Four Bills would Protect Local Kids, Expand Newborn Screening, Bring Millions of Federal Dollars for Fire Departments and Take Expired Baby Food off Shelves
SACRAMENTO – With today’s Assembly passage of AB 688, freshman Assemblymember Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) has successfully delivered with bipartisan support four bills to the Governor’s desk to help build a healthier Sacramento. Dr. Pan’s AB 301, AB 395, AB 678 and AB 688 take a comprehensive approach toward improving the health and safety of families.
“For over a decade as a pediatrician and educator I have worked with local educators, doctors, nurses and public safety officials just outside our State Capitol in Sacramento,” Dr. Pan said. “Now I am honored to be able to partner with them at the state level on legislation that supports them as they work to protect and empower their communities. I am pleased to be sending the Governor bills that invest in the health and well-being of the people, especially our children.”
AB 301 would ensure children with serious and chronic conditions have access to physicians and specialists supported by the California Children’s Services (CCS) Program. The bill would prevent CCS from sunsetting at the end of 2011, extending the program to 2016. Many communities do not have local pediatric specialists, so families need the statewide CCS program to access specialty care. At the Effort Oak Park Clinic in Sacramento, where Dr. Pan continues to see patients, children referred to the CCS network are able to receive the specialty care they need.
AB 395 would add Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), commonly known as “bubble boy disease,” to the list of genetic disorders identified in California’s newborn screening process. Currently, the state already screens newborns in California for genetic diseases with threatening symptoms that can be prevented if treated soon after birth. AB 395 would save lives and money by adding a new, cost-effective screening for SCID to that newborn screening process.
AB 678 would allow local fire departments to receive approximately $90 million by empowering them submit to the California Department of Health Care Services certified Medi-Cal ambulance transport expenses that could then be submitted to the federal government for reimbursement. The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department has partnered with Dr. Pan to identify the federal funding, a portion of which would help offset local cuts and possibly prevent fire stations in Sacramento from being closed.
AB 688 would ensure expired baby food and over-the-counter medication is taken off of store shelves in California. The presence of expired baby food and over-the-counter drug on store shelves has been a long standing issue in California. As a result of Attorney General Jerry Brown’s 2008 undercover investigation, numerous expired products were discovered on the shelves of retail stores across southern California, resulting in a settlement with Brown’s office in June of 2009. AB 688 prohibits the sale of infant formula and baby food past the use by date, and over-the-counter drugs past the expiration date.
The Governor has approximately 30 days to sign or veto the bills. After that time, without the Governor’s action, the bills automatically become law.
Dr. Richard Pan is a father, pediatrician, educator, small business owner and first-term Assemblymember that lives in Natomas Park. He represents Natomas and portions of the City of Sacramento, along with Arden Arcade, Carmichael, the City of Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks, the City of Folsom, Granite Bay, North Highlands, McClellan Park, Orangevale.
CONTACT: Brian O’Hara (916) 319-2005
Website of Assemblymember Richard Pan: www.asmdc.org/pan
