California Medical Association

Medicaid cuts will have devastating consequences for millions of Americans - real families, children, pregnant women, seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities will suffer as a result. Contact your Representative today and explain the importance of Medicaid (Medi-Cal)! https://lnkd.in/gTEgyb5U

Californians depend on Medi-Cal—the state’s Medicaid program—and strongly support funding the program. In fact, 67.9% of California voters supported increasing Medi-Cal funding in November 2024. Medi-Cal provides economic security for millions of people who cannot afford coverage and is essential to their health. #FridayFacts #SaveMedicaid

As a pediatrician, I cannot stay silent as discussions about altering the childhood vaccine schedule gain traction. Misinformation isn’t just a debate—it’s a public health threat. Let’s separate myth from fact and highlight why changing the vaccine schedule puts children, seniors, and entire communities at risk. 🚫 Myth: "Vaccines cause autism and chronic illness." ✅ Fact: This claim has been repeatedly debunked by independent research, including: 🔹 CDC: No link in 25+ studies. (CDC, 2019) 🔹 Institute of Medicine: "No credible evidence." (IOM, 2004) 🔹 BMJ: The original 1998 study was fraudulent and retracted. (BMJ, 2011) 🚫 Myth: "Too many vaccines, too soon." ✅ Fact: The vaccine schedule is based on decades of research to protect children when they’re most vulnerable. 🔹 Delaying vaccines increases the risk of severe illness. (AAP, 2022) 🔹 Spreading out shots offers no safety benefit—only more risk. (CDC, 2023) 🚫 Myth: "Natural immunity is better." ✅ Fact: Infection can be dangerous or deadly: 🔹 Measles wipes out immune memory, making kids vulnerable for years. (Science, 2019) 🔹 Polio can cause permanent paralysis. 🔹 Chickenpox can lead to pneumonia and brain swelling. (CDC, 2023) Vaccines provide immunity—without the deadly risks. ************************************************************************ Weakening childhood vaccine policies threatens seniors and immunocompromised individuals: 🔹 Whooping cough (Pertussis): Deadly in infants and seniors. (CDC, 2022) 🔹 Measles: Outbreaks increase risk of severe pneumonia and brain swelling. 🔹 Flu & Pneumonia: Childhood vaccines help prevent hospitalization and death in seniors. (NEJM, 2019) The recent measles outbreak in Texas is proof that declining vaccine rates lead to more hospitalizations and preventable deaths. If the vaccine schedule is changed, the consequences will be devastating—especially for kids and seniors. Public health decisions must be evidence-based, not political. The science is clear: vaccines save lives. #VaccinesWork #PublicHealth #Pediatrics #ScienceMatters #ProtectKids #ProtectSeniors

This death, the first from measles in 10 years, was a tragedy - but an avoidable one. The vast majority of patients infected with the respiratory virus in the current outbreak have been unvaccinated. #VaccinesWork #VaccinesSaveLives https://lnkd.in/gbaDDeCr

Today’s decision by the House of Representatives to move forward with a budget that includes Medicaid cuts of up to $880 billion is disappointing and dangerous. These cuts will have devastating consequences for millions of Americans - real families, children, pregnant women, seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities will suffer as a result. CMA urges the House to reject these harmful cuts and protect access to care for all Americans, ensuring that every individual has the ability to receive the medical attention they need. The fight doesn't stop with today's vote. We have to keep uplifting the voices of physicians and the patients they represent. Contact your Representative today and explain the importance of Medicaid (Medi-Cal)! https://lnkd.in/gTEgyb5U

Nearly 25% of physicians say that prior authorization has led to a serious adverse event for a patient in their care. That's why #CMADocs are partnering with Assemblymember Dawn Addis, Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo, Assemblymember John Harabedian & Senator Josh Becker on this important package of bills to #FixPriorAuth! https://lnkd.in/g8PeJmcn

Introducing AB 510 - The Prior Authorization for Treatment Informed Evaluation, Navigation and Trust Act (PATIENT Act), aimed at ensuring health insurers provide fair and medically informed reviews of treatment denials. Under current law, health insurers may deny care without adequate review, leading to delays and barriers to necessary treatment. When a physician’s recommended treatment is denied, AB 510 will mandate timely communication between treating physicians and reviewing specialists. It’s vital that health care decisions must be made by professionals who understand the complexities of a patient’s condition. AB 510 is critical to protecting patient rights and ensuring access to a fair, transparent process that prioritizes health over profits.

California physicians need your help to make sure Congress understands how devastating Medicaid & Medicare cuts will be to patient access to care and the health of Americans. Take action now here: https://lnkd.in/g9_EMSMH

Did you know that #Medicaid expansion prevents thousands of premature deaths each year, saving the lives of at least 19,200 adults between 2014 and 2017? Conversely, 15,600 adults died prematurely in states that didn't expand Medicaid. #FridayFacts #SaveMedicaid https://lnkd.in/gAr3v_gE

Important work from #CMADocs Mary C. Meyer MD MPH & Dr. Laura Myers: "As frontline physicians in Northern California, we know all too well what that billowing smoke means for L.A.'s health and health systems." https://lnkd.in/gxfMif2Y