California Academy of Family Physicians

Family Medicine Loses a Bold Champion

dean — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:34:28 +0000

We regretfully announce that former CAFP Foundation Board Member and current Chair of the AAFP Commission on Science Jonathan �Jack� Rodnick, MD died suddenly while on vacation last week. Dr. Rodnick was a leader in the UCSF Department of Family and Community Medicine for many years, serving for more than a dozen years as chair of the department and remaining a key member of the department after he stepped down in 2003. Services will be held Saturday, March 2 at 2 pm at UCSF�s Toland Hall (located on the first floor of UC Hall, 533 Parnassus Ave), followed by a reception at the Faculty-Alumni House (745 Parnassus Ave).

Health Care Reform Legislation is Shelved

dean — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:30:05 +0000

AB X1 1, the latest version of health care reform legislation, was thoroughly examined in the Senate Health Committee on January 23. Despite the supportive testimony from a diverse group of organizations (including CAFP) the Senate Health Committee defeated the bill, with only one �aye� vote, a huge disappointment to many who had worked so hard for so long on this imperfect, but potentially good enough, legislation. CAFP sent out a press release after the vote and CAFP Legislative Affairs Committee member, Karun Grossman, MD spoke at a press conference along with the bill�s authors Assembly Speaker Fabian N��ez and Governor Schwarzenegger after the vote. The Governor thanked Dr. Grossman, CAFP and the many other supportive organizations for their hard work and efforts in attempting to change our fractured health care system, and vowed to continue reform efforts. Read a full transcript of the press conference.

CAFP Resident Urges Budget Committee to Reconsider Medi-Cal Cuts

dean — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:27:04 +0000

Bridget Harrison, MD, MPH, a resident at the San Jose O’Connor Family Medicine Residency Program (and graduate of CAFP�s �Residents in Action� leadership training program) testified at the Capitol before an Assembly Budget sub-committee regarding the dire consequences the Governor�s proposed 10 percent cut on Medi-Cal rates and services would have for her clinic and other clinics throughout the state. Dr. Harrison detailed how her already over-booked clinic would be even further limited by these cuts and stressed that the medical and financial impact not just for the patients, but all Californians. CAFP will continue vigorously to oppose these cuts and urge legislators in their counterproposals to, at the very least, maintain current funding levels, so as not to lose more than $1.4 billion in federal matching funds for these programs.

Brief Survey Determines if Your Practice Fits the Medical Home Model

dean — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:25:46 +0000

TransforMED, an AAFP initiative focused on transformative practice re-design, has created a brief survey for physicians to gauge if their practices are moving closer to becoming a patient-centered medical home. This survey was designed to help practices self-determine how they score in comparison to the key elements of the medical home model. Are you curious to find out your practice�s medical home fitness level? You may have already incorporated some of the elements into your practice. Take five minutes to fill out the survey or find more information about the medical home.

NDDC Resource of the Month: Diabetes Care Coordinator Training Program

dean — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:23:38 +0000

Do you have a medical assistant, nursing assistant or other office staff member who is interested, willing, and capable of being a Diabetes Care Coordinator? If so, the California Diabetes Program can help! They have created a program that trains staff members how to facilitate diabetes care in the office. Visit CAFP�s Diabetes Resource Center for more information and see if there is a health promotion specialist in your area.

Health Technology CME Course Offered by UC Davis

dean — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:22:16 +0000

UC Davis� Second Annual Health Informatics Conference will take place Saturday, March 1 at the UC Davis Health System Education Building in Sacramento. �The Health Informaticist: The Human Side of Health Technology� will focus on the multidisciplinary team responsible for designing, implementing and evaluating the applications from the field of information science to health care and public health. Register online.

Free Prescription Program Passes Savings on to Your Patients

dean — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:20:50 +0000

The Together Rx Access Program helps eligible individuals and their families save money on prescriptions at their neighborhood pharmacy. Most cardholders save 25 to 40 percent and medicines in the Program include those used to treat high cholesterol, diabetes, depression, asthma and many other common conditions. The card is free to get and free to use.

Individuals may be eligible for the Together Rx Access card if they do not qualify for Medicare, do not have public or private prescription drug coverage, have a household income of up to $30,000 for a single person or $60,000 for a family of four (income eligibility is adjusted for family size), and are legal residents of the United States or Puerto Rico.

For more information, visit http://www.togetherrxaccess.com or call (800) 250-2839.

Immunization Updates Provided by Calif. Dept. of Public Health

dean — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:17:47 +0000

As the 2007-08 flu season winds down, it is time to begin preparing for the next flu season. Please see the attached memo (PDF) which reminds all California physicians to begin placing orders for the 2008-09 flu season. The memo also includes information on all influenza-related legislation that affects acute care facilities and physicians in California.

In other vaccination news, because of the recent recall and anticipated shortage of the Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has suspended the recommendation for a booster dose of Hib vaccine for most children. As a result of the changes in supply and recommendations, the California Department of Public Health has issued a Special Immunization Schedule (PDF) that temporarily amends the Hib vaccine requirements for children in California who attend licensed child care and related early-childhood programs.

Congress of Delegates Handbook, Resolutions Now Available

dean — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:16:13 +0000

The Congress of Delegates, CAFP�s policymaking body, will meet in Sacramento, March 8-10 and, in addition to the policy discussions, will include leadership, media and legislative testimony training as well as legislative visits. All members are welcome to attend the Congress as spectators and to participate in the trainings and legislative visits. If you are interested, please contact Susan Hogeland, CAE at (415) 345-8667 or shogeland@familydocs.org.

The official 2008 Delegates Handbook containing resolutions to be considered by CAFP�s Congress of Delegates has been sent to all delegates and alternates whose names were submitted to the Academy by their respective chapters. The Handbook and resolutions can also be found on the Congress of Delegates page of www.familydocs.org.

Sacramento FP Featured as CAFP�s Member of the Month

dean — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:12:03 +0000

Each month, CAFP spotlights a champion of family medicine. Jamie Saben, MD of Sutter West Medical Group in Sacramento is our featured member of the month for February. Dr. Saben was a 2007 Pfizer Teacher Development Award recipient. This national award honors 15 community-based physicians each year for their commitment to education in the field of family medicine. Dr. Saben was selected for scholastic achievement, leadership and dedication to family medicine. View Dr. Saben�s complete profile.

If you would like to nominate a colleague (or yourself) for Member of the Month, please contact Jessica Kuo at mailto:jkuo@familydocs.org.