CMA relies on the involvement of members to communicate the physician vision of medical care: to the public, to lawmakers, and to the regulators who determine how medicine is practiced in California and the United States. CMA policy is set by its members and is voted on by physician representatives, who are elected to serve in the House of Delegates or on the Board of Trustees.
As the association's legislative body, the House of Delegates meets once a year to establish CMA policies on key issues that affect the practice of medicine, from medical ethics to critical matters of public health. With 450 delegates representing 11 geographic districts, 30 medical specialties, and all modes of practice, the delegates embody the diversity of California's physicians.
The Board of Trustees handles the many interim policy issues that arise between the annual sessions of the House.
How Can I Shape CMA Policy?
Authoring a Resolution — Any CMA member may author a resolution. However, only a delegate, alternate delegate, component medical society, or specialty delegation may submit the resolution to the HOD. A resolution can address virtually any health-related topic or any aspect of the policies and activities of CMA. For more information on authoring a resolution, visit our page on how to write a resolution.
Participation as a Delegate or Alternate Delegate — CMA members can participate directly in the House of Delegates through election as a delegate or alternate delegate by their county medical society, state specialty society, mode of practice forum or one of the CMA sections in which they participate. For more information, see “How to Get Involved.”
Testify before a reference committee — Members can also participate in the resolution-making process by testifying before reference committees, which debate and make recommendations on resolutions before they come to a vote at the HOD.
Search CMA’s Policy Compendium
To learn more about CMA policy, see the Policy Compendium, a searchable database of policies adopted by the CMA House of Delegate and Board of Trustees.