Health
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- Written by: Community Care
These individuals have applied for Medi-Cal for help and have come away from the application process with the understanding that they are over income for Medi-Cal supports.
Although they may be eligible on the low-asset front, they are not eligible on the low-income front.
That’s because their monthly income exceeds $1,270 as an individual ($1,719 for couples) and they would have to incur a large monthly deductible “Share of Cost” before Medi-Cal would kick in to help with the costs of their essential needs.
Sometimes that’s the reality; other times, by learning more, an older adult can take action to become eligible for no-share-of-cost Medi-Cal and the help it provides.
When these calls come in, Senior Information & Assistance has learned to ask: “What’s your gross income before insurance-related deductions and are you paying for supplemental insurance?” and “Were you on Social Security Disability prior to retiring?”
When reviewing some callers’ information, we discuss that by purchasing supplemental medical, dental, or vision insurance, they can reduce their countable income to fall within the eligibility limits.
This allows them to not only enjoy all the wider benefits of no-share-of-cost Medi-Cal, but also be reimbursed for the Medicare Part B premium being deducted from their Social Security deposits each month.
For others – who were drawing Social Security Disability leading up to retirement age – we discuss whether there is some small, verifiable employment they are engaged in or could be engaged in (pet sitting, mending, tutoring – as little as two hours a month).
If so, then that might open the door for them to participate in no-share-of-cost Medi-Cal by paying a monthly premium as low as $20, depending on the amount of their earned income.
These modest actions can sometimes lead to big improvements in these individuals’ lives. To learn more, contact Community Care’s Senior Information & Assistance line at 468-5132 to request a fact sheet with details and examples prepared by the non-profit legal advocacy group at CANHR.org, or link to it here.
Funded largely through the Area Agency on Aging of Lake & Mendocino Counties, Community Care’s Senior Information & Assistance Program is available Monday through Friday to respond to questions about resources for area older adults.
Call 707-468-5132 or 1-800-510-2020, or visit www.SeniorResourceDirectory.org.
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- Written by: California Department of Public Health
The health advisory follows an executive order signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom last week to confront the growing youth epidemic and health risks linked to vaping.
As of Sept. 24, CDPH has received reports that 90 people in California who have a history of vaping were hospitalized for severe breathing problems and lung damage, and two people have died.
Across the U.S., there are more than 500 reports of lung damage associated with vaping across 38 states and 1 U.S. territory, and more reports are coming in nearly every day.
“We are seeing something that we have not seen before,” said Dr. Charity Dean, acting state public health officer. “There are numerous unknown factors at this time, and due to the uncertainty of the exact cause, it is our recommendation that consumers refrain from vaping until the investigation has concluded.”
CDPH, along with other states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, local health departments and healthcare providers are working hard to investigate what is in the vape materials that is making people sick.
Although CDPH regulates manufacturers of cannabis vaping products to ensure they are as safe as possible for those who choose to vape, CDPH warns that all individuals put themselves at risk any time they inhale a foreign substance into their lungs.
The risk of vaping for any individual may include serious illness and death.
“Vaping is not just a concern for youth; the vaping cases under investigation affect youth and adults alike,” said Dr. Dean.
If you experience difficulty breathing after vaping, contact your doctor immediately. You may also experience other symptoms including: cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, and weight loss.
If this happens to you, do not discard any used vaping cartridges you might have, as CDPH is interested in testing the remaining substance in used cartridges. Those cartridges are being collected by local health departments and sent to CDPH labs for analysis.
In California, licensed cannabis retailers are required to sell products obtained from a licensed cannabis manufacturer that have been tested by a licensed laboratory.
Cannabis products sold by licensed sources are tested for a variety of chemicals, pesticides, microbial impurities, and heavy metals. Illegal cannabis dispensaries sell unregulated and untested cannabis products and absolutely should not be used.
CDC continues to warn that any tobacco product use, including e-cigarettes, is unsafe. Furthermore, use of cannabis and tobacco products remains especially unsafe for youth, and for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
The governor’s executive order directed CDPH to launch a $20 million statewide digital and social media public awareness campaign to educate youth, young adults and parents about the health risks associated with vaping nicotine and cannabis products.
CDPH is also tasked with developing recommendations to reduce smoking among young adults and teens by establishing warning signs with health risks where vaping products are sold and on product advertisements.
For more information on the risks of vaping and today’s health advisory, read “Vaping Related Lung Illness: A Summary of the Public Health Risks and Recommendations for the Public.”
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
FORT BRAGG, Calif. – Mendocino Coast Clinics, or MCC, Executive Director Lucresha Renteria announced Monday that the health center received a $60,000 donation from a generous local benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous.
“We are absolutely thrilled,” she said. “Our donor said he had included us in his estate planning but decided he didn’t want to wait to see us put the money to good use.”
MCC has been providing healthcare to coastal residents for 25 years, serving everyone in the community regardless of their ability to pay.
Last year, MCC cared for approximately 9,800 patients, 90 percent of whom were low-income.
Each winter, the organization hosts a fundraiser called Crab, Wine & Beer Days where the auctioneer, Sheriff Tom Allman, asks attendees to help fund a specific need. This “Fund the Future” campaign allows MCC to expand to meet community needs.
This year, Fund the Future donations will be matched using the $60,000 donation – doubling the impact of each contribution. MCC is a non-profit organization, so all donations are tax deductible.
“We’re hoping people will be extra generous, knowing their dollars will have an even greater impact,” she said. “If any other donors would like to add to our Fund the Future project, we welcome your support! And in case you’re wondering when the fundraiser is, mark your calendars now for Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, 2020!”
In the past, the Fund the Future project has been used to buy equipment for pediatrics clinic, including waiting room toys and a Thomas the Tank Engine-themed exam table. Last year, MCC’s Fund the Future project was dental equipment.
This year, MCC is looking at what $120,000 could buy that would best meet community needs.
Renteria said, “We are constantly paying attention to the changing needs of our community. When we identify a new healthcare need, we do our best to meet it.” This past year, they started a once-a-week service called Open Door@MCC to serve the LGBTQ and sex positive community.
Generous donations like this allow us to fill the gaps.
MCC is a local, nonprofit, federally qualified health center offering medical, dental and behavioral health care to people in the coastal communities of Mendocino County. Learn more at www.mendocinocoastclinics.org.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Following approval by the Legislature, Senate Bill 227 now heads to the governor for consideration.
Specifically, Senate Bill 227 empowers the California Department of Public Health to enforce the nurse staffing ratios by fining hospitals that repeatedly create unsafe conditions for patient care.
The proposal would require CDPH to conduct unannounced visits to hospitals to inspect for compliance with nurse staffing requirements.
In 1999, Gov. Gray Davis signed into law Assembly Bill 394, the nation’s first law mandating nurse-to-patient ratios in California.
Regulations implementing AB 394 went into effect in 2004, which set the minimum ratio of nurses to patient by unit, including one-to-one in operating rooms and one-to-five in general medical-surgical units. These ratios, enforced by CDPH, are outlined in Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.
Even though these ratios have been mandated by law for over a decade, hospitals continue to violate staffing requirements. From 2008 to 2017, there were 634 out-of-ratio deficiencies reported to CDPH.
“The purpose of SB 227 is simple: to keep patients safe,” Sen. Leyva said. “It is vitally important that hospitals maintain required nurse staffing ratios at all times. In order to keep patients safe, the state must prioritize these regulations. When hospitals continue to ignore nurse staffing ratios, the state should be able to fine those facilities so that they fully understand the importance of staffing their hospitals appropriately to keep patients safe. I appreciate the support that SB 227 earned in the Legislature and look forward to Gov. Newsom realizing the importance of this measure for all Californians.”
The proposal is co-sponsored by SEIU California, SEIU Local 121RN and United Nurses Associations of California / Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC / UHCP).
SB 227 is also supported by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, California Labor Federation, California Nurses Association/National Nurses United, California Professional Firefighters, California School Employees Association, California School Nurses Organization, California Teamsters Public Affairs Council, Congress of California Seniors, Consumer Attorneys of California, Engineers and Scientists of California Local 20, International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 13 and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.
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