On May 22, a group of physicians representing the California Medical Association's (CMA) Ethnic Medical Organization Section (EMOS) and the CMA Foundation’s Network of Ethnic Physician Organizations (NEPO) gathered in Sacramento for the 7th annual EMOS/NEPO Ethnic Physicians Leadership Day.

During the morning session, participants learned about several important health care issues currently being debated in the Legislature. Armed with the information from the morning training, participants headed to the Capitol in the afternoon to meet with legislators. They provided legislators with unique health care perspectives from ethnic physicians and physicians working in ethnic communities.

Among the issues discussed were:

• Budget  talks to restore the 10 percent Medi-Cal reimbursement rate cut.

• A bill (SB 1005)  that will allow undocumented Californians who are not eligible to purchase insurance through Covered California, to buy insurance through a mirror exchange.

• A CMA-sponsored bill (AB 2400) that will prohibit health plans from terminating contracts if the provider exercises the right to negotiate, accept or refuse a material contract change. The bill would also prohibit plans from requiring participation in unspecified current and future products or product networks, unless the plan discloses any contract terms that are materially different from those of the underlying commercial agreement.

• Another CMA-sponsored bill (SB 1000) that would label all sugary drinks with a health warning label.

Contact: Alecia Sanchez, (916) 444-5532 or asanchez@cmadocs.org.