SMCMA Meets with Congressman Mullin November 7, 2024 Areas of interest(s): advocacy As part of ongoing advocacy efforts, your SMCMA met with Congressman Kevin Mullin on October 22nd to discuss current federal priorities impacting the practice of medicine. The meeting occurred at the Congressional District 15 office in San Mateo during the October Congressional recess. During the meeting, the SMCMA Delegation addressed the 2.8% Medicare payment cut slated for 2025 and thanked Congressman Mullin for cosigning the Dear Colleague Letter urging Congress to stop the cut and provide an inflation update during the lame duck session that will follow the November elections. SMCMA delegates reiterated the concern that the Medicare physician payment system is causing instability in physician practices that is leading to burn-out, physicians leaving Medicare, or retiring early – all of which are exacerbating physician shortages and threatening patient access to care. Replacing the cut with an inflation update for one year would help stabilize physician practices and protect patient care until long-term Medicare payment reforms are made. The group also discussed permanently extending the pandemic telehealth waivers, extending the expiring Alternative Payment Model (APM) bonuses, and increasing residency positions to build a pipeline of new physicians to address the growing patient access to care problems. Congressman Mullin was also thanked for his recent attendance at the Proposition 35 briefing given to the California Democratic Caucus by CMA CEO Dustin Corcoran and CA Planned Parenthood CEO Jodi Hicks – Co-Chairs of the Prop 35 coalition. The SMCMA delegation stressed the importance of Prop 35, citing the need for additional Medi-Cal providers on the Peninsula, high emergency room utilization rates within the county, and how the passing of Prop 35 would help address these issues and expand access in San Mateo County. The SMCMA Delegation included current President Dr. Cindy Cooper; President-Elect Dr. Connor Lundy; Past President’s Dr. David Goldschmid & Dr. Barbara Weissman; Board Member Dr. Kendall Allred; and Executive Director Mr. Keith Darby. SMCMA continues to maintain a positive relationship with Congressman Mullin, and we are grateful for his willingness to understand and support important issues impacting physicians in San Mateo County.
