Health

OP-ED: Medicare Is Under Attack

Published

9 years ago

August 4, 2015

By Assemblymember Tony Thurmond

Since the Medicare and Medicaid program’s simultaneous signage into law by President Johnson 50 years ago, over 48 million Americans now have access to health care.

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The ethos of these landmark programs is stated in no less than the words used by President Lyndon Johnson: “Millions of our citizens do not now have a full measure of opportunity to achieve and to enjoy good health. Millions do not now have protection or security against the economic effects of sickness. And the time has now arrived for action to help them attain that opportunity and to help them get that protection.”

Yet at this time, Medicare has come under attack. Any reduction in services would force older Americans to pay more out-of-pocket costs for health care premiums.

These shortsighted attempts overlook the savings that Medicare provides, such as preventative services which keeps beneficiaries from needing more costly health services.

Rather than proposing to dismantle a program with proven benefits to all, especially the elderly, detractors should help secure the program and its funding for generations to come.

As we celebrate the anniversary of Medicare, we should recognize that as health care costs increase, even those served by Medicare often do not have enough to pay all of their health care costs.

A report from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that more than 20 percent of those on Medicare reduced their use of dental, vision, and hearing services because they simply could not afford them.

Compounding the high cost of living for seniors in California were cuts to the State Supplemental Payment (SSP)—which compliments Medicare by augmenting the often insufficient Supplemental Security Income (SSI)—that provides income support for the elderly, disabled, and blind.

I authored AB 474, with Assemblymember Cheryl Brown (D-San Bernardino), following a series of hearings I chaired for the California Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services.

The concerns expressed by seniors and advocates were unequivocal; SSI/SSP is their only form of income and often force a choice between paying rent and attending to medical needs. AB 474, which aims to restore SSI/SSP to 2009 levels and provide an additional $233 per month to surpass the federal poverty line, has yet to become law.

The increasing cost of care for seniors also exacerbates broader inequities in our health care delivery system.

In my district in the East Bay, a recent study found that a child born today in a flatland neighborhood will have a life span that is 14 years shorter than a child born in the hills.

There are a variety of factors that account for this unacceptable difference; but making sure that access to quality, affordable health care is available to all – regardless of the neighborhood in which they live – must be our highest priority. That’s just one of the reasons I fought so hard to keep Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo open and why I am fighting now to provide alternatives for care to area residents.

Medicare provides us with a great example of what a national health care plan for all Americans should look like: broad coverage, healthier outcomes, and savings through preventive care.

We should protect and preserve Medicare. Following the program’s 50th anniversary, we must examine how we can further continue the path that Medicare and Medicaid have set for our nation and state.

If we do not walk that path, too many seniors will have to choose between their health and their rent. To echo President Johnson, the time has now arrived for action to help further the opportunities and protection in health care.

Tony Thurmond is the District 15 member of the California State Assembly.

Oakland Post

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Community

Calif. Dept. of Public Health: Got Milk Allergies? Don’t Eat Dave’s Bakery Cornbread

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a warning on Jan. 26, instructing consumers with milk allergies or “severe sensitivity to milk” in the state to not eat Dave’s Bakery Corn Bread due to “risk of illness.” The CDPH warns that consumption of the corn bread manufactured by a Gardena-based company — with expiration dates up to June 18, 2024 — may lead to “life threatening” reactions.

Published

3 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Dave's Bakery Corn Bread, 9 pack/net wt. 21 oz (595g) (Courtesy of CDPH)

By California Black Media

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a warning on Jan. 26, instructing consumers with milk allergies or “severe sensitivity to milk” in the state to not eat Dave’s Bakery Corn Bread due to “risk of illness.”

The CDPH warns that consumption of the corn bread manufactured by a Gardena-based company — with expiration dates up to June 18, 2024 — may lead to “life threatening” reactions.

“This warning applies only to the Corn Bread produced by Bake R Us, DBA Dave’s Baking Company and distributed to schools, retail facilities and in vending machines primarily in southern California,” the DCPH statement reads.

“This product should not be confused with other similarly named companies with national distribution,” it continues.

According to the CDPH, although the corn bread product contains whey, which is a milk allergen, there is no allergy warning label on the packaging, though it is required by state law.

So far, authorities say, no illnesses have been reported in the state, but if anyone finds the products on sale anywhere in the state, they should call the CDPH complaint hotline at (800) 495-3232 or file a report online at CDPH.ca.gov

The CDPH is also recommending that people who have eaten the product and are experiencing any reaction or ill effects should consult their health care provider.

Oakland Post

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Bay Area

East Bay Regional Park District Issues Rattlesnake Advisory

The East Bay Regional Park District released an advisory today on rattlesnakes, which emerge from winter hibernation in early spring and become more active. Warm weather can bring more potential for rattlesnake encounters with humans and dogs, particularly along trails and roads.

Published

3 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

The Northern Pacific rattlesnake is the species found in East Bay Regional Parks. Courtesy photo.

The Richmond Standard

The East Bay Regional Park District released an advisory today on rattlesnakes, which emerge from winter hibernation in early spring and become more active.

Warm weather can bring more potential for rattlesnake encounters with humans and dogs, particularly along trails and roads.

Visitors are encouraged to avoid hiking alone in case of an emergency, to scan the ground ahead as they walk, jog or ride, stay on trails avoiding tall grass, and to look carefully around and under logs and rocks before sitting down. Keep your dog on your leash to be extra safe, park officials said.

If you encounter a rattlesnake, leave it alone – it is unlawful to capture or harm one. Move carefully and slowly away or around it and give it plenty of space, park officials said.

Those who are bitten by a rattlesnake are instructed to stay calm by lying down with the affected limb lower than the heart, then having someone call 911.

Getting medical attention is critical.

Those bitten should not use tourniquets, “sucking,” or snake bite kits. If you are by yourself, walk calmly to the nearest source of help to dial 911, do not run.

If bitten by any other type of snake, wash the wound with soap and water or an antiseptic and seek medical attention.

Not sure what bit you? Check the bite for two puncture marks (in rare cases one) associated with intense, burning pain, which is typical of a rattlesnake bite. Other snakebites can leave marks without associated burning pain.

The Northern Pacific rattlesnake is the species found in East Bay Regional Parks. Snakes are important to the natural environment, helping to control rodents and other reptile populations. But enjoy them from afar.

For more information, download the Park District’s Common Snakes brochure or watch our Gopher Snake or Rattlesnake video to learn how to tell the difference between rattlesnakes and gopher snakes. Additional information is available at ebparks.org/safety/wildlife-encounters.

Oakland Post

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Alameda County

A Safe Place, Bay Area Domestic Violence Community Organization, Opens New Service Center in Oakland

Oakland-Bay Area non-profit, A Safe Place, announces the grand opening of its newly purchased building in Oakland that will be a service center for families that have suffered from domestic violence. The new, two-story building has over six new service rooms for counseling, mental health support groups, legal services, children’s treatment, safe space for community engagement, and partnership activities.

Published

3 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Façade of the new community center for A Safe Place opening on May 10 in Oakland. Courtesy photo.

By Courtney Slocum Riley

Special to The Post

Oakland-Bay Area non-profit, A Safe Place, announces the grand opening of its newly purchased building in Oakland that will be a service center for families that have suffered from domestic violence.

The new, two-story building has over six new service rooms for counseling, mental health support groups, legal services, children’s treatment, safe space for community engagement, and partnership activities.

Domestic violence occurrences and offenses account for a considerable amount of all violent crimes in Alameda County. A Safe Place is attempting to provide a safe place for families to heal. A Safe Place is the only comprehensive domestic violence assistance program including a safehouse, in Oakland.

The grand opening celebration will also serve as a fundraiser to build out healing, therapeutic spaces for children and adult victims and survivors and survivors of domestic violence (male and female).

The new service center will expand the work of the organization, founded in 1976 when a group of women working in San Francisco came together to address the urgent need for a shelter in the East Bay. A year later, they founded A Safe Place (ASP) in Oakland. Run solely by volunteers, they set up a crisis line to offer crisis counseling and information to battered women and their children.

The organization serves over 500 adults and children annually through a host of services including crisis counseling via 24-hour crisis line, emergency motel and safehouse sheltering, mental health services (counseling and support groups).

Under the leadership of Executive Director, Carolyn Russell, the organization has grown from a single program into the comprehensive domestic violence and assistance program. ASP strives to meet the growing and diverse needs of our growing community.

The organization hopes to complete all the upgrades and therapeutic room improvements by August 2024. The public is invited to donate to the effort by using the website at www.asafeplace.org/donate. The organization also accepts in-kind gifts as well as items from the organization’s Amazon Wishlist.