PRESIDENT’S LETTER Omer Deen, MD FACG, AGAF

The word that always comes to mind when talking about medicine and

LACMA’s impact on the physician and patient experience is “change.” To most, the word means “to make or become different.” I subscribe to a different definition: “to move from one to another.” For too long, change has been brought to us as physicians, delivered by policymakers, regulators, and those with little or no knowledge or appreciation for what we do, whom we care for, and the impact we make on communities every day. My fundamental goal is to continue the great work of the many presidents before me, in lockstep with our staff and leadership, to respond to the rapidly-changing medical marketplace and solve real problems.

One of the constant problems is how physicians are overlooked when it comes to real, fair, and equitable payment reform. Medi-Cal rates are abysmal, and as practice costs escalate tied to increases in labor, supplies, office space, technology, malpractice insurance, and administrative costs (not to mention inflation factors), physicians will take the hit, so many will leave medicine, change locations, or adjust their patient care missions at the detriment of the underserved. Therefore, I am excited to join Dr. Hector Flores and his leadership on this issue. Hector, Dr. Kenneth Sim with Allied Pacific IPA, and our CEO Gustavo Friederichsen are part of the LA Safety Net Coalition, led by LA Care CEO John Baackes, as they tackle the Medi-Cal payment problem. The coalition is delving into the unpredictable and aging workforce, constant regulatory burdens and unfunded mandates, and increasing social needs of Medi-Cal patients as the Medi-Cal fee for service schedule has not changed since 1969, which is untenable. While Proposition 56 was a win for patients and providers, the augmented payments do not keep with inflation, and tobacco tax revenue is dwindling, so we need a

permanent solution. To give a real-time example of overreach, the Los Angeles City Council minimum wage hike ordinance to $25 per hour for certain workers at private hospitals, medical practices, hospital-based facilities, and dialysis clinics completely excludes workers who do the exact same job at other facilities such as nursing homes, medical centers, and more. Gun-related injuries and death are the leading cause of death in children. Buffalo, Uvalde, and Highland Park continue to haunt us all, but as I wrote this, more shootings occurred in Indiana, Alabama, and Dallas. It is exciting that LACMA is working nationally and locally to be part of the solution as we continue to see how gun violence exacerbates moral injury and For too long, change has been thrust upon us physician health. We will highlight these significant issues at as physicians, delivered the first ever Southern by... those with little California Physician Well Being Symposium or no knowledge or in February 2023! The appreciation for what we do, whom we care recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade and for, and the impact reproductive rights we make on our and impacts on patients and physicians communities every day. will continue to be at the forefront of my tenure as we address health equity, access to care, and implicit bias in medicine. Finally, another key issue we will look to impact is member retention and new member recruitment. The good news is that LACMA’s member retention is over 90%. The challenge is attracting nonmembers amid an uncertain economy. We will do more to make our case to them, to listen and engage them as never before. To younger physicians, social issues such as the aforementioned gun violence, climate change, health equity, and leadership development resonate. To older, more established physicians, we need to hear their angst when it comes to market disruption, bad policy, and payer issues. I look forward to working with each of you, learning from you, hearing you, and jointly taking LACMA where it needs to be, the most trusted partner for all physicians.

LACMA/CMA Sponsored Insurance Programs

Your Membership Offers Additional Savings of 5%* on Already Low Rates!

Preferred Employers Insurance workers’ compensation rates have the potential for savings to physicians. Los Angeles County Medical Association/CMA members are eligible to save an additional 5%* because of their membership! LACMA and CMA partner with Mercer Health & Benefits Insurance Services LLC and Preferred Employers Insurance to provide best-in-class Workers’ Compensation insurance that includes safety and risk management advice along with outstanding customer service and an easy to navigate website in the event of a claim. This program is already serving the needs of hundreds of California physicians. Have you considered the Safety, Service, Stability, and Savings, offered by Preferred? Save today! It’s easy to get a quote. Visit CountyCMAMemberInsurance.com for information

or call 855-770-5257 to speak to a Client Advisor.

Underwritten by: PREFERRED EMPLOYERS Insurance

| a Berkley Company Administered by:

* Most practices will qualify for group pricing and receive the 5% discount; however some practices will need to be underwritten separately when they do not qualify for the special program terms and conditions. A minimum premium applies to very small payrolls. Program Administered by Mercer Health & Benefits Insurance Services LLC