On Friday, the California Medical Association said that it is calling on Congress in order to "act immediately" to try and stop deep Medicare cuts are that are scheduled to take effect from Monday, stressing that 21% cuts to doctors' reimbursement in the Federal program might end up hampering "senior citizens' access to care and force physicians to contemplate turning away patients or dropping out of the program altogether".

The Congress, however, is adjourned for the weekend, so an immediate response is highly unlikely. Although the House of Representatives has passed the bill to block these cuts, the US Senate has not.

CMA, based in Sacramento, stressed that the imminent 21% pull back in doctors' Medicare pays, put forward with the aim to try and keep the overall system solvent for a long period, is "unconscionable".

The group joined hands with the American Medical Association, AARP and others who represent seniors and physicians to fight the pending cuts, and is encouraging its 35,000 physician members in the Golden State to get in touch with U. S. Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein and their congressional representatives about the issue.

"It’s unconscionable that Congress has not intervened to prevent this coming train wreck. Sadly, if these cuts take effect, senior citizens will have a tougher time getting access to a doctor because many physicians will not be able to afford to deliver care under Medicare", said Dr. Brennan Cassidy, the state medical association’s President.