Health
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- Written by: Office of Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry
Some nursing homes in the United States, including California, routinely give antipsychotic drugs to residents with dementia to control their behavior, despite rules against the misuse of such drugs as “chemical restraints.”
These chemical restraints are being prescribed to sedate and subdue residents, who often use behavior to communicate their pain, discomfort, or distress.
According to a 2018 report by Human Rights Watch, this abusive practice has become more widespread.
Based on their researchers’ visits to more than 100 nursing facilities in six states and more than 300 interviews with people living in facilities, their families, staff, long-term care and disability experts, government officials and advocates, Human Rights Watch’s report “’They Want Docile’: How Nursing Homes in the United States Overmedicate People with Dementia” estimates that every week in U.S. nursing facilities, more than 179,000 people, mostly those older and living with dementia, are given antipsychotic drugs without an appropriate diagnosis.
Facilities administer these drugs in many cases without obtaining informed consent from residents or their families.
Antipsychotic drugs were developed to treat psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia. The Food and Drug Administration requires manufacturers to label them with the strongest “black box” warning about the risks they pose to people with dementia. The FDA has never approved antipsychotic drugs as safe and effective for treatment of dementia symptoms.
Studies find that antipsychotic drugs nearly double the risk of death in older people with dementia. When the drugs are administered without informed consent, patients and their families are not making the choice to take such a risk.
“There are approved uses for antipsychotic drugs. Using them on people with dementia because staff want to control a patient who is deemed ‘unruly’ is just plain wrong,” said Aguiar-Curry. “The use of such drugs as a ‘chemical restraint’ invokes visions of the middle ages. This practice violates federal and state regulations and can amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment under international human rights law. And, what’s worse, the staff and facilities engaging in this inappropriate practice are rarely punished. It’s time we stopped this abusive treatment of our family members.”
Tony Chicotel, Senior Staff Attorney for California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform stated, “Despite a decade of laudable efforts to reduce the misuse of psychotropic drugs in nursing homes, the rates have risen during the pandemic, wiping out nearly all of our state's progress. Requiring written informed consent is a back-to-the-basics approach to the overdrugging problem that ensures residents or their representatives have control over drugging decisions after consultation with their health care professionals.”
Aguiar-Curry represents the Fourth Assembly District, which includes all of Lake and Napa Counties, parts of Colusa, Solano and Sonoma counties, and all of Yolo County except West Sacramento.
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- Written by: Adventist Health Clear Lake
Dr. Iaccino is a board-certified chiropractor, providing diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially of the spine.
He brings vast experience and expertise in the manipulation of the spine, joints and soft tissues.
He has a specific interest in nutrition and holds a master’s degree in human nutrition and functional medicine from the University of Western States in Portland, Oregon.
Dr. Iaccino was inspired to become a chiropractor through his own experience with various sports injuries. His desire to help reduce and eliminate pain for others has been the catalyst for his medical career.
To learn more about Dr. Iaccino and all Adventist Health providers, visit AdventistHealth.org/clearlake.
To make an appointment with Dr. Iaccino, call 707-263-3746 (Lakeport) or 707-274-9299 (Lucerne).
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- Written by: Covered California
Coverage is critical to both getting needed preventive care and covering the costs of unforeseen care. The first enrollment deadline is fast approaching, and Californians need to sign up before the end of the year in order to have their health care coverage be effective on Jan. 1.
“Covered California is urging everyone who needs coverage to check out their options and sign up, before the end of the month, so they can start the New Year with protection and peace of mind,” said Peter V. Lee, executive director of Covered California. “The COVID-19 pandemic continues to highlight the fact that life can indeed change in an instant. With the omicron variant surging across the state, every Californian should be sure to have coverage and take the needed steps to stay healthy and safe.”
Californians who sign up by Dec. 31, and pay their first bill, will have their coverage take effect on Jan. 1.
A national nonprofit group recently analyzed claims data across the country and examined cases of COVID-19 in which patients were admitted to the hospital and required ventilation or admission to the intensive care unit, which is much more likely to occur among the unvaccinated.
FAIR Health, which manages the nation’s largest database of privately billed health insurance claims, found that the average cost for a complex care COVID-19 hospitalization was $127,281 in California.
In cases where a patient needed to be hospitalized, but did not require ventilation or admission to the ICU, the average cost in California was $42,674, which is virtually identical to the average costs for Covered California enrollees who are admitted to hospitals for all reasons.[1]
Finally, for patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and received only outpatient care — which is much more likely for people who have been vaccinated and received their booster shot — the average cost in California was $1,334. For those with insurance, only a small fraction is paid out-of-pocket by the consumer.
“No one wants to end up in an emergency room or hospital for COVID-19 or any other reason, but if you do, a quality health insurance plan through Covered California can save you tens of thousands of dollars,” Lee said. “In addition, having health insurance means you are more likely to get preventive care and regular treatment for chronic conditions, which helps keep you out of the hospital in the first place.”
Significant savings for more than one million uninsured Californians
Signing up for quality coverage is more affordable — for more people — than ever before thanks to the increased subsidies provided under the federal American Rescue Plan that took effect earlier this year.
An estimated 1.1 million Californians are uninsured and eligible for financial help. The vast majority of the uninsured, more than 940,000 people, are able to get coverage through either Covered California or Medi-Cal at no cost.
Californians who do not qualify for a $0 premium will still likely see significant savings through the increased financial help available due to the American Rescue Plan. Right now, more than half of Covered California enrollees are paying less than $10 per month, and 75 percent are paying less than $100 for their brand-name health plan.
“Many of the people who are uninsured right now do not know they are eligible for financial assistance, or they have not checked recently to see how affordable quality coverage can be,” Lee said. “Do not wait until the last minute, or let the Dec. 31 deadline pass, without checking your options.”
In addition, the American Rescue Plan provides financial help to many middle-income families. These middle-income families who earn more than $106,000 a year, and were previously ineligible for federal assistance, are now saving an average of nearly $800 a month on their health insurance premiums.
The financial help for middle-income consumers can also benefit those who are currently insured directly through a health insurance company. An estimated 260,000 Californians have direct coverage and can switch to Covered California, and potentially get the same health plan, and save hundreds of dollars per month.
“Visit CoveredCA.com, where you can see the health plans available in your area and how much you can save on the coverage you’re already paying for,” Lee said.
Those interested in applying for coverage can explore their options — and find out whether they are eligible for financial help — in just a few minutes by using the Shop and Compare Tool at CoveredCA.com. All they need to do is enter their ZIP code, household income and the ages of those who need coverage to find out which plans are available in their area.
In addition to signing up consumers through its website, Covered California also partners with certified and licensed enrollers who provide free and confidential help throughout the state. Covered California works with more than 11,000 Licensed Insurance Agents, who have established more than 500 storefronts in communities across California.
Consumers can visit https://www.coveredca.com/support/contact-us/ and search for the agent nearest them.
Consumers can also call Covered California at (800) 300-1506 and get information or enroll by phone.
Signing up for a health plan will also help Californians avoid being subjected to the state individual mandate. Consumers who can afford health care coverage but choose to go without could pay a penalty when they file their state taxes in 2023. The penalty is administered by California’s Franchise Tax Board, and could be as much as $2,400 for a family of four.
Covered California’s open-enrollment period runs through Jan. 31, 2022 — unlike the federal deadline, which is Jan. 15 for states that use healthcare.gov. Consumers who sign up after Dec. 31 will have their coverage start on Feb. 1.
Covered California’s online enrollment portal and certified enrollers will also help people find out whether they are eligible for Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal enrollment is available year-round, and the coverage will begin the day after a person signs up. In addition, people can apply for Medi-Cal online or by picking up an application at one of the many county resource centers throughout the region.
- Details
- Written by: Editor
The clinic will take place from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Lucerne Elementary School, 3351 Country Club Drive.
The VaccinateAll58 campaign is partnering with Lake County Health Services to host a series of free COVID-19 and flu vaccination clinics for Lake County residents ages 5 and older. No appointments necessary.
COVID-19 vaccinations for adults and children, boosters and flu shots will be offered.
With just a little over half of eligible Lake County residents fully vaccinated, local residents will have the opportunity to receive their first vaccine, complete their second dose, and/or receive a booster.
Lower dose Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are available for children ages 5 to 11.
All three vaccines, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, as well as boosters will be available at each clinic for ages 5 and up.
Families are encouraged to safely celebrate the holidays with their loved ones by getting vaccinated to protect themselves and each other against COVID-19.
Health officials said all three COVID-19 vaccines are safe and remain highly effective in preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death from the Delta variant, which is the dominant strain of the coronavirus in the U.S.
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