Health
- Details
- Written by: Office of Congressman Mike Thompson
“My legislation included in bills passed by the committee today will help remove barriers to care and increase treatment options for those suffering from addiction,” said Thompson. “Some costly prescriptions need to be approved by insurers before patients can access them. The current system uses faxes and phone calls, causing delays in treatment that can make conditions worse and leave patients dependent on painkillers. My legislation automates this process, helping patients access prescribed treatments quickly and efficiently.
“In addition, Medicare offers beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions the option to use Medicare Therapy Management programs where patients work closely with providers and pharmacists to develop and monitor their treatment plan. This program teaches patients about different drug interactions, alternative therapies, and small steps they can take like adding over the counter medications that will improve their health outcomes. My bill expands eligibility for MTM programs so that those at risk for abuse or addiction can have better access to specialized care to manage their treatment plans.
“The legislation we approved today represents an important step forward, but our work to combat the opioid epidemic must continue. We need to continue studying all the causes of this crisis and exploring all possible legislative options – including funding for communities and local programs – to promote access to treatment and help the thousands of Americans still suffering,” Thompson said.
The Committee on Ways and Means passed bipartisan health bills during today’s markup, each of which focus on a strategy to address the opioid crisis.
Thompson’s legislation was included in H.R. 5773, the PASS Act, which requires Medicare prescription drug plans to establish drug management programs for at-risk beneficiaries, standardizes electronic prior authorization for covered Part D drugs, and to provides for other program integrity measures under parts C and D of the Medicare program
- Details
- Written by: Adventist Health Clear Lake
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – May 6 to 12 is National Hospital Week, and this year Adventist Health Clear Lake is beginning celebrations of its 50th anniversary as part of the nationwide observance.
Under the theme “What Together Can Do,” the hospital is recognizing this milestone with events throughout the year in recognition of the community spirit that created and sustains the hospital.
Adventist Health Clear Lake, then known as Redbud Community Hospital, saw its first patient on April 22, 1968.
Adventist Health purchased the hospital from the Redbud Health Care District in 1997 and the hospital’s name was changed to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake in 2008.
It was rebranded as Adventist Health Clear Lake in 2017 to better reflect its affiliation with the 19-hospital health care system and service area in the towns around Clear Lake.
“For 50 years, this hospital has been a proud example of what a community can accomplish when they come together for the better of all,” said David Santos, Adventist Health Clear Lake president. “This year isn’t just a celebration of the hospital and our team, but also for the county as a whole as we reflect on what we’ve been able to accomplish together. As we look toward the future, we will continue focusing on patient experience and quality while we take our mission outside our walls to create a healthier, hope-filled community.”
When Dr. John Weeks began practicing in Clearlake in 1979, just over a decade after the hospital was established, the town was a physician shortage area.
Dr. Weeks was the only residency-trained family practice doctor in Lake County, the only physician providing obstetric care and one of only two physicians who provided pediatric or orthopedic services. Now, he works in one of the busiest rural health clinics in the nation.
“The changes we’ve seen in health care over the past five decades are remarkable,” said Weeks. “They are matched with the changes to what is now Adventist Health Clear Lake. During my time here, my colleagues on the medical staff have focused on making our community healthier for our neighbors and our own families.”
Today, Adventist Health Clear Lake is home to a busy emergency department, which underwent a $12.1 million renovation in 2013, and is a 25-bed acute care critical access hospital offering surgery, intensive care, diagnostic radiology, laboratory and women’s care/family birth services.
Outpatient locations in Middletown, Kelseyville, Hidden Valley Lake, Lower Lake, Lakeport and Clearlake offer primary care, specialty care, dental care, behavioral health, physical therapy and other services from over 50 physicians and providers. Innovative community partnerships and wellness programs are taking the organization’s mission outside its walls to create a healthier community in Lake County’s homes, parks, streets and schools.
Adventist Health Clear Lake is one of Lake County’s five largest employers with over 530 team members. The organization spent over $6.5 million on community development in 2016 and over $30,000 in 2017 to support local nonprofits, schools and programs such as the Southshore Little League, Lake Family Resource Center and Lions Club Fourth of July Fireworks.
Hospital Week celebrations in recognition of the hospital’s 50th anniversary include a fifties-themed staff barbeque, the annual service awards banquet honoring employees reaching milestone years of service to Adventist Health and a “blessing of the hands” from the hospital chaplain, Jack Mentges, as well as the recognition of nursing staff as part of National Nurses Week, which coincides with Hospital Week.
Fiftieth anniversary celebrations will continue for the community and staff throughout the year. Local residents can learn more by following the hospital’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/adventisthealthclearlake.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
UKIAH, Calif. – MCHC Health Centers is pleased to announce the addition of its newest board member: Corrigan Gommenginger, the chief executive officer of Hospice Services of Lake County.
Originally from Montana, Gommenginger arrived in Lake County via the Seattle area, where he served in several health care-related positions.
He provided accounting services for a number of non-profit organizations before becoming the finance director for a health policy organization and then the chief operating officer of a hospital.
In 2009 to 2010, recognizing the trend of reductions in healthcare reimbursement, he helped his hospital reduce costs and “worked myself out of a job,” he explained.
At that time, he started a consulting firm to help other healthcare organizations optimize operations and reduce costs. One of his clients, Hospice of Kitsap County, was so impressed with his work that they asked him to become their chief financial officer and eventually their CEO, and that is how Gommenginger got into the hospice business.
In January 2015, Gommenginger moved to Lake County to become the CEO of Hospice Services of Lake County.
Like most people who relocate, Gommenginger needed to establish a primary care provider, but he struggled to find one.
“I wanted a male provider and, of course, I had to find someone accepting new patients,” he said.
He met Dr. Jerry Douglas, who became a personal friend, and when Dr. Douglas became the chief medical officer for MCHC Health Centers, Gommenginger asked about MCHC providers.
Gommenginger was connected with Dr. Mario Espindola and he was instantly impressed.
“I’m a millennial, so I fully expect that a doctor will be typing into a computer while talking to me, but after a quick glance at the computer screen, Dr. Espindola turned to me, looked me in the eye and said, ‘Tell me how I can help you today.’ He spent time listening to me, really paying attention and connecting the dots,” Gommenginger said.
Gommenginger’s work in hospice has given him a deep appreciation for the needs of patients and families at the end of life.
He noted that many healthcare organizations struggle to “get it right,” as he put it. “A lot of doctors don’t have those hard, end-of-life conversations until it’s too late. This robs people of important choices and opportunities.”
He noted that MCHC Health Centers is an exception in this area. “MCHC providers do a good job of helping patients and their families prepare as the end approaches,” he said.
Gommenginger explained that the more he learns about MCHC Health Centers, the more impressed he becomes, from its quality of care to its leadership.
“It is clear from the board meetings I’ve attended that the leadership team has a lot of mutual trust and respect. When problems arise, [CEO] Carole [Press] shares them with us along with thoughtful, well-considered solutions. Meetings are focused and directed, and board members seem to be there for the good of the organization—no egos or side agendas. I’m honored to be part of this group,” he said.
MCHC Health Centers is a local nonprofit organization providing access to comprehensive healthcare for people in Ukiah, Willits and Lakeport.
All MCHC health centers accept Medi-Cal, Medicare, Covered California insurance and other insurance. Learn more at www.mchcinc.org .
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Public Health
The raw oysters are linked to an outbreak of norovirus illnesses.
In California, as of April 27, approximately 100 individuals have reported illness after they consumed raw British Columbian oysters sold by restaurants and retailers throughout the state.
Laboratory testing has confirmed norovirus infection in several patients from both California and Canada. Although the number of reported new illnesses has decreased during the last week, the investigation is ongoing.
Canada has reported 172 cases of gastrointestinal illness linked to consumption of raw oysters.
Four oyster farms in the south and central Baynes Sound area of British Columbia that were linked to illnesses were closed between March 23 and April 13, 2018, and remain closed at this time.
Restaurants and retailers should not distribute or serve oysters from these farms, which can be recognized by the following landfile numbers located on the shellfish tags: CLF #1402060, CLF #1411206, CLF #1400483, and CLF #278757.
Restaurants and retailers are encouraged to check Canada’s above website for closure statuses and notices of reopening.
Anyone who eats raw oysters should visit their doctors if they become ill, and should report the incident to the local health department.
“Avoid eating raw and undercooked shellfish, including oysters, to reduce your risk of illness,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. “If you do eat shellfish, cook it until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 145°F. Quick steaming isn't sufficient to kill norovirus.”
Norovirus is highly contagious and can spread easily from person-to-person through contaminated surfaces, and by eating contaminated food, including raw or undercooked oysters.
Symptoms of norovirus usually begin 12 to 48 hours after a person has come in contact with the virus, and can last for 1 to 3 days.
Common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps. People who develop symptoms of norovirus infection should consult their health care providers. For more information on norovirus, please see CDPH’s Norovirus Web page.
The most current information on shellfish advisories and quarantines are available at CDPH’s toll-free Shellfish Information Line at 800-553-4133. For additional information, please visit the CDPH Marine Biotoxin Monitoring Web page.
How to resolve AdBlock issue?