SMCMA meets with Congressman Mullin September 7, 2023 Areas of interest(s): Federal advocacy, GME, Medicare, Physician Pipeline, Telehealth On September 6, 2023, leadership from the San Mateo County Medical Association (SMCMA) met with Congressman Kevin Mullin at his District office in San Mateo to discuss Federal Advocacy Priorities for 2023. The meeting provided a platform for SMCMA leaders to address Medicare rates, physician shortages, and improved patient access to care. Specific bills discussed during the meeting included: Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Physicians Act of 2023 – H.R. 2474 (Ruiz, Buschon, Bera, Miller-Meeks). This bill provides an automatic annual inflation update to Medicare Physician Payments and is intended to help stabilize physician practices, reduce consolidation, and protect patient access to care. Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2023 – S. 1302 (Menendez, Boozman, Schumer, Collins) and H.R. 2389 (Sewell, Fitzpatrick). This bill would provide 14,000 new Medicare-supported Graduate Medical Education (GME) physician residency training positions over 7 years to address serious shortages in the physician workforce and pipeline. Connect for Health Act of 2023 – S. 2016 (Schatz, Wicker, Cardin, Thune, Warner, Hyde-Smith) and H.R. 4189 (Thompson, Matsui, Schwelkert, Johnson). This bill would permanently expand access to telehealth services consistent with the COVID-19 pandemic waivers. The SMCMA Delegation included Dr. Aditi Patel – Current President and CMA Delegate; Dr. David Goldschmid – 2006-07 President and CMA Delegate; Dr. John Hoff – 2009-10 President; Dr. Connor Lundy – Secretary/Treasurer and CMA Delegate; Dr. Pradeepa Selvakumar – Board Director-at-Large and CMA Delegate; Dr. Robert Spencer – CMA Delegate; and Mr. Keith Darby – Executive Director. SMCMA is grateful for those who took important time out of their practices to attend the meeting to advocate for patient access and help maintain a positive relationship with our local Congressional office. If you are interested in becoming involved to advocate for your profession and patients, please email smcma@smcma.org.
