CMA is debuting an online forum for discussion of resolutions and reports that will be considered by the 2007 House of Delegates (HOD). The delegates, your elected representatives, meet annually to establish CMA policies on key issues that affect the practice of medicine, from medical ethics to critical matters of public health.

The HOD functions very much like our state and federal legislative bodies. Prior to debate of resolutions on the floor of the HOD, the proposals are discussed and debated in one of seven “reference committees.”

The discussion forum is being piloted with one reference committee (committee C, which covers issues related to membership, finance, and governance), but will be expanded to include all resolutions and reports in 2008.  All CMA members are invited to visit the online forum to comment on committee C resolutions and reports. Members of the reference committee will consider these comments along with the oral testimony presented at the House of Delegates meeting, October 27 to 29 in Anaheim.

To participate in the online discussion, log in to the members-only website and click on “House of Delegates Forum” under “CMA Spotlight.” After a simple self-registration process, you will be able to read other members’ comments and post your own.

Resolutions and reports for all other committees have also been posted to the members-only site. Complete agenda materials for the meeting were mailed to delegates and alternates this week.

Contact: Roger Purdy, 916/444-5532 or rpurdy@cmanet.org.