California Medical Association

In 2024, CMA focused on codifying physician priorities with more than 115 supported bills signed into law. The organization also stopped 24 opposed bills and 23 problematic ones in the Legislature. Key victories included legislation to: ensure artificial intelligence does not take the place of physicians; provide new tools for health care workers assisting victims of domestic violence and human trafficking; reduce mental health stigma for physicians through changes to the medical board's licensure application; and create parity in penalties for violence against healthcare workers in emergency departments.

CMA supported physician practices during a devasting cyberattack that resulted in nationwide outages that threatened the viability of physician practices. CMA successfully advocated for advance payments and interest-free financial resources to keep practice doors open. Additionally, CMA stepped in to stop a Blue Shield modifier 25 policy that would have significantly reduced reimbursement for Evaluation and Management services and created a disincentive for physicians to provide efficient care for unscheduled services. CMA filed a lawsuit against the Department of Managed Health Care for failing to enforce California's prompt payment regulations in implementing SB 510, which resulted in significant delays and reductions in reimbursements.