CMA, the voice of California physicians, relies on the involvement of physicians like you 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.

Physician members set the policy that guides CMA and the most direct way for members to get involved is to submit resolutions to the House of Delegates (HOD). As the association’s legislative body, the HOD 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. Any CMA member may author a resolution. Only a delegate, alternate delegate, component medical society, or specialty delegation may submit the resolution to the HOD. 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. Contact your county medical society for more information.

CMA depends on our own members as experts in order to make smart policy choices. Do you have expertise in medical ethics, workers’ compensation, professional licensure, or other topics related to the practice of medicine? If so, you could serve on one of CMA’s standing councils and committees. Contact your county medical society for information on the nomination process.

Local and national news outlets, both print and broadcast, need experts who can comment on breaking stories. CMA maintains an active database of physicians whom we make available when reporters call with questions about medicine and health care policy. We help our experts frame effective answers on such hot-button issues as managed care, drug safety, physician-assisted suicide, emergency medicine, and medical research. If you’re interested in becoming a member of CMA’s media panel, contact CMA Media Relations at (916) 551-2072.

Personal contact with elected representatives makes a big difference – sometimes all the difference – in how votes are cast in Sacramento and in Washington. When you sign on as a legislative key contact, you will get action alerts from CMA when a key issue is breaking. It will ask you to call, fax, e-mail, or send a letter to your representative. Key contacts also make in-person visits to lawmakers to help educate them and guide their votes on critical bills. For more information, call CMA Government Relations at (916) 551-2565.