Governor Gavin Newsom released his 2021-22 State Budget proposal today, marking the beginning of a five-month long budget negotiation with the State Legislature. Despite dire predictions last year of a significant budget shortfall, California’s fiscal outlook looks strong for 2021-22 with a multibillion-dollar surplus. Many health programs will be maintained or augmented, including $33 million in ongoing […]
Before the end of the federal legislative session, Congress passed and the President signed a package of bills that provide states and individuals with COVID-19 support and funds, renew several important health care programs, and make key health care policy changes. In a major win for primary care, the bills extend funding for Community Health […]
The application cycle for CalHealthCares opens on January 18, 2021. CalHealthCares is a relatively new loan repayment program for new physicians who maintain a patient caseload of 30 percent or more Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Awardees can receive up to $300,000 in exchange for a five-year service obligation. Awardees must have graduated from a physician residency program […]
As a reminder, there are two critical changes to prescribing laws that took effect on January 1, 2021. First, pads used to write and fill prescriptions for controlled substances are required to have a 12-character serial number, a corresponding barcode, and other security features. Prescribers who do not possess these prescription pads are encouraged to […]
CAFP has supported the passage of SB 793, and has also signed onto an amicus brief opposing tobacco company efforts to prevent enforcement of SB 793. Recently, a coalition representing the tobacco industry submitted 1 million signatures to the California Secretary of State seeking to qualify a referendum for the November 2022 ballot aimed at […]
There are two critical changes to prescribing laws taking effect on January 1, 2021. First, pads used to write and fill prescriptions for controlled substances are required to have a 12-character serial number, a corresponding barcode, and other security features. Prescribers who do not possess these prescription pads are encouraged to place an order as soon as possible from […]
AB 890, allowing new categories of nurse practitioners (NPs) to practice with expanded authority under certain conditions was signed into law without the significant amendments for which CAFP had fought. While CAFP was not successful in significantly amending the bill, the bill is now law and the regulatory implementation process has begun. One of the first steps in […]
As part of CAFP's ongoing advocacy efforts around COVID-19, we have been collecting ongoing information about how the pandemic has affected your practice's financial viability. This data is crucial to our ability to advocate on your behalf. Please fill out this VERY brief survey if you have not already done so - it doesn't matter […]
By CAFP Lobbyist Bryce Docherty In the iconic story Alice in Wonderland, the Cheshire Cat says, “We’re all mad here,” to Alice in one of the most concise descriptions of the strange world down the rabbit hole. Unlike the world Alice left behind, "mad" is not necessarily a bad thing. It suggests embracing a side […]
At the recent annual American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Congress of Delegates (COD), physician delegate members from across the country approved a resolution submitted by the California chapter calling for the AAFP to advocate for national policy that improves reproductive healthcare for incarcerated and detained individuals. While the AAFP already has policy that supports […]
