BOM Toolkit

New laws address clinical judgment, patient privacy and biased outcomes from clinical decision-support tools.

When a clinical decision-support tool informs care, physicians need the authority to question its recommendations—and practices need a clear process for addressing problems.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1979 and SB 503 on September 30, adding protections governing technology in health care. With implementation expected January 1, 2027, Los Angeles practices should use the coming months to review their tools, oversight and vendor agreements.

AB 1979 requires physician offices, group practices, clinics and health facilities to take reasonable steps to preserve licensed professionals’ independent judgment when clinical decision-support tools inform care. It prohibits covered practices and facilities from using or deploying AI to independently perform clinical functions reserved for licensed professionals or to direct unlicensed personnel to perform those functions.

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CMA is pushing back against proposed Medicare payment policies that would further destabilize physician practices, including a 50% cut to certain services billed with Modifier 25, while supporting bipartisan legislation to establishstable, inflation-based updates. CMA has also released its 2026 Physician Voter Guide and announced its opposition to Proposition 39, a November ballot measure that would restrict Californians’ ability to vote. On National Physician Suicide Awareness Day, CMA is also calling for continued action to reduce stigma and remove barriers that prevent physicians from seeking mental health care. Other updates include an impending Medi-Cal transition affecting approximately 2 million patients with unsatisfactory immigration status, the reprocessing of certain Blue Shield psychotherapy claims following CMA advocacy, and new respiratory virus immunization recommendations.

As fall approaches, physicians and care teams will need to navigate updated immunization guidance, changes affecting Medi-Cal coverage, and emerging public health concerns.

On September 23, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will host a live CME session covering several issues that could directly affect patient care and practice operations this season.

Topics include:

• Updated COVID-19, influenza, and RSV immunization recommendations for the coming respiratory viral season

• Changes to Medi-Cal and efforts to help preserve patient coverage across Los Angeles County

• A clinical review of Cyclospora and current food and water safety considerations