A group works to correct the damage false testimony can do to patients and physicians.

Howard Krauss, MD * Jay Harness, MD * Bruce Chernof, MD * Ronald Greeno, MD * George Orloff, MD

To educate physicians about what the RICO settlements mean and how they can maximize their financial relief, the California Medical Association and American Medical Association presented two one-day seminars in May. Titled "Fighting Back: Holding Blue Cross and Other Health Plans Accountable," the meetings took place May 18 at the Los Angeles County Medical Association and May 19 at the Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association.

The Los Angeles County Medical Association Government Relations Department hosted a primary election event on June 6 to celebrate the wins of LA County candidates it supported. The reception, featuring cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, was held at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Los Angeles County Medical Association Political Action Committee board members, local legislators and business owners attended.

The hotter months bring out more injuries among children. Here's what to tell parents.

Medical coding, billing and collections are cornerstones of practice profitability. Without those functions, doctors can't remain in the business of healthcare delivery. Here, experts share how physicians can maximize their revenue and tell where to find valuable reimbursement resources.

Ideas and images captured from the California Medical Association Ninth Annual California Healthcare Leadership Academy. While no one thinks radical health reform is possible, learn the solutions proposed by top healthcare economists; leaders in business, labor and insurance; and an expert in health disparities.

Healthcare delivery can never be considered an industry completely subject to all the antitrust rules of a free market. Unlike other industries that are not conflicted with moral dilemma, health keepers--thankfully--are not willing to refuse life or death services to those who cannot pay. The time is ripe for physicians to unite behind a renewed effort to urge Congress to pass an antitrust exemption bill for healthcare.

Jonathan Fielding, MD, MPH, director of public health and health officer for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, was keynote speaker at a lecture on pandemic flu preparedness. Hosted on May 25 by the Los Angeles County Medical Association at the UCLA Fowler Museum, the event drew more than 50 local physicians eager to prepare for a potential outbreak.

The top officer ranks of the Los Angeles County Medical Association have been filled for 2006-07. Ralph Di Libero, MD, a Los Angeles orthopedic surgeon and former president of District 1, will serve as president. He was most recently president-elect. Simultaneously, Robert Bitonte, MD, JD, a Los Angeles physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, will take the post of treasurer. David Aizuss, MD, will act as president-elect and Howard Krauss, MD, as secretary.

L.A. Care Health Plan will contribute $40.5 million to the Children's Health Initiative of Greater Los Angeles, the coalition responsible for raising money to support Healthy Kids. Healthy Kids is a free and low-cost health insurance program for children from low-income families in LA County.

Dawn Bruner, MD, becomes the 117th president of the Orange County Medical Association in July and will be only the seventh woman to serve in that capacity.

The four changes include a new address for claims, a new state law, tobacco settlement revenue decrease and electronic transfer of funds available.

Multiple issues compete for headlines: immigration reform, nursing PhD programs, physician extenders, and California's high school exit exam. How do these topics impact our concerns? They indicate a physician shortage.

More than 175 attendees from hospitals and programs in California, Washington and Arizona learned how to deal with impaired physicians at the 18th Annual Western States Regional Conference on Physicians' Well-Being.

On April 25 and 26, the Riverside County Medical Association, the California Medical Association and the American Medical Association presented three forums for members and nonmembers in the Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage and Indio areas.

As each issue of the Medical Board of California's Action Report is released, it is common practice for readers to jump to the section where the names of disciplined physicians are listed. Perhaps this is due to basic human curiosity, but historically, this information was published to ensure all physician employers were aware of actions taken against licensees. Based upon the questions received at the board, there are misperceptions about discipline, particularly about the Enforcement Program's Probation Unit.

It is a great honor to be president of the San Bernardino County Medical Society. So you may understand more about my commitment to organized medicine, I want to share my background and goals for the year.

Meet the six physicians who will have the top roles in the San Bernardino County Medical Society. Get insights about their professional background and commitment to organized medicine.

The San Bernardino County Medical Society discussed the financial report, approved the budget for 2006-07 and appointed some new board members.

In April, the American Medical Association released a study chronicling the concentration of the U.S. health insurance market. Titled "Competition in Health Insurance: A Comprehensive Study of U.S. Markets," the study analyzed 294 metropolitan health insurance markets. Alarmingly, the study found 95 percent of markets had a single insurer with greater than a 30 percent market share.

I volunteer for Aeromedicos, a Santa Barbara-based nonprofit charity providing medical and dental services to rural villages in Baja California. Aeromedicos is currently recruiting physicians who are looking for a little adventure as well as an exhilarating experience practicing rural medicine.

The California Medical Association, in response to Michael Morales being spared death, has proposed legislation to bar the Department of Corrections from utilizing physician in executions. Once introduced, however, bills become the property of the Legislature, hostage to the legislative process as it were, and are sometimes twisted and turned against their sponsors. There is great risk for us, given the passions generated by death penalty debates.

Here are six things to think about when you're considering technology for your office.

OCMA member Sudeep Kukreja, MD, is a devoted medical missionary. He's traveled to India, Brazil, Kenya, Morocco and beyond to help children.