Here are some photos from Supervisor Bonilla's visit:
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Supervisor Susan Bonilla of Contra Costa Visits Concord Health Center - 8/22/07
Here are some photos from Supervisor Bonilla's visit:
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
PPSD Goes To The Napa Fair - 8/22/07
Here are some photos below:
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Help Protect REAL Sex Education - 8/9/07
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Contra Costa Board of Supervisors Proclaim August 5-11“Community Health Center Week" - 8/8/07
Choice Words: Sen. Torlakson's Office Visits PPSD's Concord Clinic - 8/8/07
The second bill discussed, AB 1328, promotes timely access to cost-effective preventive health care services for pregnant women and children in the Medi-Cal and the Access for Infants and Mothers (AIM) program. The bill would strike the six month residency requirement for pregnant women applying for AIM coverage, and ensure the implementation of an electronic Medi-Cal enrollment process for pregnant women. Both AB 629 and AB 1328 have passed the Assembly and are currently pending in the Senate.
Finally,
Senator Torlakson’s district includes 6 of our clinics including:
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
The House is a CHAMP for Children - 8/7/07
Friday, August 3, 2007
Fairfield Daily Republic Talks Medi-Cal - 8/3/07
Fairfield Daily Republic - August 3, 2007
Budget impasse imperils Planned Parenthood
By Andrea E. Garcia
In the past 20 years, there has only been one rate increase for the Medi-Cal Fee-for-Service program, a health plan that bills Medical Assistance for care or services.
But health care costs have increased more than 300 percent during that time, said Donna McNichol, regional director for Planned Parenthood. That means the facility is working with 1987 dollars for 2007 costs.
"Because of the rate increase, we are having difficulties getting providers and keeping them. It's difficult to be competitive in the market when your rates have not increased," she said. "We have competition in other venues and these providers have gone elsewhere to make more money."
As a result, programs and services at Planned Parenthood are getting curtailed, such as prenatal service.
In 2005, a lack of a rate increase forced the
McNichol works at both locations has seen the effects firsthand.
At one time, she said, the
"It's very frustrating for me," McNichol said. "We're talking about getting preventive services to people and how much it saves us in the long run. But then no one does anything about it. We're not doing what we have to make it happen."
Prenatal service is not the only program likely to be cut.
Christopher Lee, vice president for public policy and advocacy for Planned Parenthood Shasta-Diablo, said a number of potential life-saving services will be affected, including cancer screening and HIV testing.
"It's a tough thing to be in the position of the folks we service," he said. "They rely on our services, including testing and treatment. These are preventative care services that are in jeopardy."
As of Thursday, there were an estimated $227 million in payments withheld by the state for Medi-Cal Fee-for-Service providers.
Pending passage of the state budget, an estimated 11,000 providers will not receive payment and will be impacted, according to the Department of Health Services.
On Wednesday, the budget bill failed in the state Senate by a vote of 26-14, one aye vote shy of the two-thirds majority needed for approval. The Legislature did not pick a date to reconvene as of Thursday.
Reach Andrea E. Garcia at 427-6953 or agarcia@dailyrepublic.net.
Elle Magazine Features 7 Essays On The Supreme Court's Decision On The Federal Abortion Ban - 8/3/07
Thursday, August 2, 2007
And Now, An Important Message About YOUR Healthcare - 8/2/07
Listen to this important radio program that highlights the need to increase Medi-Cal provider reimbursement rates now!
Now Playing: Medi-Cal Provider Reimbursement Rate Program
Movin' On Up...To The 21st Century - 8/2/07
Thanks and see you soon!