Join fellow members of the California Medical Association for the 33rd Annual CMA Legislative Leadership Day on Tuesday, April 24, in Sacramento. Each year, physicians have the opportunity to interact with key legislators and hear about significant health policies in California. More than 500 doctors are expected to attend what's considered the most important medical-political event of the year.

This one-day conference will consist of a CMA policy briefing designed to educate physicians on existing health proposals that impact their profession and patients. Doctors will also receive basic instruction on how to communicate with elected officials so their opinions are heard. Later, physicians will visit the capitol to meet with individual senators and Assembly members to discuss healthcare solutions for the state.

At press time, the schedule and speakers for the event were not confirmed. However, in 2006, the event included a legislative panel with State Sen. Denise Moreno Ducheny (D-San Diego) and State Sen. George Runner (R-Lancaster), and a political pundits panel featuring democratic strategist Richie Ross and republican strategist Dan Schnur.

To expose future physicians to the political process, several of the Southern California medical associations will sponsor the registrations of medical students. Aspiring physicians from UCLA, USC, UCI, Loma Linda University and Western University will attend.

During the evening prior to the event, on April 23, the Los Angeles County Medical Association will host a reception enabling medical students to meet and network with physicians and legislators.

For details on Legislative Leadership Day, visit www.cmanet.org.