Everyone has an opinion. There is no "opinionectomy." I looked for the CPT code, and it doesn't exist. Opinions are not vestigial organs. They are acquired by real-life experiences, good and bad. Now I want you--members and nonmembers--to share your opinions with the rest of us.

Our top priority at the VCMA has and continues to be increasing and strengthening physician membership. We are only as strong as our membership.

The San Bernardino County Medical Society welcomed the county public health officer for a discussion about flu, listened to a report about the American Medical Association Interim Meeting and debated the new Inland Empire Regional Health Information Organization.

From local business coalitions to regional health plans to the federal government, sponsors across the country are experimenting with new ways to drive quality improvement through incentives.

Riverside County educators want the medical community to know about resources available to young patients. Individuals listed in this article may be contacted for questions concerning children with special education needs. Parents may be referred to these people or to the school study team at the appropriate school.

At October's Riverside County Medical Association General Membership Meeting, guest speaker Det. Brian Money from the Riverside Police Department spoke on identity theft and white-collar crime in the physician's office.

On Oct. 21, 2005, a small group of Riverside County Medical Association physicians and their significant others embarked on a short, but event-packed, 10-day trip to India. The two-fold purpose of the trip was to establish medical ties with Riverside's sister city Hyderabad and to be exposed to and better understand the complexities of modern-day India.

The avian flu threat, while overblown, reinforces the value of personal preparedness.

The Network of Ethnic Physician Organizations adopts a strategic plan and hosts media training.

John Gordon Harold, MD * Tim Korber, MD * Brian Grade, MD * Barry Solof, MD * Seyed M. Rezaian, MD * David G. Diaz, MD

One doctor discusses the lighter side of life in retirement and another opines about the unique demands and opportunities in working with home health agencies.

A study by Medi-Cal HMOs shows incentives benefit doctors, health plans and patients.

A SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) provides an interesting legal technique to reduce public criticism by any person or entity with whom you disagree. If someone disagrees with you, sue him! In most cases, just the threat of legal action squelches critics.

It's January. That means the start of many new laws, enacted by the Legislature. One of those, SB 941, affects the Emergency Medical Services Fund (EMSF) program, which is implemented by the County of Orange and administered by the Orange County Medical Association. Because some of the changes are significant, EMSF-enrolled physicians and their billing agents should learn about the changes and submit claims accordingly.

If you attend a medical meeting or read an article about healthcare in a magazine or newspaper, you are immediately reminded that our country is in the midst of a healthcare crisis.

Medical students learn about organized medicine and network with physicians about real-life practice issues.

New information for physicians is available on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Web site, enabling doctors to determine if they qualify for Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) bonus payments for 2006 on claims from Jan. 1, 2006, through Dec. 31, 2006.

In response to repeated physician calls about Medicare Part D, the Los Angeles County Medical Association hosted a series of seminars on the new prescription drug benefit this past fall. Presented by Catalina Ramirez, director of economic advocacy, and Faye Mosley, director of member services, the meetings taught physicians how Medicare Part D works.

And according to a September 2005 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association, there has been an across-the-board decrease in the number of internal medicine residents seeking primary care positions. So why this move away from primary care? This reason is simple: It's about the money.

Want help from a practice management consultant? Take these nine points to heart.

After joining the relief effort in Louisiana, Donald Sharps, MD, can see how important teamwork is in the local mental health system.

Emergency medical services experts have a lot to say about California's overall readiness for a natural or manmade disaster. But in many ways, preparedness comes down to you. Get ready for emergencies now to keep your practice open, your employees safe and your family secure.