Accelerating Latinx Leadership, Health Inequities, Directory Inaccuracy, LACMA Elections, and Practice Makeover Deadline May 23, 2023 Medical Practice Makeover, Monday Rx, Office Hours 1605 Accelerating Latinx Leadership Spring Program Kicks Off I’ve been sharing the exciting news with members about LACMA’s partnership with the UCLA Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture (CESLAC) and the first-of-its-kind Accelerating Latinx Leadership (ALL) program, which kicked off this weekend with the first cohort of 16 current healthcare professionals who aspire to lead. This was the brainchild of CESLAC director and distinguished professor of medicine Dr. David Hayes-Bautista, LACMA board member Dr. Hector Flores and others who wanted to create a program that inspires, educates, and provides young physicians, administrators, nurses, and academics with the tools and supportive network, to lead. Latinx healthcare professionals make up only seven percent of the C-suites in the Los Angeles healthcare industry, a percentage we need to change, and going forward, LACMA will work in concert with CESLAC and local CEOs to have an honest dialogue about what needs to evolve in a county that is nearly half Latino. Special thanks to The California Endowment for funding, and we all look forward to the fall CME-accredited sessions. Click Here to Learn More Podcast: The Economic Impact of Racial Health Inequities, Obesity, and Cancer Risks According to a study published in JAMA, using the analysis of data from 2016 to 2019, they estimated that the economic burden of racial and ethnic health inequities is about $420 to $450 billion. If we look at education, whether you have a high school diploma or not, a high school or college, or more than college, whether you're a college graduate. If you look at education-related health inequities, the cost of that is $940 to $980 billion. If you parse it out, most of the economic burden is attributed to the poor health of the Black population -- about 74% of the health inequities. Even the burden attributed to things like Native American Indians or Alaska Native Indians is higher than the proportion of the population. Most of the educational-related economic burden is incurred by adults that have a high school diploma or GED. Although they only make up 9% of the population, they bore about 26% of the cost. If we're going to talk about addressing health inequities, we have to look at the racial, ethnic, and educational inequities in the United States. Access the Podcast Directory Inaccuracy Continues to Plague Physicians and Patient Care AMA President Jack Resneck Jr., MD testified this month before the Senate Finance Committee on the problem of so-called ghost networks of physicians and other health professionals and also explored potential solutions to improve the accuracy of provider directories—especially as it relates to mental health care. Here is link for additional information. LACMA executive committee member Dr. Robert Bitonte has been a champion for directory accuracy: “I agree with Dr. Resneck that we need to standardize the process of data submission so that each practice is not dealing with 20 different submission processes for 20 different plans, especially as independent physicians, on top of many other problems, face administrative burdens like the never-ending prior authorization debacle.” LACMA’s 152nd Annual Association Elections The Los Angeles County Medical Association is currently holding its 152nd Annual Elections. The following positions are contested: Young Physician Councilor (voted on by young physician members - 45 years of age and younger) Resident/Fellow Councilor voted on by resident and fellow members) Active members of LACMA and CMA have the privilege of voting for their preferred candidates. When reviewing each statement, it is important to remember that the ultimate responsibility of these leaders is to advocate for LACMA and its members at the LACMA Board of Directors level. The ballot will also present proposed changes to the LACMA bylaws. Please review them here. This morning, eligible voters should have received a voting ballot via email or mail - please be sure to check your junk folders as well. Voting will be conducted online via the Election Buddy platform. The email will come from LACMA via Election Buddy and will have the following subject line: Vote Now: Los Angeles County Medical Association – 2023 LACMA Elections. Please do not share the email or the link, as it is unique to each member. For additional information about the candidates or the election process, please call Lisa Le at 213-226-0304 or email at lisa@lacmanet.org. Q2 Practice Makeover Initiative Deadline Looming You could be the next winner! Cheryl Powell, MD South Los Angeles Jamshid Shafai, MD Cudahy Andrew Yeh, DO Arcadia The deadline for next quarter’s application is this Friday, May 26, 2023. Be sure to apply today! Apply Now SPONSORED CONTENT Cut Your Costs on Medical Malpractice Coverage It only takes a minute for you to discover the great rates on medical malpractice coverage and all the benefits you receive as a member of the Cooperative of American Physicians (CAP), including free one-on-one practice management consulting and the option to purchase up to $10,000 in monthly disability benefits and up to $500,000 in life insurance coverage, guaranteed with no required health exam. You have nothing to lose by getting a fast no-obligation quote. Request an Emailed Quote To learn more about becoming a CAP member, please call 800-356-5672 or email MD@CAPphysicians.com. Professional liability coverage for CAP Members is provided through the Mutual Protection Trust pursuant to Ins. Code section 1280.7. Exclusions apply for life and disability insurance coverage. Register Here Monthly Office Hours Are you unsure of the benefits and resources available to you as a member? Would you like to be more involved with the organization? Do you have an interest in legislative advocacy? Is there a list of issues your practice is facing and you don’t know where to go for answers? On every last Wednesday of the month, the LACMA team will be available at noon via Zoom to answer any questions about your LACMA and CMA membership. We would also love to help with any pain points you may have. Or just stop by to say hello! Please know that we are here for you! A Night at the Museum Enjoy a self-guided tour of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art followed by a private reception (21+) at Ray's + Stark Bar patio for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres with fellow members. Date: Sunday, June 4, 2023 Location: LA County Museum of Art Time: 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM Register Gustavo Friederichsen Chief Executive Officer Los Angeles County Medical Association “If it matters to our LACMA members, it matters to me.”