August 2009 Note to our readersSCMA members invited to talk, eat with legislators Wiggins and HuffmanFree SCMA lunchtime seminar on Red Flag Rule scheduled for Aug. 27Need nominations for SCMA awards; dinner set for Dec. 2Local pertussis cases on the risePhysicians need to verify accuracy of their CPPI quality data by Sept. 11H1N1 updates for physicians posted on Public Health websiteNew state budget cuts Healthy Families, spares Medi-Cal ratesCenter for Well-Being gets $3,000 grant through SCMAGroup begins major study of Sonoma County primary carePEOPLEEVENTSAPPLICANTSCLASSIFIEDSABOUT SCMATO UNSUBSCRIBENote to our readersThis issue of SCMA News Briefs inaugurates a few minorchanges in our format. All our SCMA, local, state and national news storieshave been combined into a single section and listed in order of importanceand/or relevance to our growing number of readers. On the Web version of thenewsletter, which most readers now receive, each story is linked to itsheadline in the table of contents. The Web version also has a new masthead andother design changes.We have retained section headings for People, Events(formerly called Resources), Applicants and Classifieds. Headlines for thosestories do not appear in the table of contents.As always, relay any comments or suggestions to our editor,Steve Osborn, at sosborn@scma.org or525-4325. book SCMA members invited to talk, eat with legislators Wiggins and Huffman As part of their continuing legislative advocacy for physicians, SCMA and the SCMA Alliance have arranged for two membership meetings with State Sen. Pat Wiggins and Assemblymember Jared Huffman during August. The meetings will allow SCMA physicians and spouses to speak with Wiggins and Huffman regarding health care financing, the recent state budget, and pending health legislation (see link to CMA’s Legislative Hot List below). Dr. Leonard Klay and Ms. Barbara Ramsey will host the meetings. Both meetings, open to all SCMA members and their spouses, will be held at A’Roma Roasters, 95 Fifth St., Santa Rosa, as follows: * Coffee klatch with Sen. Pat Wiggins, on Friday, Aug. 14, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. * Lunch with Assemblyman Jared Huffman on Friday, Aug. 28, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. To RSVP, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 525-4375 or rpandolfi@scma.org. The meetings come on the heels of other SCMA advocacy on behalf of its members. During July, SCMA leaders participated in a conference call with Rep. Mike Thompson about federal health reform efforts, and face-to-face meetings with Thompson and Rep. Lynn Woolsey are scheduled for August. CMA’s Legislative Hot List at cmanet.org/news/hotlist.asp provides a summary and current status of CMA-sponsored bills in the California Legislature, as well as the progress of other significant legislation followed by CMA’s Center for Government Relations. For more information on a specific bill, contact the lobbyist identified at the end of each bill summary. book Free SCMA lunchtime seminar on Red Flag Rule scheduled for Aug. 27 Because of the importance of the pending Red Flag Rule—which requires many physicians to develop identity theft prevention programs—SCMA has scheduled a free lunchtime seminar on the topic for Aug. 27. The seminar will be conducted by longtime SCMA attorney Larry McLaughlin. The Federal Trade Commission recently extended the deadline for implementing the Red Flag Rule to Nov. 1, with an eye to giving physicians adequate time to learn about the rule and implement it in their practices. The seminar is open to SCMA members and their staff only. To RSVP and receive the location, contact Rachel Pandolfi at 525-4375 or rpandolfi@scma.org. book Need nominations for SCMA awards; dinner set for Dec. 2 After taking a year off to celebrate its 150th anniversary, SCMA is once again bestowing Outstanding Contribution awards to members who have given exemplary service to the community, local medicine, or the medical association. The winners will be honored at the annual SCMA awards dinner, scheduled for Dec. 2 at the Vintners Inn in Santa Rosa. Use the following form to nominate SCMA members for the awards. Nominations are also needed for the Recognition of Achievement award, presented to nonphysicians who have helped advance local medicine. Service to the Community _________________________________ Service to Local Medicine _________________________________ Service to SCMA _________________________________ Recognition of Achievement (nonphysician) _________________________________ Return your nominations by Sept. 15 to Cynthia Melody at cmelody@scma.org or 525-4328 (fax) or 525-4359 (phone). book Local pertussis cases on the risePublic Health has alerted localphysicians that pertussis activity is increasing in the county. Fifteen of the16 cases reported so far this year have been diagnosed since mid-May, and manyare infants or young children. The actual number of cases is probably higher.Complete instructions fordealing with confirmed or suspected pertussis cases can be found in the July 10Health Alert (“Pertussis activity increased in Sonoma County”) posted on thePublic Health website at sonoma-county.org/health/ph.Physicians are reminded toimmunize adults who may have waning immunity to pertussis. This booster dose isespecially important for adults and adolescents who may expose very younginfants who cannot be immunized and are at greatest risk of complications frompertussis.For further questions, contactDisease Control at 565-4566 or phnurse@sonoma-county.org. book Physicians need to verify accuracy of their CPPI quality data by Sept. 11More than 13,000 Californiaphysicians who treat patients insured by Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield ofCalifornia, or United Healthcare were slated to receive their latest qualityperformance results from the California Physician Performance Initiative inlate July.CPPI sent each physician theirindividual quality measure scores based on patient care provided from September2007 to September 2008. Physicians were provided with a percentile rankcompared to their peers; performance scores by measure; and performance scoresfor each patient group.Physicians can verify theaccuracy of the data used to calculate their scores by requesting their patientlists at www.cchri.org/cppi by Aug. 28.Doctors who believe their scores to be in error have until Sept. 11 to submitcorrection requests (with supporting data). book H1N1 updates for physicians posted on Public Health websiteLocal H1N1 updates forphysicians can be found in the “For Health Providers” section of the PublicHealth website at sonoma-county.org/health/ph.Updates are posted as the H1N1 situation warrants.The latest update, posted July23, offers recommendations on the use of antiviral medications and specifiesrequirements for testing.The county has also establishedan H1N1 website with information for patients and employers at sonoma-county.org/h1n1. book New state budget cuts Healthy Families, spares Medi-Cal ratesThe new California budgetincludes nearly $1.5 billion in health care cuts that could prevent the state’smost vulnerable residents—children, the elderly, and the poor—from gettingadequate health care.A major victim is the HealthyFamilies program, which provides health care to nearly one million childrenfrom low-income families statewide, including 12,500 in Sonoma County. Fundingfor Healthy Families was cut by $400 million, meaning that an estimated 350,000children (4,500 in Sonoma County) will be unable to enroll in the programduring the coming year."This is a devastating blowto the swelling ranks of California’s needy, who are struggling to get throughthe worst economic crisis in a generation,” said CMA President Dev GnanaDev,MD. In contrast, the budget does notinclude a Medi-Cal provider rate cut. A federal appeals court recently upheldthe merits of the preliminary injunction issued last year that forced the stateto reverse the 10% Medi-Cal rate cut that took effect in July 2008. The budget assumes that $1billion in Medi-Cal savings will come from shifting certain costs for Medi-Cal/Medicaredual-eligibles to the federal government. If the federal funding does notmaterialize, additional cuts will have to be made. book Center for Well-Being gets $3,000 grant through SCMAWith the help of SCMA, theNorthern California Center for Well-Being has received a $3,000 grant from NORCALto support educational programs for patients with chronic diseases. SCMAPresident Dr. Richard Powers will present the check to the center’s board ofdirectors on Aug. 17.Local physicians are encouragedto refer patients with chronic diseases to the center, which offers programsfor managing diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, asthma, hepatitis C,and arthritis, among other conditions. For details, visit the center’s websiteat norcalwellbeing.orgor call 575-6043. book Group begins major study of Sonoma County primary careA group convened by PublicHealth and Sonoma County Health Action has embarked on a major study of localprimary care resources and capacity. The group, which includes representativesfrom SCMA and several other health organizations, will conduct a survey laterthis year and make recommendations for implementing medical homes and otherhallmarks of primary care.For more details, visit theHealth Action website at sonomahealthaction.org. book PEOPLEJoe Dunn resigns as CEO of CMAJoe Dunn, a former Orange Countystate senator who became CEO of the California Medical Association in 2006, hasannounced that he will leave his post as soon as CMA selects a new CEO. Dunn,who continued to live in Orange County while working at CMA’s main office inSacramento, said he wanted to spend more time with his family.“Rest assured,” Dunn wrote in ageneral e-mail to CMA staff, “my decision does not in any way reflectdisagreement or dissatisfaction with our organization, our physicians or ouramazing management and staff.”The CMA board of directors hasbegun looking for a new CEO, but no schedule has been released to date.NASA partners with CAFE Foundation for Green Flight ChallengeNASA has given the green lightto the Green Light Challenge, a flight efficiency contest administered by theComparative Aircraft Flight Efficiency (CAFE) Foundation headed by Santa Rosaophthalmologist Dr. Brien Seeley.The contest offers a $1.5million prize for the aircraft that performs best while averaging at least 100mph on a 200-mile flight and achieving greater than 200 passenger miles pergallon. The competition, which is expected to draw entrants from around theworld, will be held at the Charles M. Schulz Airport in Santa Rosa during July2011. Dr. Loie Sauer relocates to KaiserDr. Loie Sauer, a longtimesurgeon at Redwood Regional Medical Group in Santa Rosa, has moved to KaiserPermanente, 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa 95403. Phone is 393-4090; fax393-4557; e-mail loie.g.sauer@kp.org. Dr. Dee Robbins dies at 95Dr. Dee Robbins, a foundingmember of The Bone Palace orthopedic group in Santa Rosa, has died at 95. Bornin Salt Lake City, Robbins trained at Northwestern University and UC SanFrancisco. He served as a lieutenant in the Navy during World War II.In 1949, Robbins opened apractice in Santa Rosa with Dr. Carl Anderson and then joined forces withseveral other orthopedic surgeons to open The Bone Palace in the early 1970s.Robbins was well known for his long hours and for his skills as an oil painterand woodcarver. book EVENTSJewish Free Clinic fundraiser set for Aug. 23 in SebastopolThe Jewish Community Free Clinicwill be holding a fundraiser at a private home in Sebastopol on Sundayafternoon, Aug. 23. The event will include local musicians, BBQ and vegetarianfood, a silent auction and a fashion show.Tickets are $18 to $36(suggested donation), and children are free. To reserve a spot and receive thelocation, contact outreach.jcfc@gmail.comor call 585-7780. CME programs available on NORCAL websiteNORCAL, the malpractice carrierendorsed by SCMA, offers a range of CME courses at norcalmutual.com/cme. The coursesemphasize risk management and include both clinical and administrative topics.NORCAL also reminds physiciansto check their MBC profiles quarterly at medbd.ca.gov/lookup.html. book APPLICANTSRichard Carvolth, MDEmergency Medicine*5000 Hopyard Rd. #100Pleasanton 94588525-0906 rdc-1md@sbcglobal.netCornell Univ 1978* board certified book CLASSIFIEDSMedicalDirector/Family Physicianwanted for Sonoma County Indian Health Project, located among the beautifulvineyards in Sonoma County. Great recreation opportunities including hiking,biking, boating and camping. Great year-round weather.Experienced medical director toperform 50/50 administration and family practice. Administrator for 20-roomoutpatient clinic. Great working environment, congenial staff, well-establishednonprofit agency. Group’s physicians share on-call duties. Candidates must have an MD or DOdegree, valid California license, and be board certified. SCIHP offers anoutstanding work environment, competitive compensation plan/benefits packageincluding paid time off, CME allowance with paid time off, holidays and paidmalpractice insurance.In accordance with PL 93-638,American Indian Preference shall be given.For consideration, pleaseforward CV to:Sonoma County Indian Health Project144 Stony Point RoadSanta Rosa, CA 95401Fax: 707-526-1016E-mail: bob.orr@crihb.net Medical office spaceSmall suite available for reasonable rent. Three exam rooms, southeastSanta Rosa. Call Connie, 707-525-0211. How to submit a classified adTo submit a classified ad for News Briefs or Sonoma Medicine, contact NanPerrott at nperrott@rhscommunications.com or 707-525-4226. The cost is onedollar per word. book ABOUT SCMAThe Sonoma County Medical Association, a 501(c)(6) nonprofitassociation, supports local physicians and their efforts to enhance the healthof the community. Founded in 1858, SCMA is affiliated with the CaliforniaMedical Association and the American Medical Association.© SCMA 20093033 Cleveland Ave. #104Santa Rosa, CA 95403 book TO UNSUBSCRIBEYou are receiving SCMA News Briefs because you are aphysician or an affiliated medical professional in Sonoma County. If you wishto unsubscribe, contact Steve Osborn at sosborn@scma.orgor 707-525-4325. book August 1, 2009 SCMA News Briefs August 2009 0 0 Comment Read More »
