low-income and marginalized patient communities. A new bill could stop the cuts set to take effect January 1. Contact Congress ASAP via our website, urging them to support H.R. 6683, the Preserving Seniors' Access to Physicians Act of 2023.
REMINDER: RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
Please renew your ACCMA/CMA Full Regular Membership Dues online at www.cmadocs.org/renew by December 31st to receive the 5% early bird savings. Please contact Christine Maki at cmaki@accma.org if you did not receive an invoice for 2024.
ADVERTISING WITH ACCMA
Did you know that members can post classified ads online free of charge for 2 months? Take advantage of this benefit by contacting the ACCMA. Check out the current ads online now.
IN MEMORIAM
We regret to inform you of the passing of the following ACCMA members: Doctors Steven Una, Gary Hargrove, Frances Lizerbram-Dalton, Thomas Y. Fung, Gary T. Guglielmino, and Jerral Seibert. We thank and honor them for their contributions to our community and the practice of medicine. You can find their obituaries on our website.
Dr. Albert Brooks’s wife, Doti, and daughter, Nayo, enjoying the cocktail hour at the 155th Annual Meeting with Drs. Sheila Bhatia and Stacey Hunt. OCT | NOV | DEC | 2023
Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association 3697 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Ste 175 Lafayette, California 94549-6825 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
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BULLETIN ALAMEDA-CONTRA COSTA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
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ACCMA UPCOMING EVENTS CMS MEDICARE UPDATES 2024 1/9 at 12:15 pm | Virtual
NEW LAWS AFFECTING PHYSICIANS IN 2024 1/23 at 12:15 pm | Virtual
CMA 2023 HOD MAJOR ISSUES 2/10 at 8:00 am | Virtual
A PHYSICIAN’S GUIDE TO GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE 2/13 at 6:00 pm | Virtual
NAVIGATING ABORTION ACCESS IN CALIFORNIA & BEYOND 2/28 at 6:00 pm | Virtual
ADVOCACY IN ACTION: EQUIPPING PHYSICIANS FOR CHANGE 3/2 at 8:30 am | Lafayette
CMA LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY DAY 4/10 All Day | Sacramento
CMA HOUSE OF DELEGATES 10/25-10/27 | Sacramento
Oct | Nov | Dec | 2023