CMA Opposes Two Mandatory CME Bills
[Posted 05/26/05]

There are two bills currently making their way through the legislature that would create new mandatory CME requirements for physicians. One bill (AB 1195) would require all physicians to complete 16 hours of CME on cultural and linguistic competency; the other (SB 524) would require physicians who treat depression to complete a CME course on the subject. CMA opposes all mandatory CME requirements.

Although CMA understands the importance of educating physicians about depression and cultural and linguistic competency, the association does not believe that mandatory CME is an appropriate solution.

CMA believes it is vital that CME requirements remain flexible so that physicians can respond to changing issues and technologies in medicine that are vital to their practices and the communities they serve.

CMA urges physicians to contact their legislators and urge them to vote ‘no’ on these bills. SB 524 (depression) was passed by the Senate on Wednesday, and now heads to the Assembly. AB 1195 (cultural competency) will be heard on the assembly floor this week.

Contact: David Ford, 916/444-5532 or dford@cmanet.org.