San Diego County Medical Society

01/13/2026

Many new California health care laws took effect Jan. 1, 2026, including CMA-sponsored measures to curb misleading use of AI, protect independent physician judgment from corporate interference, and reduce unnecessary prior authorization. CMA’s free 2026 new laws report and a January 27 webinar provide practical guidance on what’s changed and what physicians should watch next.

A wide range of new California health care laws took effect Jan. 1, 2026, reshaping how physicians practice medicine and how patients access care. Many were sponsored or supported by the California Medical Association (CMA) and reflect CMA’s priorities: reducing administrative burdens, protecting the physician-patient relationship, and preserving equitable access to essential treatment.

Many new California health care laws took effect Jan. 1, 2026, including CMA-sponsored measures to curb misleading use of AI, protect independent physician judgment from corporate interference, and r...

01/12/2026

Congratulations to San Ysidro Health on the ribbon cutting of the brand-new National City PACE Facility! Located in the heart of National City, the 143,000-square-foot facility will expand access to comprehensive healthcare for the community, offering medical, dental, behavioral health, and senior care services. Incoming SDCMS President Dr. Maria T. Carriedo-Ceniceros highlighted the compassionate, patient-centered care that providers deliver to PACE participants. Thank you for all you do for the community!

01/09/2026

The California Medical Association (CMA) is sounding the alarm following federal action that sharply altered the U.S. childhood immunization schedule, reducing the number of vaccines universally recommended for children.

“The decision to weaken the childhood immunization schedule is misguided and dangerous,” said CMA President and pediatrician René Bravo, M.D. “As a pediatrician, I have seen firsthand how routine vaccinations save lives, prevent suffering, and protect entire communities.”

The changes were implemented this week by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention following a presidential memorandum directing an update to the schedule. Several vaccines that had long been recommended universally — including influenza, hepatitis A, and certain meningococcal vaccines — were removed from routine recommendations and shifted to narrower, risk-based or shared clinical decision-making categories.

Recent federal action directing changes to the childhood immunization schedule has raised serious concerns among physicians nationwide. CMA warns the decision lacks transparency, bypassed established...

01/08/2026

The latest issue of the San Diego County Medical Society's bi-weekly newsletter, "News You Can Use," is out and available for viewing now. Find out the latest developments and news for San Diego County's physician community.

On January 5, 2026, the SDCMS Nominating Committee convened and is recommending a proposed slate of SDCMS Board of Directors candidates for 2026–27. I

01/06/2026

Sadly, more irresponsible and dangerous vaccine policy from the Administration that will cost lives.

CMA President Dr. René Bravo says, “The decision to weaken the childhood immunization schedule is misguided and dangerous. As a pediatrician, I have seen firsthand how routine vaccinations save lives, prevent suffering, and protect entire communities." https://www.cmadocs.org/newsroom/news/view/ArticleId/51096/California-physicians-oppose-CDC-move-to-cut-vaccine-recommendations-for-children

01/05/2026

FREE California Medical Association Webinar: Virtual Grand Rounds: The Continued Evolution of Public Health - Recent Federal and State Changes on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. PT.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recently voted to eliminate the universal hepatitis B birth dose recommendation, overturning longstanding vaccine guidance with no new evidence to justify the change. CMA leaders have called this a “profound setback for child health in America,” while other specialty groups are also weighing in with disapproval. With several additional efforts to review vaccines underway at the federal level, there may be more change to come.

In this month’s virtual Grand Rounds, the Director of the California Department of Public Health, Erica Pan, M.D., MPH, will discuss these changes, current California recommendations, and efforts within the public health community to continue to promote science-based decision-making. Dr. Pan will be joined by Susan Monarez, Ph.D., the CEO/Founder of Heartland Global Strategies and former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Rita Nguyen, M.D. Dr Pan will also discuss the winter respiratory virus season as well as other important emerging public health issues.

The website of the California Medical Association, representing more than 50,000 physicians in all specialties and modes of practice.

12/24/2025

Happy Holidays from the San Diego County Medical Association! A special thanks to the physicians and other health care workers who are spending their holidays working to keep their fellow San Diegans healthy.

12/24/2025

The latest issue of the San Diego County Medical Society's bi-weekly newsletter, "News You Can Use," is out today and available for viewing now. Find out the latest developments and news for San Diego County's physician community.

The SDCMS Nominations Committee has announced the annual call for nominations to the SDCMS board and officer positions. The committee will meet in Jan

12/22/2025

CAHAN Health Advisory: Amatoxin Poisoning from Foraged Wild Mushrooms:

A California Health Alert Network (CAHAN) Health Advisory has been issued related to Amatoxin Poisoning from Foraged Wild Mushrooms.
• The California Department of Public Health has reported cases of amatoxin poisoning associated with foraged wild mushrooms across California, resulting in severe hepatotoxicity and at least one confirmed death statewide.
• Although cases have been reported in Central and Northern California, the risk is statewide, and wet weather increases the potential for mushroom growth in San Diego County parks, woodlands, and open spaces.
• Death cap (Amantia phalloides) mushrooms contain amatoxin and can be easily mistaken for edible mushrooms.
• Children and pets are at risk due to exploratory ingestion.
• Health care providers should contact California Poison Control System at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance on diagnosing and treating patients with suspected mushroom poisoning.

California Health Alert Network (CAHAN) San Diego alerts sent to the medical and public health community.

12/18/2025

The American Medical Association (AMA) has released its detailed analysis of the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, outlining payment updates, coding changes and policy shifts that will affect physician practices nationwide.

After years of Medicare physician pay cuts, the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule includes a one-time 2.5% payment increase scheduled to take effect Jan. 1. However, physician practices still have reason for concern. Other adjustments in the fee schedule are expected to offset that increase, meaning some practices could see little to no relief — or even an overall reduction — in Medicare payments, raising ongoing concerns about the financial sustainability of providing patient care.

AMA has released its detailed analysis of the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, outlining payment updates, coding changes and policy shifts that will affect physician practices nationwide.

12/17/2025

CMA is urging Anthem Blue Cross to rescind a newly announced evaluation and management (E/M) claim review policy scheduled to take effect Feb. 15, 2026, warning that it may be inconsistent with the law and could lead to improper downcoding, delayed payments and increased administrative burden for physician practices.

The California Medical Association (CMA) has formally raised significant concerns with Anthem Blue Cross over a new evaluation and management (E/M) claim evaluation policy that would subject certain physician claims to additional review, potential downcoding or delayed payment beginning Feb. 15, 2026.

In a Dec. 15 letter to Anthem Vice President of Healthcare Networks John Pickett, CMA warned that the policy represents a major shift in claims handling that lacks transparency, conflicts with nationally recognized coding standards, and may violate California prompt payment and disclosure laws.

CMA is urging Anthem Blue Cross to rescind a newly announced evaluation and management (E/M) claim review policy scheduled to take effect Feb. 15, 2026, warning that it may be inconsistent with the l...

12/16/2025

On January 29, 2026, at 12 p.m., the California Medical Association (CMA) is hosting a live webinar “Words Matter: Removing Biased and Stigmatizing Language from Clinical Communication,” that will examine how stigmatizing language disproportionately affects patients with diabetes, obesity, substance use disorders, and chronic pain, and how these patterns can influence provider perceptions and patient outcomes.

Designed to build awareness while offering practical, real-world solutions, the presentation will help clinicians identify common forms of biased language and replace them with neutral, respectful alternatives that support patient-centered care and help reduce health care disparities.

Clinical language can shape patient trust, engagement and outcomes. A new CMA webinar will explore how biased and stigmatizing language affects care—and offer practical tools physicians can use to ad...