Physicians seeking insight into and training on how to affect the political process are encouraged to attend CMA’s 33nd Annual Legislative Leadership Conference — aka “Doctor Day”— Tuesday, April 24, in Sacramento. A revamped schedule will include more time than ever to meet with your elected officials to discuss this year’s legislative issues that could impact the practice of medicine in California.

Attendees will receive a CMA health policy briefing and a short course on “Lobbying 101,” which will train them to become strong physician advocates and prepare them for the legislative meetings later in the day.

Among the legislative issues that will be discussed at this year’s conference:

Physicians’ Right to Fair Payment: CMA’s Council on Legislation last week voted to oppose this bill (SB 389), which would prohibit hospital-based physicians from from seeking payment from patients, except for allowable copayments and deductibles, even if the patients’ HMOs fail to fairly reimburse for services provided to enrollees.

Retroactive Cancellation of Health Insurance: CMA is sponsoring a bill (AB 1324) that would confirm that it has long been illegal for insurers to rescind or modify authorization after services are rendered in good faith. This bill would reaffirm protections for patients from retroactive cancellation of health insurance policies. The bill would also require that physicians be paid for services provided in good faith with prior authorization. (For more information this issue, see “Blue Cross Fined $1 Million for Illegally Cancelling Health Insurance Policies” )

Health Care Reform: As you know, Gov. Schwarzenegger is committed to seeing that comprehensive health care reform is achieved this year. A number of proposals on how to “fix” the system have been submitted by the governor and others. CMA leadership is hopeful and excited about the potential of reforming a long-neglected health care system, yet intensely concerned about some of the proposed solutions.

The governor has accepted CMA’s invitation to give the keynote address at the conference. This will be a unique opportunity for physicians to hear the governor speak about his health care reform proposal. The governor will address the more than 500 physician attendees just prior to their afternoon legislative meetings.

There is no charge to attend this conference, but registration is required.

Click here for an informational flyer and preliminary agenda.

Please register by contacting Marlon Cuellar at 916/444-5532 or mcuellar@cmanet.org.