Monday Rx | April 9th, 2018 | STOP PHYSICIAN RATE REGULATION! April 10, 2018 Advocacy, Health Policy, Monday RX 1041 Action Required AB 3087 is dangerous legislation that would reduce patient access/consumer choice while increasing out-of-pocket costs Today, Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) introduced AB 3087, which would increase patient out-of-pocket costs and result in an unprecedented government takeover of the healthcare market by creating a state-sanctioned rationing of health care for all Californians. Assembly Bill 3087 would establish an undemocratic, government-run commission with nine political appointees who would unilaterally set the price for all medical services that are not already controlled by the government, essentially eliminating commercial healthcare markets in California. None of the political appointees are required to be patient-focused or have any tangible experience in the delivery of healthcare to patients. Despite fundamentally altering how health care services are provided in California, the bill explicitly prohibits health care professionals from participating on the commission. This commission—constructed to view patient care simply as a cost center—would have the unprecedented authority to ration the timing and quality of care California patients receive by fixing the prices of the commercial healthcare market. This bill does nothing to ensure that patient out-of-pocket costs are decreased and moves California away from the goal of value-based care backward to an antiquated fee-for-service model. It would also have the consequence of dramatically reducing consumer choices. "AB 3087 is dangerous legislation that would result in an unprecedented government takeover of the healthcare market. What's more, this bill would result in higher out-of-pocket costs for patients because it does not require plans or insurers to pass on the cost savings to patients or prohibit them from reducing a patient's benefits. Therefore, I OVERWHELMINGLY OPPOSE AB 3087. " -William K. Averill, M.D., President, Los Angeles County Medical Association The bill would also put additional cost pressure on the California health care delivery system by allowing lawyers and lobbyists to be reimbursed by the Commission for lobbying the Commission. This process mirrors existing intervenor fee models that have not reduced overall consumer cost—but have served as a means for special interests to, as one former State Insurance Commissioner alleged, get "fat off the public trough." Brazenly, the bill also creates a direct funding mechanism that would financially benefit one of the bill's sponsors. AB 3087 also ignores the recommendations from the University of California, San Francisco's report—commissioned by the Assembly—to achieve universal access to health care, which includes implementing a comprehensive strategy to overcome the physician workforce shortage in the state by removing barriers that prevent physicians and other clinicians from specializing in primary care and practicing in underserved areas. Currently, six of nine California regions are already facing a primary care provider shortage, and 23 of California's 58 counties fall below the minimum required primary care physician-to-population ratio. The state needs 8,243 additional primary care physicians by 2030 – a 32 percent increase. Historically, policies of inflexible and arbitrary price caps are viewed as ineffective in controlling costs and detrimental to access to health care. During federal health reform discussions, both the Obama and Clinton Administration considered price-cap proposals but ultimately rejected them on the basis that they posed too many direct and indirect risks to the overall health care delivery system. AB 3087 will be heard in the Assembly Health Committee on April 24. ACTION REQUIRED Stop Physician Rate Regulation Talking points, fact sheets, and additional materials will be distributed soon, but we urge you to start contacting your legislators now to oppose this dangerous legislation. CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR NOW Join us for Doc Matters Don't miss this Friday's Doc Matters live call-in program from 12:15 to 12:45 PM. Our guests will be our partners from WorkWise Law. The number to call is 866 538 4120. Doc Matters Friday, April 13 Avoiding Costly Management Mistakes 12:15 PM - 12:45 PM www.uberconference.com/lacma Optional dial in number: 866-538-4120 Alternate number: 213-260-9640 Doc Matters is LACMA's new effort to better inform and continuously engage our physician community. Through this weekly 30 minute call-in program, physicians can ask questions and talk to experts on a variety of issues. Save the Date Los Angeles County Medical Association's Annual Installation of Officers June 21, 2018 Hotel Casa del Mar 1910 Ocean Way Santa Monica, CA 90405 R.S.V.P lisa@lacmanet.org Save the Date Los Angeles County Medical Association's Young Physician's Committee Spring Mixer Friday, May 11, 2018 Location: TBD R.S.V.P lisa@lacmanet.org Community Events CME Programs Update on Early Initiation of Treatment for HIV and Optimal Use of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) See Flyer WHEN: Wednesday, April 11, 2018 WHERE: Webinar REGISTRATION & CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT IS FREE BUT SPACE IS LIMITED TO REGISTER: Email Cstafylis@mednet.ucla.edu Include in the message: 1) Name, 2) Profession/ specialty, 3) Location (city/town and state/territory), and 4) Will you be seeking educational credit for participation? MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACHES TO CANCER SYMPOSIUM WHEN: September 20 to 23, 2018 WHERE: Loews Coronado Bay Resort 4000 Coronado Bay Road Coronado, CA 92118 Click here for more information. This intensive program will provide participants with an enhanced ability to interpret and apply best treatment options to their individual cancer practices. NEOPLASTIC HEMATOPATHOLOGY UPDATE WHEN: November 8 to 10, 2018 WHERE: The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel 21100 Pacific Coast Highway Huntington Beach, CA 92648 Click here for more information. Join experts for this exclusive interactive conference. This is a unique opportunity for up-close learning and discussion with experts in the treatment of neoplastic hematopathology. For questions contact: cme@coh.org or 626-218-5622. Thank you! Gustavo Friederichsen Chief Executive Officer Los Angeles County Medical Association "If it matters to our LACMA members, it matters to me."