Health
- Details
- Written by: Editor
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday a bipartisan group in Congress introduced legislation to give rural Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries equal representation on the boards that set policy for the public programs.
The group included Congressman Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), co-chair of the Bipartisan Rural Health Care Coalition who also represents California's First Congressional District – which includes Lake County – in Congress, along with Reps. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), Mike Ross (D-Ark.), and Jim Matheson (D-Utah).
Currently, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) and the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) establish policy and provide recommendations for improving Medicare and Medicaid.
Both boards have been instructed by Congress to balance the unique needs of urban and rural beneficiaries.
But in practice, rural representation on the boards lags far behind the actual number of rural enrollees in Medicare and Medicaid.
About 26 percent of Medicare recipients are from rural America, yet according to the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) just 3 of the 17 MedPAC board members have significant experience delivering health care in rural America and can adequately represent the interests of rural patients.
About 20 percent of Medicaid recipients are from rural America. The MACPAC board also has 17 members.
In response to this disparity, Thompson and a bipartisan group of lawmakers have introduced the Rural Representation and Accountability Act, which would ensure the proportion of members on MedPAC and MACPAC representing rural beneficiaries is no less than the proportion of the total number of Medicare and Medicaid patients residing in rural areas:
With about 26 percent of Medicare recipients from rural America, this legislation would require that at least 5 of MedPAC’s 17 board members adequately represent rural patients.
With about 20 percent of Medicaid recipients from rural America, this legislation would require that at least 4 of MACPAC’s 17 board members adequately represent rural patients.
“Rural Americans deserve advocates who know the needs of rural patients,” Thompson said. “Unfortunately, many of MedPAC and MACPAC’s board members do not have experience delivering health care in rural areas. It’s time to take action to ensure rural families in California and across the country have a voice at the table to ensure their unique health care challenges are being addressed.”
In addition to providing rural beneficiaries with proportionate representation, the Rural Representation and Transparency Act would also create greater transparency in how MedPAC and MACPAC operate.
The bill would require both boards to provide full and timely public disclosure of its proceedings on the Internet, post either audio or video coverage of its proceedings online and post transcripts of its proceedings online.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – American Red Cross, serving Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties is offering health and safety training in Kelseyville on Sunday, Feb. 20.
Any combination of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for adults and children, automated external defibrillator (AED) and first aid is available on those dates.
The class components include:
Adult CPR with AED (Certificate: adult CPR/AED, valid two years).
Child and infant CPR with AED (Certificate: child and infant CPR, valid two years).
First aid (Certificate: First aid, valid two years).
The classes take place on Sunday, Feb. 20, from 9 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. at the fire station, 4020 Main St.
The cost ranges from $45 to $70 per person depending on the components chosen.
Based on those components, students will learn how to respond to adult, child and infant emergencies by providing CPR, plus how to deal with cuts, bruises, bone and muscle injuries, shock, bleeding other first aid emergencies, and how to use an automated external defibrillator.
Fees for CPR, first aid, or other classes from the local Red Cross goes to help families who've just lost their homes, members of the armed forces and their families, and help the community get prepared and stay safe.
Participants can register for classes in any one of five ways:
Go online at www.arcsm.org (click on “Course Registration”);
Call 707-577-7600 for exact times (To register, have credit card ready);
Fax registration information to 707-543-8523 (include date and time of class desired, VISA/MasterCard information, phone and all contact information);
Mail check or credit card information (include same information as for fax);
Visit the chapter (5297 Aero Drive, Santa Rosa) from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
American Red Cross, Sonoma, Mendocino & Lake Counties is a neutral, humanitarian organization that provides relief to victims of disasters, and prepares people to prevent and respond to emergencies.
Like all Red Cross chapters, the local chapter is self-sustaining and is funded by local contributions. All assistance to disaster victims and to members of the armed forces provided by the chapter is free and made possible by voluntary donations of time and money by the people of Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties.
Donations can be made at www.arcsm.org, www.redcross.org, via mail to American Red Cross, 5297 Aero Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, or by phone at 707-577-7627 (Sonoma and Lake counties) or 707-463-0112 (Mendocino County).
- Details
- Written by: Editor
- Details
- Written by: Editor
SACRAMENTO – Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), announced on Monday that Sabor Farms was recalling fresh cilantro that was packed under four different brand names, because the cilantro may be contaminated with salmonella.
To date, no illnesses have been reported.
The recall by Sabor Farms includes cilantro that was available at retail locations in California from Jan. 14 through Jan. 28.
The cilantro was sold in bunches containing twist-ties under the brand names, Tanimura & Antle, Ocean Mist, Nature’s Reward and Queen Victoria.
Symptoms of salmonella infection include fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea which may be bloody.
Most infected people recover within a week. Some may develop complications that require hospitalization.
Infants, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at highest risk for more severe illness.
People who develop symptoms of salmonella infection after consuming cilantro should consult their health care provider.
While the contaminated cilantro may no longer be available in retail stores, CDPH is concerned that consumers may still have some in their homes. Consumers in possession of this contaminated cilantro should not eat it.
Consumers that observe the product being offered for sale are encouraged to report the activity to the CDPH toll-free, complaint line at 800-495-3232.
LCNews
Award winning journalism on the shores of Clear Lake.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
How to resolve AdBlock issue?