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CMA News

Joint Commission, NQF align patient safety event reporting

Fri, 30 Jan 2026

Joint Commission will adopt the National Quality Forum’s updated Serious Reportable Events list into its Sentinel Events framework beginning Jan. 1, 2027, creating a more unified system for tracking serious patient safety events and reducing duplicative reporting requirements.

Federal funding deadline raises questions about Medicare telehealth

Thu, 29 Jan 2026

Federal funding expires Jan. 30. After senators today blocked a spending bill, a shutdown could create temporary uncertainty around some Medicare telehealth policies.

Protecting patient access to care amid immigration enforcement activity

Wed, 28 Jan 2026

California physicians warn that immigration enforcement activity is deterring patients from seeking needed medical care, increasing health risks and straining the system. State law provides protections to help ensure health care settings remain safe spaces, and physicians are encouraged to review legal guidance and update office protocols accordingly.

CMA endorses AAP’s evidence-based immunization schedule amid federal rollbacks

Mon, 26 Jan 2026

In response to AAP releasing its 2026 immunization schedule, CMA President and pediatrician René Bravo, M.D., issued the following statement. 

California physicians respond to impact of ICE actions on patients

Mon, 26 Jan 2026

CMA has long warned that failures to protect public health and safety have real, deadly consequences and once again, we are seeing those consequences play out.

CDPH alerts health care providers to surge in deadly Death Cap mushroom poisonings

Thu, 22 Jan 2026

CDPH has issued an alert to health care providers following a sharp increase in amatoxin poisonings linked to Death Cap mushrooms. Since November, 35 patients have been hospitalized statewide, resulting in three deaths and three liver transplants. Providers are urged to consider mushroom poisoning in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms or elevated liver enzymes and to contact poison control immediately for guidance.

Honoring the professionals behind high-quality continuing medical education

Thu, 22 Jan 2026

January 23 is Healthcare Continuing Education Professionals Day, recognizing the CME professionals whose work ensures physicians stay informed, skilled and prepared to deliver high-quality patient care.

Congress advances health care package—but leaves coverage affordability behind

Thu, 22 Jan 2026

Congress is moving forward with a health care package that extends Medicare telehealth flexibilities, advances PBM reforms and continues key public health programs. However, lawmakers failed to extend enhanced ACA premium tax credits—an omission that threatens coverage affordability for hundreds of thousands of Californians and millions of Americans.

DMHC issues guidance in response to CMA concerns on COVID-19 cost shifting

Wed, 21 Jan 2026

DMHC has issued new guidance responding to CMA concerns about improper COVID-19 cost shifting. The guidance reaffirms that health plans—including Medi-Cal managed care plans—must reimburse physicians for COVID-19 testing and immunizations and may not shift that financial risk to providers without explicit agreement.

Free CME Webinar: Words matter—Reducing bias in clinical communication

Wed, 21 Jan 2026

Clinical language can shape patient trust, engagement and outcomes. A new CMA webinar will explore how biased and stigmatizing language affects care—and offer practical tools physicians can use to adopt more respectful, person-centered communication.