San Diego Physician Takes Office as President, California Academy of Family Physicians
April 19, 2012
San Diego family physician Steven A. Green, MD will serve a one-year term as president of the 8,000-member California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) beginning April 21, 2012, when he takes office at the CAFP Annual Scientific Assembly in Indian Wells, CA.

California Academy of Family Physicians Names Santa Rosa Health Care Leader “2012 Family Physician of the Year”
April 19, 2012
Santa Rosa family physician Lyman “Bo” Greaves, MD has been named the California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) 2012 Family Physician of the Year. He will accept the award on April 21 at a ceremony at the CAFP Annual Scientific Assembly in Indian Wells, CA.

California Academy of Family Physicians Awards USC Faculty Leader Its 2012 Award for Educational Excellence
April 19, 2012
Los Angeles family physician J. Dennis Mull, MD, MPH is receiving the California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) 2012 Award for Educational Excellence in Honor of Barbara Harris. He will accept the award on April 21 at a ceremony at the CAFP Annual Scientific Assembly in Indian Wells, CA.

California Academy of Family Physicians Names UC Davis Doctors-in-Training “2012 Residents of the Year”
April 19, 2012
Three Sacramento family-physicians-in-training will share the California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) 2012 Residents of the Year Award, which recognizes new physicians who represent the finest characteristics of family medicine. The winners are: Alisha Dyer, DO of the Sutter Health Family Medicine Residency Program and president of the CAFP Residency Council; Charlene Hauser, MD, MPH, chief resident at the University of California, Davis, Family Medicine Residency Program; and Randi Sokol, MD, MPH, also at UC Davis.

California Academy of Family Physicians Names UC Davis Doctors-in-Training “2012 Residents of the Year”
April 19, 2012
Three Sacramento family-physicians-in-training will share the California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) 2012 Residents of the Year Award, which recognizes new physicians who represent the finest characteristics of family medicine. The winners are: Alisha Dyer, DO of the Sutter Health Family Medicine Residency Program and president of the CAFP Residency Council; Charlene Hauser, MD, MPH, chief resident at the University of California, Davis, Family Medicine Residency Program; and Randi Sokol, MD, MPH, also at UC Davis.

California Academy of Family Physicians Names Henderson, NV Physician “2012 Hero of Family Medicine”
April 19, 2012
Family physician Eric Ramos, MD has been named the California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) 2012 Hero of Family Medicine. He received the award at the CAFP’s Congress of Delegates in Sacramento on March 4, and will be acknowledged on April 21 at a ceremony at the CAFP Annual Scientific Assembly in Indian Wells, CA.

Family Physicians Save Bakersfield Primary Care Training Program
March 15, 2012
Hard work and leadership by Bakersfield area family physicians and others has saved a primary care physician training program that just a few weeks ago was threatened with permanent closure.

Family Physicians Protest Closure of Bakersfield Physician Training Program
February 27, 2012
Leaders of the California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) today delivered a letter to Kern Medical Center (KMC) CEO Paul Hensler protesting the planned closure of the center's family medicine residency program in Bakersfield, CA in the Central Valley.

Family Physician Leaders Support Court Ruling Preventing 10 Percent Cuts in Medi-Cal Provider Pay
February 2, 2012
A federal judge today issued a ruling that prevents the State of California from implementing a 10 percent cut in payment rates to physicians who provide care to patients in the Medi-Cal program.

Family Physicians Congratulate WellPoint On Investing in Primary Care and Supporting Medical Homes
January 27, 2012
CAFP strongly supports the decision announced today by WellPoint, Inc. to increase its focus on primary care and the patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model.

Family Physicians Announce Project To Improve Fresno School Employees’ Health Care
December 21, 2011
The California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) and the Fresno Unified School District’s health plan are supporting a three-year pilot project to transform care, improve employees’ health and reduce the district’s health care costs.

Family Physicians Denounce Today’s Federal Approval of State’s Medi-Cal Cuts
October 27, 2011
Carol S. Havens, MD, president of the California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP), today called the State of California’s newly approved plan to cut Medi-Cal payments to physicians “an outrage.” The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced that the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved the state’s plan to cut provider pay by 10 percent across a variety of health care programs.

California Becomes First State to Ban Tanning Bed Use by Young People; Family Physicians Support New Law
October 11, 2011
Governor Jerry Brown today signed into law a bill intended to decrease the incidence of skin cancer. Senate Bill 746, by Senator Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) will prohibit young people under the age of 18 from using indoor, ultraviolet (UV) tanning devices (commonly called tanning beds or booths). 

Rep. Mike Thompson (D – Napa) to Tour Santa Rosa Family Physician Training Program That Serves as National Model for Improving Health; Family Physicians Support Federal Legislation to Fund Pilot Projects in Such Settings
September 28, 2011
Congressman Mike Thompson (D – Napa), hosted by the California Academy of Family Physicians, will visit the Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency program.

Family Physicians Support First Ban in U.S. on Tanning Bed Use by Young People Under Age 18 
September 12, 2011
California’s family physicians are urging Governor Jerry Brown to sign a bill intended to decrease the incidence of skin cancer. Senate Bill 746, passed by the Legislature, would prohibit young people under the age of 18 from using indoor, ultraviolet (UV) tanning devices (commonly called tanning beds and booths). 

California Family Physicians: State’s Planned Medi-Cal Cuts Would Hurt Patients, Increase Cost of Care for All
August 8, 2011  
Family physicians made their case last week to federal elected and health care leaders, attesting that cuts to the Medi-Cal (Medicaid) program proposed by the State of California would hurt patients inside as well as outside of the program. The cuts would also hinder efforts to deliver the benefits of national health care reform in the state.

California Family Physicians Press Washington, DC Leaders to Deny State of California’s Move to Cut Medi-Cal Program
August 3, 2011  
Leaders at the California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) oppose the state’s plan to make medical care more expensive for Medi-Cal beneficiaries and access to physicians more difficult for them.  On Thursday, August 4, Kara Odom Walker, MD, MPH, MSHS will represent CAFP in meetings with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Donald Berwick, MD and several members of Congress in Washington, DC.

Family Physicians Call on HHS Secretary Sibelius: Reject State's Proposed Medi-Cal Cuts
June 15, 2011  
The California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) yesterday called on federal officials to deny requests by the State of California to make changes in the Medi-Cal program that CAFP says are illegal and would threaten patients' health and increase the State's health care costs.

Family Physicians To State Lawmakers: Avoid Unintended Health Care Consequences in Budget
June 15, 2011
On the countdown for the constitutional deadline for a State Budget, leaders of the California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) are calling on Governor Jerry Brown and state legislators to take a balanced approach.  

Peter Broderick, MD, Named 2011 Family Physician of the Year 
May 12, 2011
The 7,000-member California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) will present its 2011 Family Physician of the Year award to Peter Broderick, MD, MEd of Modesto at a ceremony at the City Club in San Francisco on the evening of May 13, 2011.

Carol S. Havens, MD, Takes Office as 2011-2012 President Of California Academy of Family Physicians 
May 12, 2011
Carol S. Havens, MD begins a one-year term as president of the 7,000-member California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) on May 14, 2011 at the Academy's Annual Scientific Assembly in San Francisco. 

Best-selling Author Abraham Verghese, MD To Speak at Family Physicians' Annual Meeting May 14 in San Francisco  
May 12, 2011
Renowned physician and best-selling author, Abraham Verghese, MD has earned accolades in and out of the medical community for his advocacy on behalf of patients.

Ashby Wolfe, MD Named 2011 Family Medicine Resident of the Year
May 12, 2011
The 7,000-member California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) will present its 2011 Family Medicine Resident of the Year award to Ashby Wolfe, MD, MPP, MPH at a ceremony at the City Club in San Francisco on the evening of May 13, 2011.

Steven A. Green, MD, Takes Office as 2011-2012 President-elect Of California Academy of Family Physicians  
May 12, 2011
Steven A. Green, MD begins a one-year term as president-elect of the 7,000-member California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) on May 14, 2011 at the Academy's Annual Scientific Assembly in San Francisco at the Grand Hyatt Union Square. After serving one year as president-elect, Dr. Green will become CAFP president in May 2012.

Jimmy H. Hara, MD Named 2011 Philanthropist of the Year By California Academy of Family Physicians   
May 12, 2011  
Jimmy H. Hara, MD will receive the 2011 Philanthropist of the Year award from the California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) at a ceremony on the evening of Friday, May 13, at the City Club in San Francisco.

Coalition Urges Senate Health Committee Support for ‘Medical Home' Bill
May 3, 2011
A coalition of family physicians, medical organizations, and patient advocates are urging the Senate Health Committee to pass legislation designed to improve health care quality and access, and increase the state's ability to qualify for critical federal health care dollars.

Family Physicians Urge Governor and Legislators to Balance State Budget Without Further Harming Families and Patients in Need
April 8, 2011
The 7,000-member California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) is calling on Governor Jerry Brown and Republican leaders in the Legislature to resume "meaningful" budget talks. 

Family Physicians Oppose Health Care Budget Cuts, Support June Vote to Let Public Decide Future of State-Funded Programs
March 16, 2011
Leaders of the California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) are calling for lawmakers to let voters decide in a June special election whether to maintain existing tax levels.

National Family Medicine Leader to Provide Up-To-The-Minute Progress Report on National Health Care Reform
March 4, 2011
Roland Goertz, MD, MBA, president of the influential American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), will present an up-to-the-minute report on how national health care reform efforts are unfolding both in Washington, DC and nationwide.

Family Physicians Oppose Attempt to Repeal Health Care Reform
January 18, 2011
Family Physicians oppose efforts in the US House of Representatives to repeal the nation's health care reform law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which became law in March 2010.

Family Physicians Urge Legislative Leaders to Reject Proposed Health Care Budget Cuts for People Living in Poverty
January 14, 2011
Family physicians say that Governor Jerry Brown's new proposal to balance the state budget in part by slashing funding for health and human services programs is inhumane and, if implemented, would create far more problems than it would solve.

2010 Press Releases

Family Physicians Welcome New Trans Fat Ban on January 1
December 16, 2010
California's family physicians eagerly await the final step in the implementation of a law passed in 2008 that will help protect the public's health.

Family Physicians Promise to Pursue Law Making Vaccines More Available to Children
September 27, 2010
Family physicians said they are "disappointed but not deterred" by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's veto today of Assembly Bill 2093.

California Academy of Family Physicians Wins $145,000 Grant To Help Doctors Begin Using Electronic Health Records
September 23, 2010
The California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) has been awarded a $145,000 grant from The Physicians Foundation to assist family doctors across the state in adopting electronic health records.  

Family Physicians Call on Governor to Sign Bill Making Vaccines More Available to Children
September 1, 2010
A bill to make vaccines more available to insured children statewide now awaits the Governor's signature.

Family Physicians Call on State Senate To Pass Medical Home Bill; Forward to Governor
August 27, 2010
The Senate has an opportunity to improve health care for millions of patients in California, says the president of the California Academy of Family Physicians.

Jack Chou, MD of Baldwin Park Takes Office as California Academy of Family Physicians President
May 13, 2010
Jack Chou, MD, a family physician who practices in Baldwin Park, CA, takes office as president of the 7,000-member California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) on Saturday.

Eric Ramos, MD of Modesto Named California Family Physician of the Year
May 13, 2010 
Eric Ramos, MD, a family physician with a long record of outstanding service to communities in the Modesto area, will accept the California Family Physician of the Year Award on Friday in San Francisco.

Study Shows Need to Improve Family Physician Payments And Emphasize Wellness in Health Care
April 30, 2010
Family physicians provide many hours of unpaid care to their patients every day, a new study shows, further documenting the need for insurers and government programs to increase family physician pay.

Family Physician Leads State and National Efforts To Increase Fitness, Combat Obesity
April 29, 2010
California family physician and fitness advocate Robert E. Sallis, MD, ABFP, FAAFP, FACSM of Fontana will participate as a speaker during the Launch event for the National Physical Activity Plan in Washington, DC on May 3.

Family Physicians Sponsor Bill to Increase Childhood Immunization Rates
April 5, 2010
The California Academy of Family Physicians is co-sponsoring legislation that would increase access to childhood immunizations by removing financial barriers encountered by both families and physicians.

California Family Physicians Laud Historic Passage of National Health Care Reform Bill
March 21, 2010
Leaders of the 7,000-member California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) this evening congratulated law makers in the House of Representatives on passing HR 3590, the Senate bill that promises health insurance coverage to some 32 million uninsured, a greater emphasis on wellness, and patient protections against insurance companies refusing and cancelling policies.

Two National Health Care Leaders Will Address California Academy of Family Physicians Congress of Delegates March 6
March 4, 2010
Two of the nation's most influential health care leaders, both prominent advocates for shaping national health care reform, will speak to 100 members of the California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) on Saturday, March 6, at the Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza.

Local Family Physician to Receive "Hero Award" at California Academy of Family Physicians Congress of Delegates
March 4, 2010
Local family physician Patricia Samuelson, MD will receive the California Academy of Family Physicians' (CAFP) "Hero Award" on Sunday, March 7 during CAFP's 2010 Congress of Delegates at the Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza, 300 J Street, in the Fresno/El Dorado/Diablo room.

Family Physicians Say ‘Medical Home' Will Improve Patients' Health and Reduce Unnecessary ER Visits
March 4, 2010
The president of the state's largest primary care physician organization today called on local and State leaders to join the California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) in implementing the "patient-centered medical home" model as a remedy for the enormous number of unnecessary emergency room (ER) visits.

Health Care Coalition Proposes New Sources of State Revenue As Alternatives to Health Program Cuts
February 3, 2010
The California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) and 15 other organizations concerned about public health are calling on Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislators to increase State revenue instead of making further cuts in State-funded health care programs. Members of The Coalition to Protect California Patients are delivering their proposals in a letter to senators and assemblymembers today.

Family Physicians Cautiously Optimistic About New Law Designed To Cut HMO Patient Wait Times, But Warn Primary Care Physician Shortage Could Jeopardize Effects
January 20, 2010
California's largest association of primary care physicians today cautiously praised the intent of new regulations intended to reduce wait times for patients in managed care, but warned that solving the state's primary care physician shortage is key to making the new regulations work.

CA Family Physicians Call for Increasing State Revenues, Not Cutting State Health Care Services
January 13, 2010
California's largest organization of primary care physicians is calling on legislators to increase revenues to balance the State's budget deficit instead of cutting programs that provide health care to children and adults living in poverty, keep people healthy and keep health care costs down.

2009 Press Releases

Family Physicians Support ‘Medical Home' for Improving Patient Care
November 18, 2009
Family physicians are strongly supporting the California Department of Health Care Services' goal of improving Medi-Cal beneficiaries' health care services by enrolling prospective patients in a model of care called a "medical home."

Family Physicians Protest Governor's Veto of Bill Designed to Help Solve Dire Primary Care Physician Shortage
October 13, 2009
California's largest primary care physician organization today condemned Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's veto of a bill its leaders say would have saved lives and relieved emergency room overcrowding.

Family Physicians Sponsor Bill to Help Solve Primary Care Doctor Shortage, Increase Health Care Workforce Diversity
September 16, 2009
California's largest primary care physician organization is urging Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign a bill its leaders say would put the State on track to solve some of its most difficult health care challenges.

California Family Physicians Endorse HR 3200, Support US House Proposal for National Health Care Reform
August 10, 2009
The California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) is endorsing HR 3200, a draft health care reform bill recently passed by the House Energy & Commerce Committee.  

California Family Physicians Denounce State Budget Cuts in Health Care Programs
July 30, 2009
California's family physicians are denouncing the new State budget signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger this week.

California Family Physicians Support President President Obama's Surgeon General Nominee and His Commitment to Health Care Reform
July 15, 2009
The state's largest association of primary care physicians is supporting today's nomination of Regina Benjamin, MD as U.S. Surgeon General.

California Academy of Family Physicians favors revenue increases, strong focus on patients' needs
July 1, 2009
Family physicians in California said today they continue to support revenue increases as an alternative to deep budget cuts in health and human services, as State legislators and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger struggle to find solutions to the budget crisis.

Family Physicians to State Lawmakers: Seek Revenue, Don't Harm Patients
June 18, 2009
As State elected leaders work to find ways out of California's massive budget deficit, California's largest organization of primary care physicians urges lawmakers not to harm patients while reasonable revenue sources remain untapped.

California Family Physicians Appeal to Members of Congress to Prevent State Health Care Budget Cuts
June 9, 2009
The 7,000 members of the California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) are calling on the state's Congressional delegation to prevent budgets cuts they say will be devastating to people living in poverty, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Family Physicians Champion New Health Care Model for California as Alternative to Health Care Budget Cuts
June 1, 2009
As Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Senate and Assembly leaders seek ways to balance the State budget, the California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) is proposing that they consider a proven approach to health care delivery as a way to cut costs.

Family Physicians Ask Governor and Legislators to Protect Health Care While Balancing State Budget 
May 20, 2009
The president of the California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) said today that the well-being of the State's most vulnerable residents should be the number one concern of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and State legislators as they tackle the State's budget deficit in the wake of Tuesday's special election.

California Academy of Family Physicians Welcomes Tom Bent, MD as New President
April 16, 2009
Tom Bent, MD, medical director and CEO of the Laguna Beach Community Clinic, begins his term as president of the 7,000-member California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) on Saturday, April 17.

Arcata Family Doctor Named Family Physician of the Year
April 16, 2009
Dr. Alan Glaseroff, a respected member of the Humboldt County medical community, will accept the 2009 Family Physician of the year Award from the California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) on Friday evening, April 17, 2009.

Director of Clinical Education for Northern California Kaiser Permanente Receives ‘Educational Excellence' Award from California Academy of Family Physicians Foundation
April 16, 2009
Carol Havens, MD, a Sacramento family medicine physician and national leader in medical education, will accept an award on Friday honoring her exceptional contributions to the field of physician education.

National Family Physician Leader Says ‘Primary Care Medical Home' Must be at Center of Health Care Reform to Improve Health and Decrease Costs
April 14, 2009
American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) President Ted Epperly, MD, speaking in Sacramento today, will explain how a focus on primary and preventive care can improve the nation's health while saving health care dollars.

Family Physicians' President Invited to Attend Western Regional White House Forum on Health Reform
April 6, 2009
Jeffrey Luther, MD, president of the 7,000-member California Academy of Family Physicians, has been invited by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to represent family physicians' and their patients' interests in health care reform at today's Forum.

Federal Government Stops Funding for Medical Training Program in One of Nation's Most Underserved Counties
March 18, 2009
A family physicians training program that provides health care to thousands of California's most underserved patients has received news from the federal government that the program will no longer receive funding.

Family Physicians Urge State Leaders: "Don't ask poor, frail, elderly, or children to solve budget crisis"
March 16, 2009
Family physicians are calling on Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and members of the State Legislature to look for alternatives, including increased revenues, to "trigger" (prevent) cuts in health and human service programs that appear imminent.  

Interview Opportunities: Family Medicine Leaders in Sacramento March 7-9
March 6, 2009
Eyewitness report on President Obama's March 5 White House Summit on Health Care Reform; Introducing CA Assembly Bill 1542 Promoting Patient-Centered Medical Home

Family Physicians Welcome State Budget; Look Forward to Health Care Reform
February 20, 2009
Family physicians are congratulating Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and California 's elected leaders on reaching a budget agreement during tough economic times. The next step they recommend is revisiting health care reform.

California Academy of Family Physicians Endorses RxVote 
February 9, 2009
The California Academy of Family Physicians has joined with several national organizations to endorse the growing RxVote Campaign, an unprecedented nonpartisan coalition of health care professionals, students, and health centers which offers patients the opportunity to register to vote in a clinical setting.

California Family Physicians Call on President Obama to Lead National Health Care Reform 
January 20, 2009
Members of the California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) today underscored a call for action with real-life patient stories to urge newly inaugurated President Barack Obama to begin immediately addressing health care reform nationwide.

Family Physicians Urge Lawmakers to Heed Governor's Warning, Find Solutions, as Health Care Hangs in the Balance
January 15, 2009
Family physicians throughout California today are urging legislators to heed the warning Governor Schwarzenegger delivered in today's State of the State address.

2008 Press Releases

California-based Diabetes & Family Medicine Experts Respond to New Study Showing Diabetes-related Costs are $218 Billion Annually
November 18, 2008
A nationally prominent expert at treating diabetes, a chronic illness with potentially serious complications including blindness, limb amputation and death, said today many complications of diabetes are preventable and family physicians play a key role in preventing and controlling the disease.

Vetoes Allow Profits to Trump Patient Care, Family Physicians Say
October 1, 2008
Family Physicians said Californians' health care is seriously compromised by Gov. Schwarzenegger's veto of a bill that would have mandated more money spent on health care and another that would have made it more difficult for health plans and insurers to refuse to pay for care.

State Government Proves to be a Poor Partner in Health Care, Family Physicians Say
September 23, 2008
Citing the record-setting budget delay and changes to the Medi-Cal program that will plunge an estimated 250,000 children into the ranks of the uninsured, family physicians today said the process and result of this budget show that "the California state government is ill prepared to be a good partner with us in the delivery of health care to poor Californians."

Family Physicians Hail Patient Care Benefits of Court Order Overturning Medi-Cal Payment Cuts
August 20, 2008
Family physicians today are commending a federal district judge's order that Monday overturned the State of California's 10% cut in fees to physicans who see the 6.5 million patients covered by the Medi-Cal program. "The judge agreed with our evidence that patients would suffer if the payment cuts were allowed to stand," said Jeffrey Luther, MD, president of the California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP). Click here to access a copy of the court order granting a preliminary injunction.

California Academy of Family Physicians Offers Emergency Loans to Doctors Facing 10% Medi-Cal Payment Cuts
August 7, 2008
The California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) today announced a program to provide loans to members suffering the negative economic effects of the 10% Medi-Cal cut in payments to physicians that took effect July 1.

Family Physicians Welcome Healthier Future for California;
Laud Governor's Signing of Trans Fat-Banning Bill
July 25, 2008
Family physicians across the state today commended the Governor’s signature of a bill making California the first state in the U.S. to bar restaurants from using health-compromising trans fats in food preparation.

Family Physicians Laud Congress on Medicare Veto Override;
Call on CA Legislators to Similarly Rescind Medi-Cal Cuts
July 16, 2008
The California Academy of Family Physicians today congratulated the state’s Congressional delegation on protecting seniors’ health care by overriding President Bush’s veto of key Medicare legislation.

Medi-Cal Cuts Place Millions of Patients’ Care in Jeopardy on July 1
July 1, 2008
Family medicine physicians across the state are bracing for the health care crisis facing their patients when a 10% reduction in physician payments takes effect on July 1.

California Seniors’ Health at Risk After U.S. Senate Vote, Family Physicians Say - June 27, 2008
Family physicians statewide warn that the 10.6% Medicare cut in payments to doctors taking effect July 1 puts California’s seniors’ health on the line.

Federal Judge Remands Medi-Cal Lawsuit Back to State Court - June 24, 2008
A coalition of health care providers has prevailed in its effort to have a lawsuit seeking to prevent a planned 10 percent cut in Medi-Cal and Denti-Cal payment rates heard in state, rather than federal, court.

First Wave of Budget Cuts Hits Health Care Providers Today
June 23, 2008
The first wave of budget cuts hits California today, when the state begins a two-week freeze of Medi-Cal reimbursements to health care providers, ending July 7.

Family Physicians Issue California Health Care Report - May 21, 2008
The California Academy of Family Physicians released a report outlining the shortcomings of health care in California, their negative effects on patients, and the need for serious change.

California Academy of Family Physicians Announces Family Physician of the Year - April 2008
The California Academy of Family Physicians recently announced Condessa Curley, MD, MPH of Los Angeles as the recipient of the 2008 Family Physician of the Year Award.

Long Beach Family Medicine Residency Director to Receive ‘Educational Excellence' Award from California Academy of Family Physicians Foundation - April 2008
Susan Melvin, DO is the recipient of the CAFP-F Award for Educational Excellence in Honor of Barbara Harris. CAFP-F annually presents this award to an individual who exemplifies innovation in family medicine education.

Physician Leaders Pilot Ways to Increase Workforce Diversity, Patients’ Access to Interpreters, and Culturally Proficient Care - April 2008
Physician leaders have a new prescription for clinics, health systems, and doctors’ offices: Take a lesson in cultural proficiency and call me in the morning, so we can tackle this important work.

Smoking Elimination Initiative to Set New Precedent for Collaborative CME - March 2008
7 partner organizations today jointly announced Continuing Education Aimed at Smoking Elimination (CEASE), an innovative continuing medical education initiative designed to improve public health by reducing the number of Americans who smoke.

Proposed 10% Medi-Cal Cuts Will Cut Patients’ Ability to Find Medical Care, Say Family Physicians Statewide - February 2008
Warning that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed 10% reduction in Medi-Cal payments will likely result in many physicians treating fewer Medi-Cal patients, family medicine physicians are opposing the cut.

2007 Press Releases

California Academy of Family Physicians Video Webcast: Medicare Cuts Threaten Patients’ Access to Care - December 2007
Cuts to physician payment in the Medicare program scheduled for 2008 and 2009 may drive more physicians from the program, forcing elderly and disabled patients from accessing needed care, according to a new video Web cast from the California Academy of Family Physicians.

Family Physicians Urge Lawmakers to Act on Health Care Reform - October 2007
The President of the California Academy of Family Physicians today called on the state's elected leaders to resolve their political differences to ensure health care coverage is available, affordable and accessible for the millions of people in California who currently are uninsured.

Patient's Health at Risk as Clinics Struggle Statewide - August 2007
Family physicians, the bedrock of primary and preventive care statewide, are urging California lawmakers to pass a state budget and resume funding to community clinics immediately to prevent interruptions in essential patient care.

Primary Care Shortage Threatens California Health Care Reform - July 2007
As California lawmakers undertake much-needed health care reform, a silent threat looms that could derail even the most well intentioned plans. That deafening silence is the sound of no doctors available to care for many of the planned 3 million to 4 million newly insured Californians expected when health care coverage is made more widely available.

Ada Marin, MD, MPH Named California Family Physician of the Year - March 2007
On Friday, March 30, 2007, during its 59th Annual Scientific Assembly at The Fairmont Hotel San Francisco, the California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) will announce Ada Marin, MD, MPH of San Diego as the recipient of the 2007 Family Physician of the Year Award.

UCSF Professor to Receive ‘Educational Excellence' Award from California Academy of Family Physicians Foundation - March 2007
On Friday, March 30, 2007, during its 59th Annual Scientific Assembly at The Fairmont Hotel San Francisco, the California Academy of Family Physicians-Foundation (CAFP-F) will announce San Francisco's Peter Sommers, MD, as the recipient of the CAFP Foundation Award for Educational Excellence in Honor of Barbara Harris.

Primary Care Not Viable Without Substantial Increase in Resources - February 2007 The lesson for California's and the nation's policymakers from an article published yesterday in the Annals of Internal Medicine is: "Primary care practice is not viable without a substantial increase in the resources available to primary care physicians."

Medical Leadership Council Announces New Database to Assist Physicians with Language Access - February 2007
The Medical Leadership Council on Cultural Proficiency has unveiled a first-of-it's-kind database to assist physicians and others in providing improved language access and culturally competent health care.

Op-Ed: Reform Our Health Care System