Health
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) commended state legislators for their support of Assembly Bill (AB) 900 (Alejo).
AB 900, which would partially restore Medi-Cal funding for hospital-based skilled nursing services, is critical to the successful implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and vital to rural counties that are struggling to maintain health care services, the group said.
“Cuts to hospital-based skilled nursing services don’t save money, they actually cost more by eliminating the most efficient treatment,” said Kevin Cann, RCRC Board Chair and Mariposa County Supervisor. “The state will spend hundreds of millions more to deliver less effective care, at a time when millions of new residents will become eligible for services due to the ACA. RCRC is committed to working with legislators to enact AB 900 to provide effective healthcare, and protect scarce resources.”
These cuts to hospital based skilled nursing facilities are disproportionate and devastating to rural communities, where access to care is already limited.
The cuts range from 25 to 40 percent, and are retroactive to 2011.
As a result, some facilities are closing, and others cutting back drastically.
For example, Mayers Memorial Hospital in Shasta County and Eastern Plumas Health Care in Plumas County have both halted new patient admissions.
In San Benito County, Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital also is making potential plans to shut down a 70-bed facility.
“AB 900 is critical to California’s future, and we are pleased that it passed the Assembly by a 76-0 margin, as well as the Senate Health Committee by an 8-0 vote. Such overwhelming bipartisan support proves that AB 900 should be passed and signed by Governor Jerry Brown,” Supervisor Cann concluded.
AB 900 was sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee Suspense File on Monday due to its fiscal impact.
It is anticipated that the measure will be heard in that Committee prior to the close of the Legislative Session.
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California Department of Public Health warns consumers not to eat Ginger Candy imported from Vietnam
SACRAMENTO – Dr. Ron Chapman, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) director and state health officer, has issued a warning to consumers not to eat Ginger Candy imported from Vietnam after tests conducted by CDPH found the products contain levels of lead that exceed the state’s standards.
Consumers in possession of this candy should discard it immediately.
Recent analysis by CDPH determined that Ginger Candy contained as much as 0.12 parts per million (ppm) of lead. This concentration of lead could provide up to 10.21 micrograms of lead per serving.
Children under 6 years of age should not consume more than 6.0 micrograms of lead per day from all dietary sources.
Ginger Candy is imported and distributed by Evershing International Trading, Inc., of San Jose. Evershing International initiated a voluntary recall and CDPH is currently working with the distributor to ensure that the contaminated candies are removed from the marketplace.
Ginger Candy is sold in a 12-ounce clear plastic container. A white label with red lettering is on the lid of the container, and the name “Ginger Candy” appears in the center of the label.
A drawing of a coconut tree appears at the top of the label. The product is pieces of dehydrated ginger coated in sugar, yellow in color and visible through the container.
Pregnant women and parents of children who may have eaten this candy should consult their physician or health care provider to determine if medical testing is needed.
Consumers who find this candy for sale should call the CDPH Complaint Hotline at 1‑800-495-3232.
For more information about lead poisoning, contact your county childhood lead poisoning prevention program or public health department.
Additional information is available on the CDPH Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention page at http://www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/discond/Pages/CLPPBChildrenAtRisk.aspx .
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