Resolutions on physician-assisted suicide, direct-to-consumer advertising, and physicians right to bill for services rendered were among the resolutions passed by CMA’s House of Delegates at its annual meeting October 28-30 in Sacramento. The following are summaries of some of the resolutions that the House adopted as policy.

Security Prescriptions (Res. 104a-06): The delegates voted that CMA continue to pursue repeal of the requirement to use security prescriptions for schedule II-V drugs and that CMA work to make the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) database available to physicians in real time.

Verbal Orders for Prescription Drugs (Res. 115-06): The delegates adopted a resolution directing CMA to continue advocating for the elimination of California’s Title-22 requirement that verbal orders for prescription drugs be authenticated with the prescribing physician’s signature within 48 hours.

Federal Matching Formula (Res. 201-06): The delegates directed CMA to seek congressional legislation that would alter the federal matching assistance formula for Medicaid to make it more equitable for states like California that have a higher percentage of population below the federal poverty level than the average state.

Resolution of Billing Disputes (Res. 406a-06): The delegates passed a resolution directing CMA to vigorously oppose the Department of Managed Health Care’s proposed regulations that would prohibit physicians from billing for services rendered and that CMA take all action necessary, including legal or legislative action, to oppose any and all efforts to prevent physicians from billing for services rendered.

Medical Necessity (Res. 413a-06): The delegates voted that medical-necessity denials or modifications to a physician’s request for authorization should only be made by California-licensed physicians who are competent, by means of similar certification or training as the treating physician, to evaluate the specific clinical issues involved.

Physician Aid in Dying (Res. 517a-06): The delegates reaffirmed CMA’s opposition to the legalization of physician-assisted suicide and recognized the need for appropriate end-of-life care, including the aggressive treatment of physical pain and compassionate care for physical and spiritual suffering.

Reduced Licensing Fees for Residents (Res. 610a-06): The delegates directed CMA to support further reduction in both license and application fees for resident physicians and fellows enrolled in or accepted into California training programs and to encourage California training programs to pay the license and application fees for their trainees.

Medicinal Marijuana (Res. 712a-06): The delegates voted that CMA continue to support scientifically rigorous research into the therapeutic role of cannabinoid-based pharmaceuticals and defend the ability of physicians to discuss and make recommendations to their patients about the benefits and risks of smoked herbal cannabis.

Advertisement of Controlled Drugs (Res. 103a-06): The delegates voted that CMA oppose direct-to-consumer advertising of controlled drugs and support legislation to ban such advertising in California.

Follow the links below for the complete list of resolutions passed by CMA's 2006 House of Delegates.

• Committee A: Medical Practice Issues
• Committee B: Federal Health Programs/Health System Reform
• Committee C: CMA Membership, Finance & Governance
• Committee D: Insurance & Physician Reimbursement
• Committee E: Quality, Ethics & Legal Issues
• Committee F: Health Professions & Facilities
• Committee G: Science & Public Health
• Download all resolutions