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Category Archives: Health Care

Health care workers reach tentative deal

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The multi-union Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) representing 47,000 health care workers has reached a tentative settlement with B.C.s health employers.

The five-year agreement was reached with the assistance of mediator Vince Ready.

The FBA bargaining committee is unanimously recommending the agreement to its constituent unions, and the provincial executive of the Hospital Employees Union (HEU) voted today to recommend ratification to its members. HEU represents a majority of the workers covered by the collective agreement.

The settlement includes 5.5 per cent in general wage increases over the life of the agreement, limits contracting out, expands employment options and protects benefits.

It also includes provisions that enhance the ability of paramedics to work within a community paramedicine model, and addresses outstanding issues around paramedics pay scales.

Details of the agreement were distributed to union members this week.

HEU secretary-business manager Bonnie Pearson says the 96 per cent strike mandate delivered by union members two weeks ago helped secure the tentative deal.

Health care workers signaled clearly that they were determined to protect jobs and improve working and caring conditions, Pearson said. This agreement meets those conditions and provides a measure of stability and certainty in a health care system that is under considerable stress.

The collective agreement includes workers in hospitals, residential care facilities, emergency health services, and logistics and supply operations. Its the largest bargaining unit in B.C.s public sector.

The 43,600 health-care workers covered by this tentative agreement play a crucial role in keeping our health system functioning, and this agreement will ensure British Columbians who need medical care receive it in a timely and effective manner in a safe environment, added Health Minister Terry Lake.

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Health care workers reach tentative deal

Health Care for All?

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On a recent Tuesday evening in Richmond, Marta waited to see a doctor. In recent months, she had developed a rash that covered her body, and her entire face had been swollen.

Marta, whom the Express agreed to not identify fully because she is an undocumented immigrant, was seeing a doctor at a free clinic for the uninsured that is open just once a week. Unlike most health-care facilities, this clinic is staffed by volunteer doctors, nurses, receptionists, and medical interpreters. Volunteers believe many of those seeking care at RotaCare Richmond Free Medical Clinic at Brighter Beginnings, one of a dozen volunteer-run clinics founded by Rotarians in the Bay Area, are undocumented like Marta, although they do not ask patients about their immigration status.

"Most of the patients we see are working, and most of them are in low-paying jobs," said Dr. Pate Thomson, a medical director at the clinic and a retired cardiologist.

Despite the successful implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the expansion of Medi-Cal in California this year, about three million state residents remain uninsured. Of those, about one million are undocumented and thus are not eligible to enroll under Obamacare. Prior to this year's rollout of the Affordable Care Act, undocumented residents made up 20 percent of the uninsured population in the state. They now represent about 30 percent of the remaining uninsured, according to a report by the Health Access Foundation.

But that could change later this year. The state legislature is currently considering Senate Bill 1005, dubbed the "Health for All" act. Authored by Senator Ricardo Lara, D-Long Beach, the bill would allow undocumented people to sign up for Obamacare and Medi-Cal through Covered California, the state's health insurance exchange.

"I know from my own personal experience and other immigrant families that we knew that there are many difficult struggles that immigrants face as it is, and basic health needs should not be one of them," said state Assemblymember Rob Bonta, a co-author of the bill whose district includes Oakland, Alameda, and San Leandro. Assemblymember Nancy Skinner, whose district includes Berkeley, North Oakland, and Richmond, is also a co-author.

An estimated 2.6 million undocumented people meaning those who came here illegally or who came here legally but then lost their legal status live in California. About 124,000 reside in Alameda County and 79,000 in Contra Costa County, according to estimates by the Public Policy Institute of California. Undocumented people make up about 10 percent of the state's workforce.

Undocumented Californians also paid about $2.7 billion in taxes, including property, sales, and income taxes, in 2010, according to the most recent annual estimate available from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. "There's this misconception that undocumented people are 'takers' that they're benefiting from public benefits but not contributing," said Daniel Zingale, senior vice president of The California Endowment, which has embarked on a multimillion-dollar campaign also named "Health for All" to raise awareness about undocumented people and their inability to access health care.

Currently, 29 percent of undocumented adults nationwide receive health insurance through their job or have private insurance, according to the Migration Policy Institute. But the others may never see a regular physician. They use home remedies when they're sick or injured, or they end up in the emergency room when their health deteriorates significantly. Some seek help from places like RotaCare or other safety net providers in the area, including clinics such as La Clnica de La Raza and Asian Health Services in Oakland.

SB 1005's proponents, who include traditional health advocates and immigrant rights activists, say the legislation will decrease the amount the state will have to pay for emergency treatment of undocumented residents.It's unclear, however, exactly how much the state would save. A recent study by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research found that undocumented Californians currently show up at the ER at about half the rate of US-born residents. But undocumented people may be avoiding the ER because of their fear of being deported.

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Health Care for All?

The Health Care Environment & Evaluation of Strategic Positioning – Video

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The Health Care Environment Evaluation of Strategic Positioning
Have you considered your health system #39;s market position? Do you have a strategy for the future? Join BKD for a look at current industry trends, market activity and strategic affiliation drivers.

By: BKD, LLP

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The Health Care Environment & Evaluation of Strategic Positioning - Video

White House Defends SECY Shinseki’s Handling Of VA Health Care Scandal – The Five – Video

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White House Defends SECY Shinseki #39;s Handling Of VA Health Care Scandal - The Five
White House Defends SECY Shinseki #39;s Handling Of VA Health Care Scandal - The Five =========================================== **Please Click Below to SUBS...

By: Mass Tea Party

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White House Defends SECY Shinseki's Handling Of VA Health Care Scandal - The Five - Video

Maternal Infant Care in the Dominican Republic, a Physicans For Peace Mission 2013 – Video

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Maternal Infant Care in the Dominican Republic, a Physicans For Peace Mission 2013
This video is a recording of a Grand Rounds presentation I gave at Eastern VA Medical School, Norfolk Virginia, U.S.A. after I returned from a medical mission with Physicians for Peace in Santo...

By: Margarita deVeciana Haugh

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Maternal Infant Care in the Dominican Republic, a Physicans For Peace Mission 2013 - Video

Health care workers union 1199SEIU supporting Rangel

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Rep. Charles Rangel won a coveted endorsement Tuesday, receiving the support of the health care workers union 1199 SEIU.

"We feel as far as our political report card is concerned, Charlie was always an 'A' and many times an 'A +'," 1199 President George Gresham told The Daily News.

He vowed to throw the unions full weight behind Rangels primary campaign against state Sen. Adriano Espaillat and the Rev. Michael Walrond.

When we get into these things, we do it to win, Gresham said. As far as resources, both financially and human, were not putting any limits.

Meanwhile, The News learned that Rangel had a private lunch Monday at City Hall Restaurant with Mayor de Blasio, who so far has not taken sides in the June 24 primary.

Earlier this year, Rangel grumbled that he couldnt get de Blaiso on the phone.

The large and powerful health care workers union had watched the Rangel race from the sidelines as big players like the United Federation of Teachers and the Hotel Trades Council both former Rangel supporters backed Espaillat (D-Manhattan).

But the union, which backed Rangel against Espaillat in the 2012 Democratic primary, decided it was time to be "rock solid with someone who's been rock solid with us," Gresham told The News.

"I couldnt begin to give you a list of negative things about Adriano, he said. Its more about the positives about Charlie. The same could be said for ... Walrond. Our membership urged us to consider him as well.

With 200,000 members and deep pockets, 1199 SEIU can provide Rangel with important logistical support. Theyve got basically unlimited resources, a labor source told The News earlier this year.

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Health care workers union 1199SEIU supporting Rangel

First Case Of MERS Contracted On U.S. Soil: Illinois Resident Catches Deadly Virus – Video

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First Case Of MERS Contracted On U.S. Soil: Illinois Resident Catches Deadly Virus
First Case Of MERS Contracted On U.S. Soil: Illinois Resident Catches Deadly Virus First Case Of MERS Contracted On U.S. Soil: Illinois Resident Catches Deadly Virus First Case Of MERS Contracted...

By: Nick Dillan

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First Case Of MERS Contracted On U.S. Soil: Illinois Resident Catches Deadly Virus - Video

Get off medications and go natural: Mark Fierro interviews Cristy Thomas DNP, FNP-BC, APRN – Video

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Get off medications and go natural: Mark Fierro interviews Cristy Thomas DNP, FNP-BC, APRN
Mark Fierro of Fierro Communications of Las Vegas interviews Cristy Thomas DNP, FNP-BC, APRN, on KXNT 100.5 Las Vegas CBS Radio #39;s Health Forum with Mark Fierro. Dr. Thomas has completed extensive...

By: Mark Fierro @ Fierro Communications

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Get off medications and go natural: Mark Fierro interviews Cristy Thomas DNP, FNP-BC, APRN - Video


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