News

Monday Rx | August 5, 2019 | AB 1404, Docs4LA, Vaping and Upcoming Events

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AB1404 - Take Action Now!

This morning I sent an urgent message to all members urging them to join me in contacting their city council representative and ask them to vote NO on resolution AB 1404.

See Bill: bit.ly/AB1401-Bill-Info

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AB 1404 (Santiago) will on the Los Angeles City Council agenda in the very near future.

We want every Councilmember to not approve the resolution to support AB 1404.  We are concerned about this unwarranted and likely unconstitutional intrusion into the personal information of individual physicians.

Background:

Assembly Bill 1404 (Santiago) will be heard by the Los Angeles City Council tomorrow Tuesday, August 6th as they will vote on a resolution to support this poorly crafted piece of legislation.  LACMA is joining more than 31 organizations, from the California Medical Association, America’s Physician Groups, the Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California, the American Academy of Pediatrics/California, the American College of Physicians – California, the American College of Cardiology - California Chapter to the American College of Surgeons/California, California Hospital Association and many others – including a number of chambers of commerce, civic and business associations who all oppose the bill.  Why?  This bill raises significant privacy concerns in that it would force specified “nonprofit sponsors” to disclose private physician compensation information.  Disclosure of confidential compensation information may also raise concerns under state and federal antitrust laws.   I urge you to join me in contacting your city council representative to share your opposition to them passing a resolution of support.  I’ve included a link to the list of council members with contact information.

Let’s call them and let them know what members think today in advance of the resolution vote tomorrow!

Call Now: bit.ly/Call-Now-NO-on-AB1404

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Docs4LA on the Move

Last week, thanks to the great work of our government affairs consultant, Henry Rogers, Dr. Sion Roy, Dr. Diana Shiba and I had the chance to meet with several legislators and/or their staff to talk about Docs4LA, the public health crisis that is gun violence and vaping amongst teens, access to care and much more.  State Senator Lena Gonzales’ staff, Assemblyman Mike Gipson and Assembly leader Ian Calderon’s staff met with us as well.  This week we will meet with Assemblywoman Maria Elena Durazo and State Senator Ben Allen.

Why are these meetings important?

To share what our members are dealing with, what communities are facing and how LACMA can be a resource for truth for elected officials.

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Speaking of Vaping

One of the pillars (priorities) of the Docs4LA Initiative is to combat vaping amongst teens which is why we have partnered with the Los Angeles Pediatrics Society and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to launch a campaign in the Fall about the dangers of marketing to kids.  In fact, Juul Labs, the nation’s leading manufacturer of e-cigarettes, has hired as its medical director a prominent University of California researcher known for his work on the dangers nicotine poses for the adolescent brain.

The company said the hiring will support its efforts to stem a teen vaping craze the Food and Drug Administration has labeled an epidemic. But critics see a cynical tactic taken straight from the Big Tobacco playbook.

Dr. Mark Rubinstein, a pediatrician and formerly a leading researcher with UC San Francisco’s Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, took up the post of executive medical officer at Juul last week, a move first reported by Politico. Rubinstein has done signature research on teen addiction and how nicotine, which is present in high levels in e-cigarettes, affects adolescents. He has spoken openly of the potential risks of vaping for children.

In a statement, Juul said Rubinstein would oversee research on underage use of vapor products, guide the company’s youth prevention programs and policy positions and help form links with the public health community. The company declined to make Rubinstein available for an interview. It says the move is part of its effort to reduce teen vaping while it continues to provide an alternative to smoking for adults. What do you think of this?  Smoke and mirrors, perhaps?  I’d like to hear from members about Juul’s tactics.

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2019 Medical Group Advocacy Symposium

The 2019 Medical Group Advocacy Symposium is on physician wellness: tools, resources, and best practices for the prevention of burnout, and treatment solutions. The California Medical Association (CMA) has convened the best and brightest thought leaders to this venue so that attendees can engage, consider and build initiatives that address wellness challenges, value-based health care models, and policy changes impacting medical groups.

We look forward to your participation as we are confident that the symposium will provide you and your organization the market research and expertise required to tackle emerging trends and future market needs.

Register Here: bit.ly/Medical-Group-Advocacy-Symposium

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2019 NEPO SUMMIT

Standing Up for Health Care in California

The two-day summit is an innovative educational event for physicians, public health professionals, advocates and community leaders that offers policy and best practices for reducing health disparities, building diversity in the workforce and increasing cultural competency in clinical care.

August 23rd – 24th Westin Pasadena 191 N Robles Ave Pasadena, CA 91101

Early bird discount deadline: August 1, 2019

Registration deadline: August 23, 2019 

Sign Up: bit.ly/2019NEPO-Registration

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Capitalizing on the Consumerization of Healthcare:

How to Promote Your Practice

Patients today are taking control of their healthcare choices more than ever before, demanding greater convenience and easy access to information. Three in four people have gone online to find out about a doctor or dentist, and more than 57 percent do so regularly. Attracting and retaining patients in this environment requires improving each digital touchpoint for patients, both before and after their visit.

You’ll learn:  

  • How patients choose their providers in this era of consumerization
  • Insights on evolving patient demands
  • How technology can help attract, satisfy and retain patients
Join LACMA and PatientPop to learn how technology can create a better experience across the patient journey, and how every practice can benefit along the way.
 
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It's finally here! Join us for the 2019 Young Physicians Networking Mixer hosted by the Young Physicians Committee and District 1. It’s time to recharge and reconnect with friends and colleagues, or make new ones!  All in a relaxed environment overlooking the bright lights of the Downtown LA Live scene. Enjoy food, beverages, great company, and entertainment! LACMA has hosted the young physician mixer every year for almost a decade. This event is FREE for LACMA/CMA members.  Nonmembers are $20. Thank you to our event sponsors! Email Vitelio Here: vitelio@lacmanet.org ________________________________________________________

2019 Los Angeles State of Reform Health Policy Conference

Reforming health care takes more than just hard work. It takes a solid understanding of the legislative process and knowledge about the intricacies of the health care system. That’s where the State of Reform comes in.

State of Reform pulls together practitioners, thought leaders, and policymakers – each working to improve our health care system in their own way – into a unified conversation in a single place. It is the most diverse convening of senior health care leaders in Southern California, and one of the most important statewide events in California health care.

Purchase tickets here: bit.ly/State-of-Reform-2019

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Register Here: bit.ly/2019-Womens-In-Medicine-Luncheon

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Register Here: bit.ly/2019-LA-Healthcare-Awards

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#MotivationalMondays

"If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else." – Booker T. Washington

       

Gustavo Friederichsen Chief Executive Officer Los Angeles County Medical Association “If it matters to our LACMA members, it matters to me.”