Gov. Schwarzenegger has begun his second term with a major policy announcement regarding a health care coverage plan designed to cover virtually every Californians. More than 6.5 million Californians, or one fifth of the state’s population, are currently without medical coverage which according to Governor Schwarzenegger equals higher costs for care providers and those who do have coverage in the form of hidden taxes, higher premiums, deductibles and co-pays. The uninsured rely on hospital emergency rooms for care and the costs of providing that care has contributed to more than 60 emergency rooms closing over the past decade, according to the Governor. There are seven major components to the governor's plan, devised over the past year with the input of numerous stakeholders, including doctors, hospitals, the insured and uninsured. Everyone must have health care coverage.

Dr. Bob Hartmann, Amador County Health Officer, has declared January 21–27, 2007 as Preteen Vaccine Week in California. “Keeping our young people healthy and safe is one of our top priorities,” said Hartmann. “Preteen Vaccine Week is part of our commitment to ensure that our kids get immunized so they can grow up strong and reach their full potential.” This year, Preteen Vaccine Week is stressing the importance of regular visits to healthcare providers regular check ups are one of the best ways to keep our young people healthy. ers during the preteen and adolescent years.

The Amador County Public Health Department is sending a video message trying to help you stay that way- healthy, this holiday season. Because person-to-person spread can play a significant role in the spread of some illnesses, hand hygiene is a critical element of any outbreak prevention and control strategy.  During outbreaks of flu, and as a preventative measure, everyone is advised and reminded to wash their hands frequently to prevent the propagation of the illness.

Today is the Mother Lode Community blood drive sponsored by the Jackson Rotary. Anyone who gives a pint gets a pint today! If you donate blood you will receive a coupon for a free pint of Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream and T-shirt. Blood donations help patients being treated for accidents, routine surgeries and diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and hemophilia. Thanks to the generosity of local donors when you receive care at Sutter Amador Hospital or at Sacramento-area hospitals such as Kaiser Permanente, UC Davis Medical Center, Sutter or Mercy hospitals, the blood you receive comes from BloodSource donors. Giving blood is easy, safe and takes less than one hour, but only five percent of the estimated 60 percent of eligible Americans donate blood. To give blood, you must be in generally good health, free from cold symptoms for at least 48 hours; be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent); and weigh at least 110 pounds. There is no upper age limit for donating blood. If you’re interested in donating blood please don’t forget a photo ID. The Blood drive is going to be held from 11am to 6pm at the Jackson Civic Center located at 33 Broadway. For more information about the Mother Lode Community blood drive please call Jody Boetzer at 257-7619. For donor eligibility questions call BloodSource at 1-800-995-4420.

A bill that would remove the power from the California State Legislature to approve new childhood vaccine mandates and hand it over to state public health officials appears to be gaining ground in the capitol. The bill, AB 16, would require that all new vaccines recommended by the Center for Disease Control for children would be automatically mandated in California five years later. Citizens would not be able to speak through their elected representatives and stop a new vaccine mandate, such as the Human Papillomavirus vaccine, or stop any other new vaccine recommended by the CDC from being mandated.

It is that time of year when Amador county residents should begin taking precautions against West Nile Virus (WNV). West Nile Virus is caused by a virus which is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. WNV is established in mosquito and bird populations in California and in Amador County, as well as surrounding areas. People who spend a lot of time outdoors at work, gardening or recreating are at the highest risk of being bitten and becoming infected by the virus.

After numerous incidents of injury, 100,000 infant sling carriers made by Infantino have been recalled. Thursday the US Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of the SlingRider Infant Carrier. The slings have a plastic slider on the fabric strap that can break causing infants to fall out of the carrier. There have been ten reports of the sliders breaking. Eight babies actually fell out of the carriers, four of which had impact injuries and were taken to the emergency room. One baby received a fractured skull. The recall involves the Infantino SlingRider carriers with item numbers 141-210, 151-210, 151-528 and 151-534. They were sold at Target Stores, Babies R Us, BJ's Wholesale Club, Modecraft and other retailers nationwide from July 2006 through February 2007. Products labeled “Made in Thailand” or “New 2007 Design” are not included in the recall. For more information, contact the safety commission at (800) 638-2772

The Republican Jewish Coalition is holding a special event at the California Republican Party Convention to discuss Health care with a panel of qualified participants. The event will be held Saturday, February 10, from 4:15 PM-6:30 PM in room 205 of the Sacramento Convention Center which is adjacent to the Hyatt Regency Sacramento Hotel. Mayor Rudy Giuliani, California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, Incoming CRP Chairman Ron Nehring and other CRP Leaders will be present to discuss healthcare issues. The Republicans Jewish Coalition will also feature experts on Healthcare to discuss the Governor's Healthcare Initiatives. Local MD, Arnold Zeiderman of Sutter Creek will be the moderator of the debate. The invitation is open to all who are interested in the future of healthcare. There is no need to RSVP, but for more information on the Republican Jewish Coalition and their events visit www.RJCHQ.org.

 

FNP, PA-C.  LaPointe, is now accepting patients at the Sutter Amador Family Practice office located at 817 Court Street, Suite #12 in Jackson, which is scheduled to open Monday, Feb.12. With over 20 years of caring for patients in Amador County, Marianne continues to provide primary care for the entire family, under the supervision of Thomas Bowhay, MD. Most insurance plans are accepted. Hours: M—F; 8 am—4:30 pm For an appointment, please call (209) 223-2034.

Sutter Amador Hospital (SAH) is pleased to announce the addition of pediatrician, David Stone, M.D. to their medical staff. Dr. Stone began seeing patients on Tuesday, January 16th at the Sutter Amador Pediatric Center located at 601 Court Street, Suite 200.  Sometime this spring, the pediatric center will relocate to the hospital’s new Outpatient Services Center on 100 Mission Boulevard. “Our pediatric center’s patient volumes have increased over the past year,” says Anne Platt, SAH’s CEO. “We are thrilled to be able to fill the need for a second pediatrician in our community.” Dr. Stone comes to us from the Trinity Mother Francis Health System, where he ran their Trinity Pediatric Clinic in Jacksonville, Texas for almost 10 years. His experience prior to his time at Trinity includes Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Texas Health Center in Tyler, Texas and fifteen years in group and private practice in San Diego, California. Dr. Stone served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force where his role was staff pediatrician.