Promoting the science and art of medicine, care and well-being of patients, protection of the public health, and betterment of the medical profession.
From our recent electronic newsletter, The Member Connect:
So, What Have You Done for Me Lately?
My name is Todd Engstrom. I am an Internist in Santa Barbara and work for Sansum/Sutter. I am honored to serve as your CCMA President this year. I made a commitment to write some columns for our newsletter this year. I want to keep you informed about the vital work we are doing on your behalf. You send us your hard-earned money every year to represent you, and I want to make sure you know exactly what you're getting for your investment.
Full disclosure here: the following is an AI (Chat-GPT) generated summary. I’ve never used AI before (I’m old) but I found that the AI note below is more succinct, and less verbose then what I had written myself.
“I am writing to highlight the remarkable legislative accomplishments achieved by the California Medical Association (CMA) over the past five years. The CMA has been at the forefront of advocating for policies that enhance patient care, protect physician interests, and improve the overall healthcare system in California.
1. Protecting Physician Autonomy and Practice Rights: The CMA successfully championed legislation that reduces administrative burdens on physicians, ensuring that they can focus on providing quality care to patients. Key victories include limiting prior authorization requirements and expanding telehealth services.
2. Expanding Access to Healthcare: Through persistent advocacy, the CMA played a critical role in expanding Medi-Cal coverage, securing increased reimbursement rates for providers, and supporting community health initiatives that address social determinants of health.
3. Combating the Opioid Crisis: The CMA has been instrumental in implementing evidence-based strategies to curb opioid abuse. This includes supporting legislation for better prescription monitoring and promoting access to addiction treatment services.
4. Public Health and Safety Initiatives: The CMA has advocated for policies that address public health challenges, such as tobacco control measures, vaccine mandates, and initiatives to reduce health disparities in underserved communities.
5. Protecting Medical Liability Reforms: The CMA successfully defended California's Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA), preserving fair and balanced caps on non-economic damages, which helps maintain the stability of the healthcare system.
These achievements reflect the CMA's/CCMA’s unwavering commitment to advancing the interests of physicians and improving the health and well-being of all Californians. We are proud of our collaborative efforts with policymakers, healthcare stakeholders, and the community to make these advancements possible.”
Executive Committee: Todd Engstrom, MD, President Christopher Quijano, DO, President-Elect Timothy Auran, MD, Treasurer Bradley Knox, MD, Secretary Douglas Murphy, MD, Immediate Past President
Directors: Allison Akers, DO Kevin Casey, MD Justin Chang, MD Julie Fallon, MD Priti Gagneja, MD Samira Kayumi-Rashti, MD Winifred Leung, MD Robert Turbow, MD, JD
Sharon Basham, MD Kevin Casey, MD Todd Engstrom, MD Julie Fallon, MD Priti Gagneja, MD Jennifer Hone, MD Samira Kayumi-Rashti, MD Christopher Lumsdaine, MD Douglas Murphy, MD Christopher Quijano, DO
René Bravo, MD
Jennifer Hone, MD
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