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Dialysis Patients Rally to Improve Patient Care

Published

9 years ago

September 16, 2017

Dialysis is a life-saving treatment for 66,000 Californians with kidney failure. However patient care is declining.

Last Wednesday, 75 dialysis patients and allies rallied at DaVita Alameda County Dialysis in Oakland to highlight clinic deficiencies and urge state lawmakers to support SB 349, The Dialysis Patient Act. Introduced by State Senator Ricardo Lara, SB 349 seeks to improve patient care, safety and staffing at 570 dialysis clinics in California

“Passing this bill is a matter of life or death for dialysis patients,” said Banbury Holmes, a dialysis patient from Oakland. Holmes, who stopped going to dialysis clinics for treatment after he suffered severe bleeding, now does dialysis at home. “Even with home dialysis, I’m not 100 percent safe, but I would rather be in control than be at the mercy of a corporation that doesn’t care about me.”

“When caregivers have too many patients and not enough time, our safety is on the line,” he added.

DaVita Alameda County Dialysis recorded 26 deficiencies during its 2017 inspection, according to the California Department of Public Health. The infractions included: failure to ensure the clinic was clean and sanitary for 114 patients; failure to ensure the clinic was maintained to ensure the safety of the patients and staff; failure to maintain fully equipped, well- maintained emergency carts and evacuation kits; failure to conduct audits that ensure medications were securely stored and unavailable to unauthorized people; and, failure to ensure patients’ eyes were visible to staff throughout dialysis treatments.

In May, SB 349 passed through the Senate and awaits a Sept. 15th floor vote in the California Assembly. If passed, the bill would mandate safer staffing levels, require annual inspections of clinics, whereas they are now inspected an average of every five to six years. It would also allow more time for patients to recover after treatment and increase equipment sanitation responsibilities for staff.

DaVita and Fresenius, the two largest dialysis corporations, made a combined $3.9 billion in profits from their dialysis in the United States in 2016 and are fiercely opposing the legislation, claiming the bill would increase staffing costs and reduce dialysis patients’ access to care.

For more information, visit SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) website at www.seiu-uhw.

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Former Trustee Alena Maunder Seeks Reelection to Sausalito Marin City School District Board

Alena Maunder, a third-generation Marin City resident and registered nurse with over 20 years of healthcare experience, is seeking reelection to the Sausalito Marin City School District Board. Having previously served as a trustee from 2020 to 2024, Maunder highlights her background in governance, fiscal oversight, and community advocacy as key qualifications for the role. Her platform focuses on academic excellence, mental health supports, and special education. She remains committed to fostering stronger relationships between families and educators to ensure student success. Read more about her campaign priorities.

Published

14 minutes ago

November 2, 2026

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By Special to The Post

Alena Maunder is a third-generation Marin City resident, parent, community advocate, and former Sausalito Marin City School District Trustee who served from 2020 to 2024.

Professionally, Alena is a registered nurse with more than 20 years of healthcare experience and nine years in leadership. She holds degrees in Psychology and Nursing, as well as a Master of Science in Nursing.

With school board experience, she brings a strong understanding of governance, fiscal oversight, accountability, and the importance of stable district leadership.

Alena has also remained actively involved in Marin City through community service, youth programs, and initiatives focused on strengthening opportunities and resources for children and families.

Maunder is seeking to return to the Board to continue advocating for academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, strong special education and mental-health supports, and meaningful community engagement. She is committed to strengthening relationships among students, educators, families, and the Marin City and Sausalito communities while ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.

Her campaign reflects her commitment to “Experienced Leadership. Students First.”

Learn more at www.electalenasmcsd.com.

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Becerra Urges Black Leaders to Turn Out the Vote in Record Numbers

Former U.S. Secretary of Health Xavier Becerra recently visited Oakland to meet with prominent Black leaders just one week before the upcoming November election. Joined by Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee and Sacramento Observer Publisher Larry Lee, Becerra emphasized the importance of high voter turnout at Oakstop, a local Black-owned business. The meeting focused on community protection and collective efforts to support California’s diverse populations as the campaign for the governorship enters its final days. Visit our website to read more.

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Becerra Urges Black Leaders to Turn Out the Vote in Record Numbers

A week before the Nov. 3 election where he hopes to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom as the next democratic governor, former U.S. Secretary of Health Xavier Becerra (center) stopped in Oakland to meet with Black leaders. Welcomed by Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee (center right), who is seeking reelection herself, Becerra said he was proud to stand with Black leaders in Oakland as Election Day grows closer. “Thank you to the elected officials, faith leaders, civic and community leaders who joined us at Oakstop, a Black-owned business that supports local entrepreneurs, artists, and community organizations. This election is about protecting all of California’s communities,” he said. “Let’s finish together.” They were joined by constituents Paul and Gay Cobb (left) and Sacramento Observer Publisher Larry Lee (right). Photo by Jonathan ‘Fitness’ Jones.