Omicron Variant Is on the Rise Globally and in the U.S.; Two Shots Are Not Enough Anymore and Getting a Booster Right Away Is Critical SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – With the Omicron variant rapidly spreading throughout the world and the effectiveness of the initial COVID-19 vaccine series diminishing over time, the County of Santa Clara is strongly urging everyone eligible to obtain a booster shot right away. Booster shots are available, through both appointments and drop-in availability, at many pharmacies, clinics, and mass vaccination locations throughout the County. Everyone 16 and older who is six months out from their second Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two months out from their Johnson & Johnson vaccine, is ... December 20, 2021 COVID19, General, Public Health COVID-19, Omicron, Variant 0 0 Comment Read More »
Teen Parent Resource Fair The Santa Clara Family Health Plan and Blanca Alvarado Community Resource Center in partnership with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and First 5 is hosting a Teen Parent Resource Fair on Saturday, December 18, 2021 for an in-person event for pregnant teens and teen parents. For more information, call (408)874-1750. December 16, 2021 Public Health Baby, Parents, Supplies, Teen 0 0 Comment Read More »
Senate Passes Legislation to Halt Medicare Physician Payment Cuts Last evening, the Senate passed legislation halt Medicare physician payment cuts that were scheduled to take effect on January 1. President Biden is expected to sign the bill into law. Highlights of the physician payment provisions include: A delay in resuming the 2% Medicare sequester for three months (January 1- March 31, 2022), followed by a reduction to 1% for three months (April 1-June 30, 2022). A one-year increase in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule of 3% (0.75% less than the conversion factor boost provided for 2021). A one-year delay in the cuts ... December 10, 2021 Advocacy, Medicare Legislation, Medicare, Senate 0 0 Comment Read More »
Senate Must Act Now on Medicare Payment Cuts It’s coming down to the wire. As Congress continues to fight over a number of year-end priorities, time is running out to address the looming Medicare payment cuts that, if not reversed, would have devastating consequences for Medicare patients and our health care system. Tell your Senators to act NOW to protect America’s Medicare patients. On January 1, 2022 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will drastically reduce payments for certain health care providers. If Congress does not act to stop these cuts before the end of the year, it ... December 8, 2021 Advocacy, legislation, Medicare Congress, Cuts, Medicare, Senate 0 0 Comment Read More »
The Work of Family Caregiving: Invisible, Costly, and Taxing Laura’s 78-year-old mother fell off a health cliff, spiraling downward in a decline that’s not uncommon among older adults. “She went from normal cognition to thinking it was her wedding day and that I was her mother,” Laura told Vox journalist Anne Helen Petersen. “She didn’t know how to walk and didn’t remember what had happened to her.” Laura, whose last name and location were withheld to protect her privacy, spent the next few years caring for her parents. Like many other Americans who become full-time caretakers, she had limited options. Medicare doesn’t cover ... December 6, 2021 General, Healthcare, Medi-Cal, Patient Care California, Caregiving, Essential Coverage, Medi-Cal 0 0 Comment Read More »
