Stand by What Is Proved
By Clifford Wong, MD, ACCMA President
It is my honor and privilege to serve as your ACCMA President in the coming year and sustain our Association’s mission: to improve the practice of medicine for the benefit of our patients and the public’s health. Now more than ever, we must be guided by this purpose.
None of us can fully foresee the challenges that lie ahead. A few years ago, could any of us have imagined leading through a global pandemic? And today, could we have imagined the upheaval now threatening our health care system – the erosion of our public safety net, and the growing distrust of evidence-based medical practice?
This past Independence Day, our nation received quite the birthday gift in the form of H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but from a health care perspective, this one is aesthetically challenged. The bill enacts deep cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act – over $1.2 trillion in total –and is the largest rollback of federal health care funding in American history. Ten million people are expected to lose coverage within a decade, including 2.5 million Californians who will lose Medi-Cal and nearly 2 million whose premiums are expected to double.
replacement of scientific experts with political appointees. Long-settled guidance on vaccines, pasteurization, even Tylenol is being questioned.
Are we about to enter a “Scientific Devolution”?
Not if we can help it. The ACCMA will continue to defend evidence-based medicine, advocate for health care access – including reproductive and gender-affirming care – and protect vulnerable populations. We will also continue fighting for prior authorization reform, fair reimbursement, telemedicine permanency, and full implementation of the voter-approved Proposition 35 funding.
This is a critical moment to pay attention, to use our voices to counter misinformation, and to model reason, logic, and faith in science.
Galileo once wrote, “It is surely harmful to souls to make it a heresy to believe what is proved.” Stand by what is proved – and be proud to represent our profession.
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Compounding these challenges, we find ourselves on the defensive against an unexpected and insidious attack on science. As physicians, we are witnessing the dismantling of our public health infrastructure, research funding cuts, and the
Each month, ACCMA proudly honors a remarkable member making a difference. Do you know a physician who goes above and beyond, creating a lasting positive impact in their community? Share their story with us! Check out our previously featured members.
ACCMA MEMBER RECEIVES CMA’S COMPASSIONATE SERVICE AWARD
ACCMA member Shagun Bindlish, M.D., a nationally recognized internist, diabetologist and community health advocate, has been selected as the recipient of CMA’s prestigious Compassionate Service Award. The annual award recognizes a physician whose career exemplifies extraordinary dedication to community and charity care. Dr. Bindlish has dedicated her career to addressing systemic health inequities through both clinical practice and policy advocacy.
ACCMA MEMBER RECEIVES 2025 JOSEPH F. BOYLE, MD YOUNG AT HEART AWARD
ACCMA member Arthur Chen, M.D., a Senior Fellow at Asian Health Services in Alameda County, has been selected as the 2025 Joseph F. Boyle, MD Young at Heart Award. Dr. Chen has a lifetime of advocacy in organized medicine, serving as ACCMA President in 2015, and delegation chair in 2016, as well as Alameda County Public Health Officer and Medical Director of Alameda Alliance for Health. Dr. Chen has been a long-time ally to trainees and early career physicians in encouraging leadership and advocacy.
A NNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
The ACCMA Annual Meeting brought together 200 attendees for an evening of connection and celebration. We honored our outgoing president, Dr. Irene Lo, for her dedicated leadership and warmly welcomed our incoming president, Dr. Clifford Wong. We hope to see you at next year’s annual meeting!
CA BEGINS ROLLING OUT VOTER-BACKED PROP. 35 HEALTH CARE INVESTMENTS
California has begun moving forward with implementation of Proposition 35, the voter-approved measure to increase MediCal payments and expand access to care. While the 2025-26 state budget included budget allocations that were contrary to those required under Prop. 35, CMA advocacy and sustained pressure are beginning to yield progress across four key areas: reproductive health, GME residency positions, emergency department care, and emergency transport. Physicians and patients fought hard to pass this historic measure, and CMA will continue to hold state leaders accountable to fully implement Proposition 35 as voters intended.
GOVERNOR SIGNS LAW SAFEGUARDING VACCINE ACCESS IN CALIFORNIA
In September, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 144, which includes provisions strongly supported by CMA that will protect Californians’ access to life-saving vaccines amid federal uncertainty. The law sets a clear baseline for vaccine insurance coverage and authorizes the state to modify the recommendations to align with new evidence-based guidance. On the same day, the West Coast Health Alliance released its first joint recommendations for the 2025–26 COVID-19, influenza and RSV vaccines, offering clarity as turmoil continues at the CDC.
THE LONGEST GOVT' SHUTDOWN IN U.S. HISTORY HAS COME TO AN END
President Trump had signed a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through January 30, 2026. While the CR renewed several expiring health programs including Medicare’s pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities, it does not extend the ACA
enhanced premium tax credits, putting affordable coverage for millions of Americans at risk. The deal includes a pledge from Senate Majority Leader John Thune to hold a vote on extending the tax credits in mid-December; however, House Speaker Mike Johnson has thus far refused to commit to a floor vote before the credits expire on December 31. CMA will continue to urge the federal government to preserve access to affordable ACA health care coverage as the December vote approaches.
BILL TO ELIMINATE REDUNDANT PRIOR AUTHORIZATION BARRIERS SIGNED INTO LAW
Gov. Newsom has signed into law Senate Bill 306, a CMA-sponsored bill that delivers critical reforms to the prior authorization process. The new law eliminates duplicative approval requirements and introduces new transparency measures that will help ensure patients receive care without unnecessary red tape. SB 306 passed the Legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support.
BILL TO PROTECT PATIENTS FROM MISLEADING AI CHATBOTS SIGNED INTO LAW
Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 489, a landmark bill that will protect patients from artificial intelligence (AI) systems that misrepresent themselves as licensed medical professionals. The CMA-sponsored bill provides state health professions boards with the clear authority to enforce title protections against developers and deployers of such AI systems. It underscores CMA’s commitment to ensuring emerging technologies enhance, rather than undermine, safe and high-quality patient care.
GOVERNOR SIGNS BILL TO ADDRESS PRIVATE EQUITY INFLUENCE IN HEALTH CARE
Gov. Newsom has also signed CMA-sponsored Senate Bill 351, a critical piece of legislation that addresses the growing influence of private equity and hedge funds in health care delivery. SB 351 strengthens CA's existing ban on the corporate practice of medicine by empowering the Attorney General to take action against corporate entities that interfere with the practice of medicine – ensuring that care decisions are determined by physicians and patients, not financial interests.
CA ENACTS NEW LAWS TO STRENGTHEN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH PROTECTIONS
Gov. Newsom has signed a package of bills designed to safeguard access to reproductive health care and reinforce California’s leadership in protecting patient privacy and reproductive freedom. AB 45, 50, 260, and 1525 expand access to contraception, strengthen confidentiality safeguards, and shield CA physicians and attorneys from retaliation by states with restrictive abortion laws. CMA will continue to advocate for policies that protect physicians and patients.
DEPT. OF ED RESTRICTS PSLF ELIGIBILITY FOR PHYSICIANS IN CERTAIN FACILITIES
The U.S. Dept. of Education has finalized new regulations governing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program that will disqualify borrowers who work in nonprofit facilities deemed to have “a substantial illegal purpose.” This includes facilities that provide gender-affirming care for minors, aid or abet violations of federal immigration laws, or engage in federally defined discrimination. The policy could jeopardize loan forgiveness for physicians serving in nonprofit hospitals and health systems across California.
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.
DHCS DETAILS NEW MEDI-CAL RX POLICY CHANGES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2026
The California DHCS has issued a notice announcing upcoming Medi-Cal Rx coverage changes that take effect January 1. The updates—outlined as part of the 2025-26 state budget—will tighten coverage for certain drugs and over-the-counter products, including COVID-19 tests, GLP-1 weight loss drugs, and vitamins. CMA will continue monitoring the rollout to ensure that patient access and continuity of care are not adversely affected by the new coverage restrictions.
CMA JOINS LAWSUIT AGAINST MULTIPLAN & LEADING INSURANCE PROVIDERS OVER HEALTH CARE PRICE-FIXING
CMA has joined a sweeping federal antitrust lawsuit against MultiPlan (now Claritev) and major insurers including UnitedHealth, Elevance, Humana, Aetna, and Cigna, alleging they conspired to systematically underpay physicians for reimbursements for out-of-network services. This lawsuit seeks to end MultiPlan’s alleged anticompetitive scheme and recoup financial damages for physicians and practices. Physicians who believe they may have been harmed can obtain a free case evaluation from one of the law firms appointed by the court.
DEADLINE TO CHANGE YOUR MEDICARE PARTICIPATION STATUS FOR 2026 IS 12/31
The 2026 Medicare participation year begins January 1, and, as always, physicians have three choices: be a participating provider, be a non-participating provider, or opt out of Medicare entirely. Physicians who want to change their participation status for 2026 must submit a signed Medicare Participating Physician or Supplier Agreement (CMS-460) to Noridian, California’s Medicare contractor, postmarked by December 31.
As the 2026 membership cycle progresses, please note that the membership drop date is now February 1. To ensure uninterrupted membership, confirm that your contact information is current by emailing accma@accma.org or calling (510) 654-5383. Members on monthly or multi-year credit card installment plans should also verify their card information with CMA at (800) 786-4262.
To promote physician wellness and prevent burnout, ACCMA is offering up to $500 to members to help fund self-organized events and activities open to other ACCMA members. Visit accma.org to apply, or contact Christine at cmaki@accma.org for more information.
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