San Mateo County Medical Association

11/25/2025

Flu season in California may arrive early and hit harder this year. According to the LA Times, scientists are tracking a mutated influenza strain that could spark a sharper start to flu season in the state. It’s a good reminder to get your flu shot, practice good hygiene, and stay alert.

Read more:

California could see an early and especially sharp start to the annual flu season, as a combination of low vaccination rates and late mutations to the virus may leave the state particularly exposed to transmission.

11/21/2025

Health care is getting scarier in California. With rising premiums, many are feeling stuck between high costs and not enough coverage. According to KQED, people are now considering drastic moves—relocating, changing jobs, or even dropping coverage.

We can’t just sit by: we need policy changes, advocacy, and community pressure to make health care affordable again.

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Soaring health insurance costs are forcing some Californians to make tough choices — from dropping coverage to leaving the state or even the country — as federal subsidies expire and premiums surge.

11/17/2025

Concerns are growing over the expanded use of short-term health insurance plans backed by the Trump administration. These plans may look affordable, but many leave patients without essential protections — including coverage for pre-existing conditions, mental health care, and maternity services. Some individuals have even faced massive medical bills after denied claims.

Read more here:

As millions brace for higher insurance prices, plans touted by the Trump administration are attracting attention. They are cheaper, but coverage is often skimpy.

11/12/2025

🗳️ As the 2026 Gavin Newsom era approaches, health care is front and center in the race for California governor. According to KFF Health News, one in three voters say a $1,000 annual increase in health-care costs would affect their vote.

Promise or plan? While candidates committed to improving access and shrinking costs at a recent forum, detailed strategies were thin.

🔗 Read more:

During a California gubernatorial debate, candidates promised to protect people’s access to health care and fight back against Trump administration cuts. With the contest a year away, polling shows voters want the next governor to minimize out-of-pocket health care costs, increase mental health ca...

11/10/2025

Hospitals are bracing for major cost and documentation burdens with new telehealth billing rules under the 2026 physician fee schedule. One health system estimates the compliance burden could reach $1 million a year.

🔗 Read more:

One health system told the ATA it would cost $1 million a year to comply with the billing mandates of the physician fee schedule final rule.

11/10/2025

COVID-19 cases are rising again, fueled by the Stratus and Nimbus variants. Some patients report a “razor-blade” sore throat. Stay alert and test if you feel sick.
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The United States has seen cases rise throughout the country.

11/06/2025

Medicare telehealth is now in limbo amid the U.S. government shutdown. What does that mean for patients who rely on virtual appointments? Full story here:

Telehealth for Medicare started during the pandemic and became popular quickly. But the shutdown put an abrupt halt to payments for the service.

11/05/2025

Heads-up for physicians: under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule, clinicians are getting a 2.5% pay increase after Congress passed it in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Healthcare Finance News

That said, there’s also an “efficiency adjuster” which subtracts 2.5%, reducing net reimbursements for many specialties by about 1%.
Healthcare Finance News

Other notable changes include:

Higher conversion factors for both APM-participants and non-participants (3.77% and 3.26% respectively).
Healthcare Finance News

Lifting limits on telehealth supervision / virtual direct supervision in many circumstances.
Healthcare Finance News

📌 Read more about it here:

The 2.5% increase was voted into law in July in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

11/05/2025

Health alert ⚠️ A rabid bat was found near the playground at Portola Valley Town Center. Officials urge residents to avoid contact with bats and ensure pets’ rabies shots are up to date.

Read more here:

While no exposures have been confirmed, officials are warning residents to avoid contact with wild animals and to ensure pets are vaccinated.

10/28/2025

The government shutdown could disrupt Medicare payments and telehealth access, leaving patients and providers in limbo.
📉 Reliable care shouldn’t depend on political gridlock.
Read more from Spectrum News 1:
🔗 https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/southern-california/news/2025/10/27/telehealth-shutdown-medicare-pause

The government shut down on Oct. 1

10/28/2025

Partnerships make progress possible. Thank you, Congressman Kevin Mullin, for bringing together local healthcare leaders for a thoughtful discussion on access to care, reimbursement, telehealth, and affordability.

The San Mateo County Medical Association remains committed to collaborating with policymakers to advance equitable, high-quality care for all Californians.

10/22/2025

For our network of physicians, researchers, and employers: here’s a key development in U.S. immigration policy. The one-time $100K fee for certain H-1B visas is now being more narrowly applied.

👉 Details: https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/u-s-narrows-who-pays-100-000-h-1b-visa-fee-c019f09f?st=BEF4Mc&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

As you plan talent strategies for 2026+, this could reshape how skilled foreign workers enter and work in the U.S.

Under the new guidance, only applicants living abroad will be subject to the fee.