Today, the California Medical Association (CMA) formally endorsed Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2018 bid to become California’s next governor. 

“California’s physicians are proud to support Gavin Newsom for Governor,” said CMA President Theodore M. Mazer, M.D. “Gavin is a lifelong champion for health care in California, and we know he will continue to fight for pragmatic solutions to our most crucial health care challenges, including working to achieve universal access and tackling our state’s physician shortage.”

As Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco, Newsom worked with health care providers to bring the nation’s first universal access health system to all residents, regardless of income or immigration status. He fought alongside CMA to restore hundreds of millions of dollars in harmful statewide cuts to Medi-Cal services and vowed to protect access to care for all Californians. Newsom was also the first statewide official to support Proposition 56 and its full state budget allocation to health care delivery.

More recently, he has reaffirmed his support for a comprehensive legislative approach that creates a pathway to universal health access, renewed investment in prevention and wellness, and bold reforms that bend the cost curve without exacerbating the provider gap. Newsom has long advocated that any strong and successful universal access plan must address California’s critical physician shortages and expand medical residency programs so patients can access timely and affordable health care, as well as standardize and reduce administrative burdens so physicians can spend more time on patient care than paperwork.

He will also continue working to protect Medicare and raise Medi-Cal reimbursement rates – currently among the nation’s lowest –  to help increase access for the nearly 14 million Californians, including half of the state’s children, currently covered by the program.

“After more than a decade of partnership working side-by-side with California’s physicians to expand health access and improve health outcomes for every Californian, it is a high and humbling honor to receive their endorsement for Governor,” said Newsom. “The promise of universal health is within our grasp, and we need everyone at the policy table working in common cause to achieve it, especially the physicians Californians depend on day in and day out to deliver high-quality patient care.”  

For more information on Gavin Newsom’s candidacy, please visit https://gavinnewsom.com/

 

Patient bills. Sitting in your AR.  Dollars left on the table.

It’s one of the top problems we hear about from our members at OCMA, and one that we can help you fix through our Business Partner Universal Financial Systems.

Most docs are leaving $150,000 on average on the table PER YEAR…what could you do with your extra cash?  Well, we took it upon ourselves to find out!

1.       A Jet Pack - $100,000

By Seg9585 [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

This is Orange County, you can get some real use from a water jet pack!  Wouldn’t the 10-year-old version of you be furious to know you have the ability to purchase a jet pack and haven’t yet flown through the sky?

 

2.      Duffy Boats - $52,000/each

  

See page for author  [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

You and 36 of your friends could be out on the water brunching and cruising every weekend!  Call UFS now and get out there this summer! 

 

3.        The Permits, Guides, and Gear for THREE Everest Climbs ($40-80,000/person)

By Mount_Everest_as_seen_from_Drukair2.jpg: shrimpo1967derivative work: Papa Lima Whiskey 2 [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Even if Everest isn’t on your bucket list, imagine what bucket list items your savings could help you cross off!

 

4.           A litter of California’s most expensive dogs ($50,000/each)

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By danny O. (Flickr) [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Common

French bulldogs are some of the most expensive dogs on the planet, especially when they come from a top breeder – why not ensure you get the best?

 

5.      Team up with another doc and you could control the Bellagio Fountains ($250,000)

By Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada (Bellagio Fountain - Las Vegas, CA - USA - 02) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

If it’s money you were leaving on the table, why not do something fun with it?  You’ve been living without it for years!  Seriously, stop leaving money on the table and reach out to our trusted partner UFS today!

 

6.      Tickets to Game 7 of the NBA Finals ($50,000/each)

 

By Eric Kilby (originally posted to Flickr as Tangle Underneath) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

NBA Finals Game 7 tickets have gone for up to $90,000/ticket.  With the money your practice leaves on the table, you could be sitting court-side every year…

 

7.      Live at the Versace Mansion for 2 Months ($1600/night)

By Daniel Di Palma [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], from Wikimedia Commons

OC can get taxing, why not take a break living in luxury at one of the most infamous mansions in South Beach?  What’s $100k for two months of high fashion luxury?!

8.      Hire an up and coming celeb for a party ($100K)

By glenjamn [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Sorry, an act like Elton John will set you back millions, but if your son of daughter wants to hire a new artist like Fetty Wap (ask them who he is), your $100K savings from hiring UFS could come in handy…

 

9.      You could eat nearly 30 pounds of European White Truffles ($3600/pound)

By Mortazavifar [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], from Wikimedia Commons

You’ll never have to go out to dinner again if you can freshly shave white truffle on every meal!  Once you start, you won’t be able to stop…and you won’t have to with that new $100K truffle budget…

 

10.      And for the practical folks, a one-bedroom Condo in Sacramento ($104,000)

OCMA encourages our members to be vocal about the rights of physicians and patients, with your very own condo in Sacramento you can be in on the action at your home away from home in Sac Town!

Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) last week announced a radical physician rate setting proposal (AB 3087) that would increase patient out-of-pocket costs, create state-sanctioned rationing of health care for all Californians and force physicians out of state or into early retirement.

The California Medical Association is asking physicians to answer a few questions about how AB 3087 will impact their practices. The survey is anonymous and the results will help in our legislative efforts to fight this dangerous and irresponsible legislation.

Take the survey now at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/ab3087

And, if you are among California's physicians that will be forced into early retirement or out of state if AB 3087 passes, we want to tell your story. Drop us a line at communications@cmanet.org.

In Memoriam

Nick G. Anas, M.D.

June 14, 1950 - April 3, 2018

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Nick G. Anas, M.D., long-time member of OCMA.  Dr. Anas passed away peacefully on April 3, 2018.

To read the entire tribute, please click here.  

Senate Bill 1303 (authored by Dr. Richard Pan & Senator Cathleen Galgiani), says Dr. Bennet Omalu, is about moving our state forward, applying best practices & protecting the public trust. Hear more from Dr. Omalu on this important legislation to create an independent medical examiner's office at www.cmanet.org/sb1303.

This week, the California Department of Insurance (CDI) and the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) announced an investigation into Aetna Inc.’s coverage denials that appear to put profits before patients. The investigations were launched, in part, after a former Aetna medical director admitted he never looked at patients’ records when deciding whether to approve or deny health care. Denying coverage without a physician ever reviewing medical records is a potential violation of law.

“California physicians are increasingly concerned with the growing trend of for-profit insurance companies adopting policies that restrict access to care while their profits soar,” said California Medical Association (CMA) President Theodore M. Mazer, M.D. “We applaud the CDI and DMHC for investigating whether health insurers are using their market power to unjustly and illegally deny medically necessary care recommended by the treating physician. The burden of proof should rest with insurers to prove – with an expert medical and thorough review – why treatment should be stopped, not on treating physicians or patients.”

What’s more, nearly 60 percent of the total Independent Medical Reviews (IMR) filed against Aetna with DMHC in 2016 were overturned or reversed. This follows a growing trend of the regulator denying or reversing health plan decisions by almost 20 percent over the last three years (51 percent in 2014 to 69 percent in 2016).

“The growth of IMR reversals is troubling and suggests that for-profit insurance companies are inappropriately denying care without evaluating the specific clinical issues,” said Dr. Mazer. “For-profit insurance companies should not be allowed to set aside the decision of a treating physician without demonstrating that the treatment in question conflicts with scientific evidence, professional standards or expert opinion.”

CDI Commissioner Dave Jones has asked Californians who believe they may have been adversely impacted by Aetna’s decisions to contact the agency: http://www.insurance.ca.gov/
 

In+Care Newsletter Issue 11 Winter 2018 for providers serving people living with HIV in Orange County:

InCare Newsletter Issue 11 Winter 2018.pdf

 

                                                                        

Name: Paul Lubinsky, M.D.

Specialty: Pediatric Critical Care

What is the most rewarding thing about practicing medicine?
Helping Kids set the course for the rest of their lives. Children are resilient and tend not to dwell on the past, it is a privilege to care for them.

Why did you choose to practice in Orange County?
From the first day I started my American Medical career as a CHOC intern I could not think of any institution I would rather work at. I have been at CHOC for 34 years and we provide care to whomever needs it.

What’s a great experience you had through your OCMA Membership?
The advocacy work that OCMA is involved in provides a voice for the physicians, that helps to direct and ensure their patients care. As a Pediatric provider we have enhanced Pediatric Board representation and established a Pediatric workgroup to specifically focus attention on Children’s needs 

Do you have a word of advice for today’s students and residents?
If I had it to do over I would choose a career in medicine, and once again Pediatric Critical Care. There are tough days but we can make a positive difference in every patients life story and I cannot think of a more fulfilling career.

Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CHOCChildrens/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CHOCDocs 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chocchildrens/

As of February 1, 2018, OCMA’s new address will be:

OCMA is proud to recognize our incredible members who are leaders in medicine here in Orange County.  This year, we want to spend time honoring our 2018 Physicians of Excellence and sharing more information on what makes them so excellent.  

Name:  Connie Bartlett, DO

Specialty:  Pediatrics
  
What is the most rewarding thing about practicing medicine?  The relationships I’ve been able to build with my patients and their families is extremely rewarding – it’s the best thing about practicing medicine for me. As a pediatrician, I’m able to take a special part in “raising" the children who have seen me since birth – watching their development and seeing them transition into adulthood is the best gift.
 
Why did you choose to practice in Orange County? Besides the great weather, I chose Orange County because it’s home for me and my family, which always comes first for me. It’s also a great benefit to be surrounded by reputable academic institutions and hospitals. I feel blessed to be part of a health system and medical group that takes such great care of me and my patients. 
 
What’s a great experience you had through your OCMA Membership?  I really appreciate the various advocacy efforts from OCMA – championing important issues for our medical community. I also really enjoy the various lectures and workshops available to help me keep up with clinical decision-making and practice management. 
 
Do you have a message for the rest of your POE honoree colleagues? I am humbled and honored to be selected. I hope we can spread the word for next year and recruit more of our colleagues to participate in this great tradition. Congratulations to all.  
 
Do you have a word of advice for today’s students and residents?  It is a gift and a privilege for us to be in the healing profession.  I encourage all students and residents to study hard the science of medicine, but not to forget to learn the art of medicine as well.  It's the compassion, empathy and connection to others that will bring joy to our days and comfort to our patients. 

Follow Dr. Bartlett on Social Media!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sjhmg
Twitter: @stjoehealth