We applaud the family physicians from around the state who have been submitting letters to the editor in their local newspapers, acting as spokespeople, and even writing their own opinion editorials calling attention to the negative impacts of the proposed cuts in Medi-Cal and Medicare payments, the primary care physician shortage, and the need for increasing the diversity of the state’s physician workforce.

April 2008

Modesto Bee – “Doctors not nearly as diverse as the valley; Southeast Asians and Latinos underserved,” Interview with Peter Broderick, MD

San Jose Mercury News – “Diversity is Key in Health Care,” Letter to the Editor by Sumana Reddy, MD

Fresno Bee – “Wanted: Diverse Docs,” Letter to the Editor by Adriana Padilla, MD re: need to increase diversity of physician workforce

New York Times – “Universal Health Care, but by Whom?” Letter to the Editor by Carla Kakutani, MD re: family physician shortage

Santa Rosa Press Democrat – “A reduction in care” Interview with Bo Greaves, MD

Santa Rosa Press Democrat – Editorial: Why it makes no sense to cut Medi-Cal spending

March 2008

Grass Valley Union – “Access to health care in the hands of Congress,” Opinion Editorial by Rene Kronland, MD

Wall Street Journal – “Doctor-Blogger Calls for More Money to Fix Primary Care,” Response posted by Carla Kakutani, MD on WSJ Health blog

Stockton Record – "Medi-Cal Cuts Would Lock Poor Out of Health Care, Experts Contend," Interview with Ange Mouttapa, MD

Bakersfield Californian – “Medi-Cal Cuts Will Hurt Us All”, Letter to the Editor by Michelle Quiogue, MD

Modesto Bee – “Cue the sad music at the Capitol,” Interview with Eric Ramos, MD

Fresno Bee – “Failed Blue Cross Pact Still Hurts: Many travel far for care after Children’s Hospital cancellation,” Interview with Marcia Sablan, MD

Los Angeles Times – “An exodus from Medi-Cal: Further cuts in reimbursement rates are forcing doctors to reject new patients,” Interviews with Maureen Strohm, MD, Eric Ramos, MD, Jospeh Leonard, MD, Jeffrey Luther, MD, Carla Kakutani, MD, and Paul Sucgang, MD

KNBC-TV, Los Angeles – Featured Maureen Strohm, MD in a story about the impact of Medi-Cal cuts on Keck/USC family medicine residency program at California Hospital.

San Francisco Chronicle – “Newsom ready to sue over cuts in Medi-Cal,” Interviews with Teresa Villela, MD and Michael Potter, MD

February 2008

Modesto Bee – “Hospital care is a specialty that helps patients, cuts costs,” – Interview with Tom Wilson, MD

Los Angeles Times – Letter to the Editor by Jeffrey Luther, MD re: Medi-Cal cuts and primary care physician shortage

Long Beach Press Telegram – Letter to the Editor by Jeffrey Luther, MD re: Medi-Cal cuts and primary care physician shortage

Davis Enterprise – Letter to the Editor by Carla Kakutani, MD: Medi-Cal cuts and primary care physician shortage

Woodland Daily Democrat – Letter to the Editor by Carla Kakutani, MD re: Medi-Cal cuts and primary care physician shortage

January 2008

Modesto Bee – “Turlock Hospital Boosting Basic Care with New Center,” Interview with Edmond Ghahramani, MD

December 2007

Sacramento Bee – Letter to the Editor by Carla Kakutani, MD re: importance of the Legislature passing health care reform

San Francisco Chronicle – “Seize This Opportunity,” Letter to the Editor by Susan Hogeland, CAE re: importance of the Legislature passing health care reform

September 2007

Sacramento Bee, Crossroads/Health Care blog: “Public Comment on ‘Medical Home’ Model,” position piece by Carla Kakutani, MD

June 2007

San Diego Union Tribune – “Doctor honored for mentoring, using technology,” Interview with Ada Marin, MD

May 2007

Southern California Physician – “Breaking Language Barriers: Addressing Language Access,” Feature by Leonard Fromer, MD

Have you submitted a letter to the editor or acted as a health care resource for a local reporter? If so, let us know!