After establishing a practice as a pediatrician and becoming a UC Davis educator, I am often asked if this is a good time to serve as an Assemblymember in a state with so many challenges. These challenges, which often seem daunting, are opportunities to help empower our communities and add to the reasons to serve.

Kyle Mullen (left) is one of the reasons why I came to the Capitol. Kyle was lucky to be screened and diagnosed for a genetic disorder called Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID). After proper treatment, Kyle's immune system now easily fights off the type of infections that took the life of Kyle's brother Shane who - like most California newborns - was not screened for SCID.

AB 395 has been signed into law by the Governor and adds SCID, commonly known as "Bubble Boy Disease," to the list of genetic disorders identified in California's newborn screening process. Now, newborns with SCID will no longer face a life of repeated illness and infections ending in death during childhood; instead, they will be diagnosed at birth and can receive life-saving treatment. This picture of Kyle was taken at UC Davis Medical Center, where I joined with physicians and Kyle's family to discuss how cost effective screenings and treatment options for SCID can reduce health care costs and save the lives of newborn babies.

Fire departments have been involved in the transporting of medical patients in California for more than sixty years; they are essential to California's health-care safety net. Their unique standing in Medi-Cal -- required to respond, treat and transport all emergency patients without exception and without regard to a patient's ability to pay – makes firefighters an especially important and powerful medical resource for the poor and vulnerable. AB 678, signed into law by the governor, secures up to $90 million in federal funding available to help pay for this care.

Kurt Henke, Interim Fire Chief for Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Protection District, explained to the Assembly Health Committee how AB 678 will improve emergency response in Sacramento. "For our Fire District here in Sacramento, AB 678 means that we could give our firefighters more of the resources they need to protect our citizens. Whether it is responding to a three-alarm fire or a medical emergency, your firefighters are always on the front lines when it comes to saving lives and property throughout our state. Dr. Pan's bill will secure federal funding to help us do just that."

AB 301, recently signed by the Governor, will ensure 185,000 California children with serious and chronic health conditions continue receiving quality care under the California Children's Services (CCS) Program. CCS protects children with serious and chronic health conditions such as congenital heart disease, spina bifida, cancer, cleft palate, premature birth and other life-threatening conditions.

Robert Pewitt testified before the Assembly Health Committee on why CCS is so critical to his family. "My wife and I adopted three children who are medically fragile and developmentally disabled," Pewitt said. "Our kids require 24 hour total care. They cannot role from side to side, stand or sit without assistance. Nor can they feed, dress or toilet themselves. All are afflicted with seizure disorders, one is tracheotomy dependent, two are feed by tube and another may soon need to be fed by tube. Primary Care, Neurology, Gastrointerology, Pulmonary, Neurosurgery, Rehabilitation, Orthopedics, Orthotics, Durable Medical Equipment, Medication, Respiratory Supplies, Feeding Supplies, Physical, Occupational, Speech and Respiratory Therapies, Wheelchair Clinics and Core Team Evaluations are coordinated by CCS staff. Most importantly the CCS staff know our children. Staffers have seen and visited with our children. As a result, we can call our CCS office and speak to a person who knows the kids by their name rather than an ID number. I couldn't imagine trying to work with a larger agency when we have so many complicated issues."

It is important for families to know that the food they buy for their children will help them grow up healthy. AB 688 will now ensure that baby food and formula, as well as over-the-counter medications, are not sold after they expire. Several investigations found these expired products on store shelves throughout California and prompted a diverse group of organizations and individuals to urge the governor to sign AB 688. Hene Kelly, Legislative Director for the California Alliance of Retired Americans said, "California seniors take over-the-counter drugs like low dosage aspirin to address heart attacks and strokes, so we need to be sure these products are effective."

Woodland parent Dale Proctor traveled to Sacramento to join Kelly and representatives of several other groups in urging the governor to sign AB 688. "My seven month old son Kai became violently ill after consuming baby food which I purchased from a major retailer," said Proctor. "I went to the cupboard to check the baby food jars – to my surprise the baby food was seven months past the expiration date. I cannot explain how upset we were. I went back to the store and found eight more jars of expired baby food products. This was no simple careless mistake. It is unbelievable that in California it is completely legal to sell expired baby food and formula. AB 688 fixes this problem -- and will restore our confidence that stores will only put current products on their shelves."

The recent report, 'Securing a Healthy Future,' by the Commonwealth Fund ranks California 44th overall in children's health among all states. Disappointingly, California also ranks 49th in both the percentage of children with a medical home and the percentage of children with special health care needs who had no problems receiving referrals when needed. As a pediatrician who partners with communities on health promotion, I am deeply concerned about the consequences of our children's poor health and access to care. This report proclaims, 'States that invest in children's health reap the benefits of having children who are able to learn in school and become healthy, productive adults.' The future of California depends on our willingness to invest now in our children's health."

Click here for the Commonwealth Fund report.

After being elected to the Assembly in November of 2010, I'm proud to serve as Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Healthcare Workforce and Access to Care, Vice-Chair of the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs and as a member of the Assembly Committees on Health and Aging and Long-Term Care.

I am also pleased to have been invited to sit on hearings of the Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials to provide scientific expertise on the health effects of exposure to chemicals. It is crucial that the Legislature is committed to ensuring sound science is used when making public health policy.