PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Session Adjourned!

As the state legislative session has come to an end, I'm pleased to share that several priority bills for SSVMS and the California Medical Association have passed the legislature and are now awaiting the Governor Newsom's signature. These include:

• AB 977: It provides equal protections for health care workers across all settings, addressing violence in emergency departments.
• SB 1120: Also known as the Physicians Make Decision Act, it mandates that physicians, not AI, make the final decisions on patient treatments, balancing innovation with patient safety.
• AB 2164: This bill protects physician mental health by preventing the requirement to disclose non-impairing mental health conditions to licensing boards.
• SB 963: It mandates emergency departments to implement programs for the self-identification of human trafficking and domestic violence victims.

Unfortunately SB 516, which would have streamlined prior authorization processes, did not advance to the Governor's desk. SSVMS and CMA will continue to push for solutions to address this issue.

Similarly, AB 815, aimed at simplifying physician credentialing, was held in committee. SSVMS and CMA will continue our efforts on this issue as well.

The clock is now ticking for Governor Newsom who has one month to act on these items. We'll let you know when these bills are either signed into law or vetoed.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our profession.

Vanessa Walker, DO

SSVMS President

SACRAMENTO STREET MEDICINE SEEKING PROVIDERS

SSM is looking for individuals dedicated to coordinating care for the growing unsheltered community in Sacramento.