Monday Rx: Minimum Wage, KidVaxGrant Funding, Monkeypox Update and LACMA Events August 8, 2022 Arbitrary pay, California, COVID-19, COVID-19 Vaccines, Dodger Healthcare Appreciation Night, Health, Healthcare Workers, Minimum Wage Increase, Monkeypox, Patient Health, Physicians, Physicians for a Healthy California, Practice Management 101, Public Health, Southern California, Unequal Pay, Vaccination 883 Minimum Wage Increase Update I’ve been providing updates on the unfunded mandate imposed on independent medical practices to hospitals and health centers regarding a $25 minimum wage. LACMA joined the coalition to oppose such measures. Culver City, Lynwood, Baldwin Park, Long Beach, Duarte and Inglewood city councils are hearing the measures with Los Angeles, Downey and Monterrey Park adopting but may face referendum fights. The Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce is opposed. Key Points: NO ON UNEQUAL PAY These measures would set new, arbitrary pay requirements for some health care workers in some health care facilities, while excluding the vast majority of health care workers doing the exact same jobs. The measures would jeopardize access to care and deepen inequities in our health care system for Southern California’s most disadvantaged and already underserved communities. These measures mandate higher wages for workers at private health care facilities but provide zero pay increases for workers at public hospitals and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) that primarily serve uninsured and disadvantaged communities. This will exacerbate workforce shortages and retention issues that will jeopardize access to care. We all agree health care workers deserve support, recognition, and a living wage for the work that they do, but these Unequal Pay Measures are inequitable for workers, harmful for patients and risky for the communities we serve. New Funding for Physicians Providing COVID-19 Vaccines Physicians for a Healthy California (PHC) today announced that the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is investing an additional $10 million to support physicians providing pediatric COVID-19 vaccines. Under newly expanded eligibility rules, the KidsVaxGrant 2.0 program is open to all providers serving pediatric populations, not just those participating in the federal Vaccines for Children program. To learn more, click here. Monkeypox Update Cases in Los Angeles County have climbed to nearly 500. With the arrival of additional JYNNEOS vaccination doses, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) is expanding the criteria to include additional residents at high risk of exposure to monkeypox and launching a pop-up vaccination location in West Hollywood for those who have pre-registered, as described below, and booked an appointment at this location. Monkeypox vaccine is now also available to gay or bisexual men and transgender persons 18 years of age. A West Hollywood location was added last week as a public monkeypox vaccination site for those that pre-registered for the vaccine. The pop-up location will be at West Hollywood Library Community Meeting Room, located at 647 N. San Vicente Boulevard and will by appointment only from 9 AM to 6 PM. Residents who have not pre-registered and booked an appointment are not able to be vaccinated at this location. Public Health is also working with other partners to secure additional pop-up vaccination locations. For more information, please visit here. Practice Management 101 With Mitzi Young Join us on August 22, 2022, for Practice Management 101 presented by one of CMA’s experienced practice management experts Mitzi Young. The presentation will cover the following objectives: Strategies for better financial outcomes Common mistakes that cost the practice money Managing patient scheduling Improving patient experience Monthly reports each practice should review Effectively processing denied claims Marketing your practice for success Questions every office should ask yearly Date: Monday, August 22, 2022 Time: 6:00 p.m. PST Register Now Join Us for LACMA Family & Friends at LA Dodgers Healthcare Appreciation Night! The Los Angeles County Medical Association is excited to spend an evening together with all members at the Dodger Stadium for Dodger Healthcare Appreciation Night! Tickets: $20 for LACMA members & first guest $34 for each additional guest up to 3 guests per member. Limited tickets available, RSVP by August 24, 2022. This special event ticket package includes your ticket to the game and an exclusive Healthcare Appreciation Night lightweight hoodie.* Be sure to stick around after the game for Friday Night Fireworks! ***Tickets will be distributed by LACMA prior to the game through MLB Ballpark App once payment has been completed. Attendees will need to download MLB Ballpark App*** Date: September 30, 2022 | RSVP BY AUGUST 24, 2022 Time: 7:10 pm PST RSVP Here #MondayMotivation "Character is the real foundation of all worthwhile success." Gustavo Friederichsen Chief Executive Officer Los Angeles County Medical Association “If it matters to our LACMA members, it matters to me.”