The California Medical Association (CMA) estimates that, statewide, more than 13 million people could lose access to their physician absent financial assistance to maintain the financial viability of physician practices. According to CMA’s statewide survey of physicians over the past week, 95% of physicians are worried about their practices’ financial health due to the financial stress they are experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Virtually all practices (98%) report a substantial decrease in patient volume.

Should California lose these critical pieces of the health care infrastructure, we will be unable to meet the demand for medically necessary care that is building as the state's health care resources are currently focused on treatment of COVID-19 patients.

To protect physician practices and ensure California patients have timely access to medical care, CMA is urging the legislature to invest in the physicians of California, whose practices have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency and related orders to suspend elective surgeries and non-emergent services.

CMA is asking physicians to contact their local legislators today as they prepare to debate the 2020-2021 state budget. It is critically important that the legislature understands how the pandemic is impacting physician practice and their ability to serve their patients.

By acting quickly, California can ensure that medical practices remain financially viable during the pandemic and the economic aftermath.

Click here to contact your legislators today to share how the pandemic is impacting your ability to serve patients!