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CAL-ACP News & Views / Spring—Summer 2014
A publication of the California Services Chapter of the American College of Physicians
2014 Upcoming Events:
July 12-13, 2014
CA-ACP IM Review Course—Sylmar, CA
September 18-20, 2014
Fall BOG Meeting—Chicago, IL
October 18-19, 2014
Scientific Meeting—Anaheim, CA
ACP Southern CA Chapters
November 21-23, 2014
Scientific Meeting—San Francisco, CA
ACP Northern CA Chapter
December 4-7, 2014
CMA HOD—San Diego, CA
CAL-ACP SERVICES
NEW PRESIDENT ANNOUNCEMENT
Alpesh Amin, MD, MBA, MACP begins his term as President
of Cal--ACP Services, and succeeds Immediate Past President
Darin Latimore, MD, FACP.
Article featured on page 2
New President Announcement 2
MICRA measure on November ballot 3-4
ACP IM Review Course 5
Sacramento Leadership Day 6-7
Legislative Update 8
Covered California Update 9
American Lung Association 10-11
Inside this issue:
Cal-ACP Services
News & Views
Spring/Summer 2014
Volume 4 Issue 3
CAL-ACP News & Views / Spring—Summer 2014
A publication of the California Services Chapter of the American College of Physicians
Alpesh Amin recently became the president of the California Services Chapter of the American College of Physicians. Dr. Amin’s term began at the conclusion of the Cal-ACP Services Chapter Board Meeting held in conjunction with ACP Internal Medicine’s Annual Meeting in April 2014, and will serve his term through April 2016. Previously, he served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Cal-ACP Board.
Dr. Amin is at the University of California-Irvine (UCI) in the capacity of the Tom and Mary Cesario Chairman, Department of Medicine. He is Professor of Medicine, Business, Public Health Nursing Science, and Biomedical Engineering at UC Irvine. He is also founder and executive director of the Hospitalist Program. He obtained his MD degree at Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois, and later completed his internship and residencies in internal medicine, including a chief residency at UCI. Also at UCI, he earned a healthcare MBA.
Dr. Amin is the first Hospitalist to be named Chief of a Division of GIM, and then subsequently the first Hospitalist to be named Chairman of a Department of Medicine. Among Dr. Amin’s numerous awards and honors include the American College of Physicians Special Recognition Award, a Master of the ACP, a Senior Fellow of the Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM), named as one of “America’s Top Physicians” by the Consumers’ Research Council of America, Orange County Physician of Excellence Award, and ACP’s Top 10 Hospitalist Award.
Publication credits include authoring over 100 peer-reviewed articles. He is the co-editor/co-author of the Core Competencies for Hospital Medicine by SHM. Dr. Amin is Associate Editor of Hospital Medicine Secrets. He is also co-editor of the Book Contemporary Hospitalist Guide to Anticoagulation.
Dr. Amin succeeds Immediate Past President Darin Latimore, MD, FACP, whose accomplishments are widely recognized and appreciated. Dr. Latimore currently serves in the capacity of Associate Dean, Office of Student and Professor of Medicine at UC Davis School of Medicine. Page 2
New President Succeeds Darin Latimore...
California Services Chapter American College of Physicians
President 2014-2016
Alpesh Amin, MD, MBA, MACP, SFHM
CAL-ACP News & Views / Spring—Summer 2014
A publication of the California Services Chapter of the American College of Physicians
Increased costs. Losing trusted doctors. Threatened privacy.
...That’s what happens when lawyers play doctor
Source: California Medical Association
You may have heard that the trial lawyer-sponsored ballot
measure that aims to undermine the protections of the
Medical Injury Compensation Reform ACT (MICRA) has
officially qualified for the November ballot.
In less than six months, on November 4, 2014, these trial
lawyers will ask voters to weigh in on “The Troy and Alana
Pack Patient Safety Act,” an initiative that was carelessly
thrown together without any concern for taxpayer pocket-
books, privacy, patients or health care. If trial lawyers get
their way, our state will be saddled with a costly threat to
privacy that California simply cannot afford.
If this measure is approved by voters, malpractice lawsuits
and payouts will skyrocket, adding “hundreds of millions
of dollars” in new costs to state and local governments,
according to an impartial analysis conducted by the state’s
Legislative Analyst. Someone will have to pay, and that
someone is providers, taxpayers, and consumers.
The California Medical Association (CMA) has joined a
campaign coalition to oppose the measure, because it will
be costly for consumers and taxpayers, endanger patient
access to quality health care and jeopardize the privacy of
our personal health information. This group, “Patients and
Providers to Protect Access and Contain Health Costs,” is a
diverse and growing coalition of trusted doctors, community
health clinics, hospitals, family-planning organizations, local
leaders, public safety officials, businesses, and working men
and women formed to oppose this costly, dangerous ballot
proposition that would make it easier and more profitable
for lawyers to sue doctors and hospitals.
This measure would also have devastating effects on access
to care for patients everywhere, but especially in rural and
already underserved areas. Community health care clinics like
Planned Parenthood and the Central Valley Health Network
are already warning that this measure will cause specialists
like OB/GYNS to reduce or eliminate services to their patients.
This measure could also cause doctors to leave the state,
meaning thousands of Californians could lose access to their
trusted doctors.
Over the next few months, you’ll hear a lot of rhetoric from
the proponents of the measure—but really, this is another
example of special interest politics trying to fool voters into
thinking this is something that it’s not. Authors purposely
added doctor drug testing to disguise their real intent behind
the ballot measure: to increase lawsuits against health care
providers, which will increase our health care costs and reduce
access to quality health care. According to the Los Angeles
Times: “The drug rules are in the initiative because they poll
well, and the backers figure that’s the way to get the public to
support the measure. ‘It’s the ultimate sweetener,’ says
Jamie Court, the head of Consumer Watchdog.”
(December 10, 2013)
The proposal also forces doctors and pharmacists to use a
massive statewide database known as Controlled Utilization
Review and Evaluation System, or CURES, filled with
Californians’ personal medical prescription information—a
mandate our government will find impossible to implement,
and a database with no increased security standards to
protect your personal prescription information from hacking
and theft. Though the database already exists, it is under-
funded, understaffed and technologically incapable of
handling the massively increased demands this ballot
measure will place on it. This ballot measure will force the
CURES database to respond to tens of millions of inquiries
each year — something the database simply cannot do in its
current form or functionally. A non-functioning database
system will put physicians and pharmacists in the untenable
position of having to break the law to treat their patients, or
break their oath by refusing needed medications to patients.
(Continued on next page) Page 3
- PREVENT COSTS.
- PROTECT ACCESS.
CAL-ACP News & Views / Spring—Summer 2014
A publication of the California Services Chapter of the American College of Physicians
Most concerning, the massive ramp up of this database will
significantly put patients’ private medical information at risk.
The ballot measure contains no provisions and no funding to
upgrade the database with increased security standards to
protect personal prescription information from government
intrusion, hacking, theft or improper access by non-medical
professionals.
The initiative is bad for patients, taxpayers and health care
as a whole, and there has never been a greater need for
physicians to band together and fight for our patients.
As you can see , this initiative is fraught with problems and
would prove detrimental to California’s health care system.
We hope each of you will join the effort to defeat this costly
threat to our state, and in doing so, protecting access to care
and preventing higher costs for all California. Together, we
can be victorious.
As we forge ahead to Election Day, it is more important than
ever to make sure we are speaking as a unified, coordinated
voice. If you have not already done so, please visit CMA’s web
site at www.cmanet.org/micra for the latest information,
handouts and to sign up as a campaign coordinator in your
area.
Please also visit the campaign website at
www.stophigherhealthcarecosts.com to sign up to become
an official opponent to this badly flawed measure. From the
website you can:
• Sign up to add your name to the growling list of individuals
and groups opposed to the MICRA ballot measure.
• Get important facts, downloads and information that will
help you spread the word about this costly measure.
• Be part of the outreach team. If you have direct patient
contact, become part of the outreach team. Visit CMA’s
MICRA resource page to sign up as a campaign coordinator.
• Participate in message/media training. The campaign
is also looking for physicians interested in taking on a more
public role speaking to community groups about why this
ballot measure should be defeated. For more information,
contact CMA staff member Molly Weedn at
- PREVENT COSTS.
- PROTECT ACCESS.
Page 4
CAL-ACP News & Views / Spring—Summer 2014
A publication of the California Services Chapter of the American College of Physicians
Business Name
This course features approximately 20 hours of focused coverage in different fields of Internal
Medicine that will benefit:
• Internal Medicine Residents/Fellows
• Attending physicians who are interested in a review of Internal Medicine for taking the ABIM
certifying or re-certifying exam or the ACP in-training exam
• Medical students who are interested in a focused IM review or who are going to take Part II of
the National Boards Exam
Attendance for both days is only $240 ($120/day) and includes continental breakfast and lunch.
(Medical students are free, but are still required to register).
REGISTER NOW TO GUARANTEE YOUR SPOT AT THIS COURSE!
16th Annual California ACP Internal Medicine Review Course
July 12-13, 2014
Olive View—UCLA Medical Center
14445 Olive View Drive, Room 1C119 Sylmar, CA 91342
(About 30 minutes north of Los Angeles)
To view information on the program, the location (including directions), travel tips, lodging
information and the preliminary program agenda/registration form, please visit the California
Chapter website.
Note: The registration form is located on the bottom half of the Preliminary Program Agenda.
For questions or additional information, please contact Course Coordinator, Natalie Kaczur at
[email protected] or 760-522-8461.
Page 5
CAL-ACP News & Views / Spring—Summer 2014
A publication of the California Services Chapter of the American College of Physicians
2
01
4 S
AC
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MEN
TO L
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AY
Cal-ACP advocates gathered in Sacramento to promote
responsible positions on individual health and on public
policy relating to health care for the benefit of the public,
their patients, the medical profession, and ACP members.
Activities included a presentation by journalist Dan Walters,
meetings with CMA leadership, an advocacy workshop, and
presentations at the Capitol by Richard Pan, Chair of the
Assembly Committee on Health and Ed Hernandez, Chair of
the Senate Committee on Health.
Attendees at legislative briefing
Meet & Greet Reception at Hyatt Regency Sacramento
Legislative perspectives by Journalist Dan Walters
Assembly Member Richard Pan speaks on health care issues
Page 6
CAL-ACP News & Views / Spring—Summer 2014
A publication of the California Services Chapter of the American College of Physicians
Senator Ed Hernandez addresses attendees
Consultant Tom Riley presents Advocacy Workshop
Advocates in Medicine at event session
Lisa Maas, Californians Allied for Patient Protection, leads
MICRA discussion
Sacramento Leadership Day Agenda
- Legislative Bills at the Forefront -
AB 2400—Prohibits all product clauses
AB 1771—Electronic patient mgmt. payment
AB 1805—Eliminates 10% Medi-Cal cuts
AB 2548—Increase funding for primary care
SB 1005—Health insurance exchange for
Page 7
CAL-ACP News & Views / Spring—Summer 2014
A publication of the California Services Chapter of the American College of Physicians
Lobbying for Time, Tomorrow’s Workforce: Two Assembly bills of interest to Cal-ACP have recently garnered sufficient floor votes to be heard in their first Senate policy committees in the coming weeks. AB 2051 (Gonzales) requires DHCS, within 15 days of receiving an application for enrollment as a Medi-Cal provider from an applicant that is an affiliate primary care clinic, to approve the application effective on the date the affiliate primary care clinic license was issued or to provide written notice of the status of the application. The CMA-sponsored AB 2400 (Ridley-Thomas) would discourage “all products” clauses and improve network adequacy by providing physicians and physician groups with more time (90 days rather than 45 days) during which to decide whether to accept a material change to their contract. Additionally, the bill would require that plans provide additional information and gives providers under PPO contracts the right to negotiate alternative rates. Both bills will be heard in Senate policy committees later this month.
Not so fortunate was AB 2458 (Bonilla) that would have established the Graduate Medical Education Fund, to be used to support California primary care graduate medical education residency programs. Had the bill not been held in the Appropriations Committee, it would have appropriated $25,000,000 from the General Fund in the 2014-15 fiscal year and $2,840,000 per year for 3 years (starting in 2014-15) from the California Health Data and Planning Fund to support residencies in for Internal Medicine, Family Practice and Pediatrics. Alternatively, the bill’s sponsors (CMA and California Academy of Family Physicians) have sought residency training dollars directly from the State Budget. Cal-ACP members who are interested in helping with Budget efforts to increase residency training dollars for primary care, please contact Cal-ACP’s Ashley Ruby or Tom Riley. Please keep in mind that, with the Budget deadline looming on June 15, this year’s efforts may be over by the time you read this.
Legislative Update By
Tom Riley
CalCapitol Group Government & Public Relations Consulting
Page 8
CAL-ACP News & Views / Spring—Summer 2014
A publication of the California Services Chapter of the American College of Physicians
Dear Members, To help you better understand not only the enrollment side of Covered California, but also health plans, networks and contracts, we have created the attached booklet, "Covered California Basics: Resources, Tools and Information for You and Your Patients," which you may access by viewing the document online. Cal-ACP is one of four partner organizations that applied for and received a grant from Covered California, our state health insurance exchange, to help inform our members and their staffs about health care coverage available to their patients as part of national health care reform. In the past six months, you may have attended one of our meetings at which a presentation about Covered California was given or read articles in our publications and emails about how patients, their family members and friends can sign up for health coverage under both private plans and Medi-Cal through Covered California. Open enrollment through Covered California for 2014 closed March 31. Despite a few bumps in the road, more than three million Californians signed up for private coverage. (1.3 million) or Medi-Cal (1.9 million). Open enrollment for 2015 is slated to begin October 15. Qualified individuals may sign up for Medi-Cal any time during the year and certain “life events” entitle some to enroll in private coverage through Covered California year-round. Please take a few moments to read "Covered California Basics." We especially call your attention to "Understanding Covered California Health Plans, Networks and Contracts" on page 10 and suggest you share this information with your colleagues and staff members. Also, ask staff to review page 16 regarding "Resources for Office Staff" and note the contact information for health plans offered through Covered California.
If you are interested or know of an organization that would benefit from a presentation on Covered California, please contact Ashley Ruby: [email protected].
Thank you. Alpesh Amin, MD, MBA, MACP and President California Services Chapter American College of Physicians Page 9
CAL-ACP News & Views / Spring—Summer 2014
A publication of the California Services Chapter of the American College of Physicians
At the same time, the report shows that millions are still at
risk from air pollution across California. Nearly 80 percent of
Californians – 30 million residents – live in a county
receiving a failing grade in the State of the Air 2014 report.
California cities dominate the lists of the most polluted in the
nation based on air quality monitoring data for ozone and
short-term and long-term particulate pollution, as seen in the
table below. The largest source of emissions are from the
transportation sector.
Breathing the pollutants that come out of a car's tailpipe leads
to coughing and shortness of breath for healthy adults, but for
those with underlying conditions like asthma or chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the implications can
be grave: asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes and ultimately
death.
Air pollution impacts all Californians, but for the millions living with heart, lung and
other chronic illnesses, as well as children and our seniors, the health risks are greater.
In California each year, approximately 9,000 residents die prematurely from air pollution,
more than twice as many as are killed in automobile accidents. Hardest hit are disadvantaged
communities, including low income communities living in close proximity to pollution hot-spots like
major freeways, ports, rail yards of trucking distribution centers.
State of the Air 2014: Most Polluted U. S. Cities
Unhealthy Ozone Days Unhealthy Particulate Days Annual Particulate Pollution
On April 30, 2014, the American Lung Association released State of the Air 2014, an annual report on air
quality which lists both the cleanest and most polluted areas in the country. This year’s report shows
California is making real and steady progress in efforts to reduce ozone and particle pollution, and
reinforces the importance of the state’s strong clean air leadership in reducing the public’s exposure
to harmful air.
...Continued on next page
Page 10
Source: American Lung Association in California
CAL-ACP News & Views / Spring—Summer 2014
A publication of the California Services Chapter of the American College of Physicians
California policies are working to clean up our air. The Los Angeles region has reduced more than
one-third of its unhealthy ozone days in the last fifteen years, and dramatic reductions in ozone and
particle pollution also have occurred in San Diego, Sacramento, and Bakersfield. This progress is due to
successful state and local programs reducing diesel particulate emissions and wood smoke pollution, and
promoting zero emission vehicles and healthier communities through more options for walking, cycling
and transit.
But more needs to be done. The American Lung Association and major health and medical organizations in California, including the American College of Physicians – California Chapter, have come together to support California’s clean air leadership in fighting air pollution and climate change and the need to transition swiftly to cleaner fuels and new energy solutions to protect public health. More than 30 major medical and health organizations have signed on to a public health statement outlining the critical threats to health of air pollution and climate change and the importance of strong action to reduce emissions. Clean vehicles, cleaner fuels and smart growth planning that reduces the need to drive are all among the top priorities of the American Lung Association in California and our Health Professionals for Clean Air network. Now in its 10th year, the Health Professionals for Clean Air plays an important role in advancing clean air policies to protect the public from smog, soot and the growing threats of climate change. To join the Health Professionals for Clean Air email list, or to learn more about the State of the Air report and other Lung Association programs, please call 1-800-LUNG-USA, visit www.lung.org/california or contact Jenny Bard at [email protected].
1 Los Angeles-Long Beach 1 Fresno-Madera 1 Fresno-Madera
2 Visalia-Hanford 2 Visalia-Hanford 2 Visalia-Hanford
3 Bakersfield 3 Bakersfield 3, tie
Bakersfield
4 Fresno-Madera 4 Los Angeles-Long Beach Los Angeles-Long Beach
5 Sacramento 5 Modesto-Merced 5 Modesto-Merced
6 Houston, TX 6 Pittsburgh, PA 6 Pittsburgh, PA
7 Modesto-Merced 7 Fairbanks, AK 7 El Centro
8, tie
Dallas, TX 8 Salt Lake City, UT 8 Salt Lake City, UT
Washington, DC 9 El Paso, TX 9 El Paso, TX
10 Las Vegas 10 SF Bay Area-Stockton 10 Phoenix, AZ
Page 11
