CMA looks to the courts, as well as the legislature, regulatory agencies, and negotiations with interested parties to influence health policy and improve the health care delivery system in California.
CMA's advocacy in courts generally takes one of two forms. The Association regularly files amicus curiae or "friend of the court" briefs in cases brought by others that raise issues of importance to physicians generally. These "AC" briefs are typically filed only when a case is pending before the Court of Appeal or Supreme Court, because the decisions of these courts may result in "binding precedent," with the same force as a law passed by the legislature.
Less frequently, and only when other avenues of relief appear futile, CMA files lawsuits on behalf of member physicians seeking to enforce or clarify existing law.
To view a summary of current litigation that CMA is involved in, please click on the link below:
CMA attorneys also maintain an extensive library of documents, CMA ON-CALL, which discuss court cases, laws and regulations as they apply to the practice of medicine in California.
