Southern California PSYCHIATRIST October 2025

Psychiatrists call for RFK Jr. to be replaced as health secretary

We wanted to share a recent NPR article which highlights statements SCPS Council made regarding the removal of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  SCPS has been actively amplifying evidence-based perspectives and countering misinformation through our advocacy channels, engaging legislators, our colleagues and professional organizations alike. As media coverage grows around this issue, our role in shaping public understanding of mental‑health treatment has never been more visible or more vital.  We encourage you to read the article and join SCPS in our continued efforts to promote accurate, research‑grounded discourse on psychiatric care.

https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/10/06/nx-s1-5559217/rfk-jr-mental-health-substance-abuse-ssri

ABC’s of PAC

by Roderick Shaner, MD

As your incoming representative to the CSAP PAC Board, I’ll aim to continue Dr. Laura Halpin’s excellent record, as our immediate past representative, in keeping SCPS members regularly informed about how our PAC contributions are being used throughout the year. To start, here’s a brief Q&A addressing some common questions about PACs and our relationship to CSAP PAC and recent contributions. If you have additional questions, I’m happy to help us get answers.

What exactly is a Political Action Committee (PAC)? PACs are entities that raise and spend money to influence elections, typically by supporting or opposing candidates for public office.

How do PAC advocacy efforts differ from other SCPS advocacy? PACs may directly support or oppose political candidates through contributions and expenditures. SCPS, as a 501(c)(6) professional association, may engage in issue advocacy and lobbying, and may use limited funds for partisan candidate support.

How can SCPS engage with a PAC? If SCPS endorses a PAC, that PAC must remain a separate legal entity—with its own bank account, governance structure, and compliance protocols. SCPS members may attend PAC events and participate in endorsed advocacy efforts.

How is the CSAP PAC related to SCPS? The CSAP PAC is governed by a Board of Directors composed of representatives from each California APA District Branch. Its funds are entirely separate from both SCPS and CSAP. Each CSAP PAC Board member serves at the pleasure of the District Branch they represent—in my case, SCPS.

How do we transmit approved contribution to recipients? District Branch members in the relevant legislative district often do this at campaign-related events, like meet-and-greets or talks. This gives us opportunities to speak directly with key legislators, demonstrate our knowledge of issues and commitments, and form lasting relationships.

To whom will CSAP PAC next contribute? Our combined advocacy efforts are critical for our patients and our profession. The SCPS Government Affairs Committee and Council will provide guidance for CSAP PAC board deliberations, with a focus on legislators and candidates that are in the SCPS region. Stay tuned for updates about legislators and candidates that CSAP PAC votes to support during the coming year—and the reasoning behind our decisions. And, of course, add your suggestions and reasons for consideration by contacting your Council representative or Mindi.

Affordable Care Act Enhanced Premium Tax Credits

by Laura Halpin, MD

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits have been a critical factor in making health insurance coverage accessible to millions of Americans.  These have been in the news recently as Democrats attempted to make extending these tax credits a key part of their plan to avoid a government shutdown. These premium tax credits were first introduced in 2021 and are set to expire at the end of 2025.  The tax credits function to effectively reduce premiums (or reduce the percentage of total income paid for premiums) for individual health plans purchased by people earning low-to-middle income through the ACA Marketplace.  Around 24 million people in the United States have a health plan that is subsidized by an enhanced premium tax credit.

If these tax credits are not extended, many individuals face the real possibility of losing coverage or being priced out of plans on the health insurance marketplace.   The actual amount premiums may increase depends upon income and the federal poverty level, however most would see their premiums at least doubled.  For psychiatric patients, the loss of insurance coverage often results in abrupt treatment discontinuity, increased hospitalizations, and worsening clinical outcomes. The stability that comes from consistent access to medications, psychotherapy, and care coordination would be jeopardized.

In California, the impact would be especially pronounced. The state has one of the largest populations enrolled through Covered California, where ACA subsidies have substantially reduced premiums. Many enrollees are working part-time or in lower-wage jobs that do not provide employer-sponsored coverage. Without the federal tax credits, even modest premium increases could force patients to forgo insurance entirely. California’s safety-net systems are already strained by workforce shortages, increasing demand, and the impending consequences of HR 1, including Medicaid cuts, the impacts of which we won’t fully see until 2027 and beyond.

As psychiatrists, we must recognize that the expiration of ACA tax credits is not just a policy issue, it is a public mental health crisis in the making. Stable insurance coverage underpins continuity of psychiatric care and supports recovery. Advocacy from our profession is essential to help policymakers understand that preserving these subsidies protects not only financial access but also clinical stability, community functioning, and overall well-being for our patients.

Welcome New SCPS Members!

We are proud to spotlight some of our newest members:

Jenny Song, MD – Resident-Fellow Member

My name is Jenny Song, and I am a first-year psychiatry resident at Charles R. Drew University. My professional interests include cultural psychiatry, impact of immigration on mental health and intergenerational family dynamics, geriatric psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, personality disorders, and consult-liaison psychiatry. As a 1.5-generation Korean American immigrant, I am particularly drawn to working with immigrant populations and patients facing barriers to mental healthcare, including language, financial, and cultural challenges. I look forward to further narrowing down my passions during residency and developing my niche as a professional!

Ola Egu, MD – Resident-Fellow Member

My name is Ola Egu and I am a PGY-1 at UCLA. I am currently interested in pursuing a career in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and plan to pursue fast-track into fellowship. I also have an interest in Addiction Psychiatry and I am considering pursuing a fellowship in this after Child fellowship. I look forward to further exploring my interests through SCPS!

All new SCPS members are invited to provide Membership Spotlight materials.  (Providing these materials is optional.)

George L. Mallory Diversity, Culture and Social Justice Award Guidelines

Please see the following guidelines to apply for the George L Mallory Diversity, Culture and Social Justice Award.
Please send materials to socalpsychiatric@gmail.com

Award Description: The Diversity and Culture committee is very excited to announce the George L. Mallory Diversity, Culture and Social Justice Award. This award recognizes a Southern California psychiatrist for their exceptional contribution to advocacy, teaching, research and/or leadership aimed at countering structural racism and advancing our understanding of culture and diversity in psychiatry.

This memorial award is named in honor of Dr. George L. Mallory, a prominent educator, psychiatrist and civil rights activist who dedicated his life to treating the underserved in Los Angeles County. Dr. Mallory was one of the first staff members of Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center, a president of the Black Psychiatrists of Southern California, and the recipient of numerous awards. The purpose of the George L. Mallory Award is to honor current psychiatrists who are continuing this important work in reshaping public mental health to be more inclusive and equitable to all. The Committee encourages SCPS members to send in nominations (self-nominations accepted) for consideration for this award. For more information including past awardees please visit: https://www.socalpsych.org/about/diversity-culture-committee/

Application opens: November 1, 2025
Application closes: January 15, 2026
Nomination Process: Self-nominations and 2nd party nominations welcomed
Application Requirements: Description of the nature of your commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (1-2 pages). A copy of your CV (1-5 pages).

Selection Criteria:

● Award recipient should demonstrate a historical contribution and ongoing commitment to advocacy, teaching, research and/or leadership aimed at countering structural racism and advancing our understanding of culture and diversity in psychiatry
● Award recipient must be a psychiatrist serving in the SCPS regions
● Award recipient must submit their application materials by the published deadline in order to be considered

Award Recipient selected by: February 25, 2026

Awards Ceremony: Spring 2026. The award recipient is strongly encouraged to attend the SCPS Installation and Awards Ceremony to be recognized in person.

June Council Highlights

by Roderick Shaner, MD

June 12, 2025
Zoom Meeting 7-9 pm

President’s Report –  Dr. Kelly

1. New Council Introductions: Dr. Kelly welcomed the 2025-2026 SCPS Council to its first meeting and provided an orientation to SCPS Council functions, schedules, rules, and calendar. He highlighted key annual meetings, including the SCPS Town Hall meetings, the NAMI meeting in April, and the APA Annual meeting in San Francisco in May.
2. NAMI Walk Feedback: Dr. Rees described her representation of SCPS at the recent annual LA NAMI Walk, She and other Council members shared ideas for future SCPS participation in this important event, including a discussion with NAMI leadership about the highest value resources that SCPS could contribute.
3. Recap of the APA Annual Meeting Reception in May: Dr. Kelly and other Council members were enthusiastic about the welcome opportunity to meet many California psychiatric colleagues in person and have valuable conversations. It was sponsored by SCPS with additional contributions from the other California DBs and SYASL, the legislative advocacy firm, and hosted 225 attendees.
4. APA Telehealth and Strategic Planning Surveys: Dr. Kelly emphasized the potential value of completing the two APA member surveys on new CPT codes related to telehealth codes and on APA’s strategic plan, which seeks input on APA’s future direction. He urged all SCPS members to complete them.
5. New Social Media Committee: Kelly announced the formation of a new committee to enhance advocacy efforts and PR, chaired by Dr. Rees. Dr. Rees noted that social media is the ideal point at which to communicate SCPS messages, especially to residents and ECP’s, and Council members were highly supportive.

President-elect’s Report – Dr. Wood

     Newsletter: Dr. Wood reported on June edition and reminded council members to sign up for Newsletter article submissions for the upcoming year.

GAC Report (Written report submitted) – Dr. Wood

1. Impact of new federal administrative and legislative actions: Wood and other Council members discussed the effects of potential federal changes upon psychiatric practice and patients, and upon California mental health and substance use programs. The discussed APA, CSAP, and SCPS advocacy initiative to promote the highest standards of care.
2. Key CSAP sponsored or supported bills are in suspension: These bills will not move forward this year due to budget considerations. These include:
   1. SB 320 (Limon) firearms: do not sell list
   2. SB 367 (Allen) conservatorships
   3. SB 823 (Stern) CARE Act; bipolar
   4. AB 384 (Connolly) behavioral health; prior authorizations
   5. AB 1429 (Bains) Behavioral Health Reimbursement
   6. SB 751 (Becker) Veterans and Former First Responders Research Pilot Program
   7. SB320 (do not sell firearms list)
   8. SB367 (changes to CARE Court Proceedings), AB823 (x), and AB384. BH reimbursement AB1429 passed??? SB 351 didn’t make it.
3. CSAP sponsored bills are moving forward:
   1. SB 331 (Menjivar) gravely disabled definitions for the CARE Act and LPS
   2. SB 820 (Stern) inmates; administration of psychiatric medication
   3. AB 1105 (Quirk-Silva) conservatorships and delayed egress facilities
4. Other bills discussed at the meeting included:
   1. AB 416 (Krell) Involuntary Commitment Amended to add ED physicians to the list of people who the county can designate LPS privileges. CSAP opposition removed after it was modified to remove damaging clauses that removed designation discretion by individual counties.
   2. AB 408 (Berman) Physician health and wellness program. CSAP supports.
   3. SB 363 (Wiener) Health Care coverage: independent medical review CSAP has not taken a position and is requesting ideas/language that might work better for effective managed care oversight, e.g. consider reason for overturn, wondering about 50% as an arbitrary cut off, encourage more IMR submissions, improve data collection
   4. SB 626 (Smallwood-Cuevas) Perinatal health screenings and treatment. CSAP supports
   5. SB 331 survived—Defines MH disorders as those in DSM, better-supports information transfer among conservatorship groups work.
5. CSAP Bill Tracker: Wood encouraged Council members to follow legislation on the CSAP bill tracker and noted that GAC will be meeting in August.

       PAC Report (Written report submitted) Shaner

 Meeting with Dr. Sion Roy: Shaner reported that the CSAP PAC Board met virtually on June 10^th with Dr. Sion Roy, a Los Angeles Cardiologist at Harbor UCLA and former LACMA president, who is running as a democrat for California Senate District 24 in 2026. It to recommend DB support of a CSAP PAC contribution, based on their assessment that his presence in the California Senate would facilitate CSAP advocacy goals.

Motion: Dr. Shaner moved that SCPS support the CSAP PAC contribution in the sum of $5900 to Dr. Roy’s campaign. Passed.

1. CSAP PAC Ad Hoc Workgroup Halpin

Dr. Halpin, as chair of the CSAP PAC AD Hoc Workgroup, described the function of the workgroup to recommend future SCPS CSAP PAC contributions and develop additional proposals regarding related to four goals.

Goal 1: To determine the final CSAP PAC advocacy contribution for this year. She anticipates that SCPS will soon have data concerning the funding available for this purpose.

Motion: To contribute remaining 2025 advocacy funds, when the amount has been determined, to CSAP for 2025.

Goal 2: To determine the amount of contribution to the CSAP PAC for next year.

Motion: That SCPS budget for 2026 the full amount allowable amount, which is $9800. Passed.

Goal 3: To review SCPS procedures for advocacy funding.

Motion: That language be added to the annual dues letter to SCPS members to ensure that that members recognize that a portion of their nontaxable advocacy dues will be allocated to CSAP PAC, subject to Council approval. Passed.

Goal 4: To continue developing potential recommendations by SCPS to the CSAP Board regarding CSAP procedures related to advocacy support by the five Area 6 District Branches

Financial Report – Dr. Halpin

     May Financials: Friedman discussed the May financial report. The finance committee reviewed the organization’s financial status, noting a $20,000 increase in year-to-date income primarily from membership dues, partially attributed to the APA meeting. It is slightly under budget for overall administrative expenses, as APA reception expenses were partially offset by contributions from other A6 DBs.

     Motion: To approve the May 2025 Financial Report. Passed.

     2026 Draft Budget: The council discussed the draft of the proposed budget for 2026, which anticipates a slight decrease in income and expenses compared to 2025. Overall, the budget draft is based upon an estimate of income and expenses that it similar to this year. Council members discussed potential opportunities in increase income and reduce expenses.

Motion: To maintain the full membership dues assessment to $685, and to increase the advocacy funding percentage of the dues to 31.5% to cover anticipated higher costs of contributions to CSAP and SYASL (the CSAP-associated advocacy advisory group). Passed.

Assembly Report – Dr. Silverman

May Assembly Meeting: Dr. Silverman reported highlights from the May APA Assembly meeting including:

1. Incoming Speaker Evan Eyles emphasized his goal to improve communication from Assembly and enhance procedures for ensuring that action papers are dealt with in a timely manner.
2. Marketa Wills, medical director/CEO described the strategic plan.
3. Treasurer Stephan Koh reported financial shortfalls and the need for budget restructuring.
4. A vote to change APA Bylaws to what APA legal counsel advised would comply with recent federal directives regarding affirmative action. There was much Assembly discussion and debate concerning the changes and related communications to the Assembly

Committee Reports

     Membership 893/978 – Dr. Ijeaku

Dr. Ijeaku reported 19 new members.

Motion: To approve new members. Passed.

     APA Representation Task Force – Dr. Silverman

Dr. Goldenberg noted that representative nominations are due to A6 on January and asked the SCPS Council to consider selection of SCPS nominees.

     Private Practice – Dr. Goldenberg

Dr. Goldenberg noted an SCPS presentation entitled Cross-Roads in Medicine: Pain Management in the Mental Health Population is scheduled for June 17 at 7:00 to 8:30 PM via zoom and invited Council members to attend. There is a joint talk with PRMS on tele prescribing and controlled substance prescribing laws on September 13th at 9 AM.

     Disaster Committee – Dr. Chang

Dr. Chang extended special thanks to Drs. Red and (Amy) Woods for helping to lead APA tours of fire-affected areas in Pasadena. Next meeting 9/4. Topics welcomed.

NEXT MEETING: SEPTEMBER 11TH.  Have a good summer.