PRESIDENT’S LETTER | Diana Shiba, MD

With the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically impacting our communities, the healthcare delivery system in the United States is in flux. As local, state and national stakeholders continue to seek informed guidance in the development of policies impacting care delivery across the country, now and in the future, it is critical to raise the voice of those who are on the frontlines of this pandemic — our physicians.

“...LACMA is wellPhysicians, who are often called to lead frontline healthcare teams, positioned and offer a unique perspective that is fully committed to of critical value to those outside of healthcare. Elevating the physician ensuring that the voice is more than an opportunity; it is also a strategic means for the needs, perspective, House of Medicine to influence the and voice of our larger policy discussions around patient care delivery in a rapidly members are heard.” evolving healthcare milieu. Why? Because politicians and policymakers are listening. Policymakers are asking questions, seeking answers and engaging directly with physicians. Faced with issues ranging from provider relief funding to expanded care modalities like telehealth, all in the context of the pandemic and its anticipated aftermath, elected officials and regulators are listening with a new attentiveness to the physicians who are caring for their communities. Since early March, LACMA leaders have participated in dozens of Zoom calls with both state and federal legislators who view the physician community as an important resource when analyzing healthcare policy. These conversations have evolved into discussions about legislation that directly impacts physicians, including the importance of practice sustainability and relief funding, patient healthcare coverage, provider immunity, telemedicine and personal protective equipment (PPE), to name only a few.

Physician advocacy has already proven effective. As a California state senator shared, a gubernatorial executive order was signed because of LACMA advocacy. When invited to sit at the table, physicians not only have the opportunity to share their clinical expertise and experience, but they also have the ability to use their community standing to promote positive change.

Leveraging the physician voice also opens the door to joining larger collaborative efforts and partnerships at the state or national level. For example, LACMA, in collaboration with the California Medical Association (CMA), was able to distribute $12 million worth of PPE to nearly 3,000 medical practices throughout Los Angeles County as part of a larger $60 million initiative driven by CMA, who negotiated directly with state entities.

As policymakers and community stakeholders continue to respond to the growing social, political and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the voice of our physicians is an invaluable resource and one that must be heard at the local, state and national levels. Our patients and communities are looking to us to be their voice and advocate for them during this healthcare crisis.

Serving as your president, I look forward to supporting the incredible team of physician and patient advocates at LACMA. It is a privilege for LACMA to serve as a voice and advocate for the medical community, but it is also a great duty and responsibility. As the largest county medical association in California, and the second largest in the nation, LACMA is well-positioned and fully committed to ensuring that the needs, perspective, and voice of our members are heard. Our leadership team is bound by this strong esprit de corps, and we welcome every LACMA member to join in the effort. Your participation is critical to ensuring the continued strength of our voice. Together, we will continue to be impactful advocates for not only our communities, but also for the entire House of Medicine.

*Starting September 1, new members who join and pay in-full for the next year will receive the remaining months of this year for free.

When you join the California Medical Association and Los Angeles County Medical Association, you join nearly 50,000 members statewide who are actively protecting the practice of medicine and defending public health.