LACMA Leadership Convenes to Chart the Path Forward

Special guest former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra shares his perspective on California’s healthcare future as LACMA opens dialogue with gubernatorial candidates.

This past Saturday LACMA president Dr. Heather Silverman and president elect Dr. Hector Flores led the annual board of directors retreat which covered among other important topics, organizational priorities, ways for leaders to impact growth, membership retention, and member experience as well as policy and advocacy challenges.

Our lunchtime guest, former US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, who is running for California governor, shared his vision for improving healthcare in the state, supporting physician reimbursement, strengthening the safety net, and expanding access to care. LACMA will be inviting other candidates to share their respective visions in the coming months leading up to the June primary season and share those platforms with our membership. I’d also like to hear from membership relative to candidate preference.

Secretary Becerra shared how the congressionally approved spending plan slashed nearly a trillion dollars from the Medicaid program over the next decade. Funding cuts and new rules – such as work requirements – are expected to push 3.4 million Californians off their Medicaid coverage as changes take effect.

In Washington, a dispute over whether to renew enhanced premium subsidies that help keep Affordable Care Act marketplace insurance plans affordable prompted the longest shutdown in history. Absent federal action, hundreds of thousands of people could be priced out of Covered California insurance in 2026.

As LACMA enters what could be a historically challenging year, it will be critically important to remain steadfast in our mission and values to fight against the erosion of physician autonomy.