 CHI Releases Policy Brief on Prevention in Health Reform
Following up on the May California Health Policy Forum on Prevention in Health Reform, CHI has teamed with the Public Health Institute and the Prevention Institute to publish a brief that highlights key prevention provisions in this year's federal health reform bill - the Affordable Care Act. Transforming Health: Integrating Prevention in Reform Efforts makes the case for continuing to build the evidence base for clinical preventive services and community prevention programs, highlighting two programs in California - one describing California's Healthy Cities and Communities program and another that shows how one community is addressing the interrelated issues of violence and physical activity.
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CHI and other Nonprofit Leaders Release
Recommendations on California's Health Agenda
 Recognizing the importance of health as a resource for daily life and its critical importance for California's economic well-being, over 20 health-related organizations gathered in Oakland in February to begin a discussion of common values and to develop momentum for changes that will improve the lives and well-being of people in California and beyond. The group of 26 organizations supporting the three core principles that emerged from their discussions - equity and fairness, effective governance, and health in all policies - believes that California and its policymakers should adopt a comprehensive approach to health and safety so that the population is better able to take advantage of all the opportunities California affords. Read the group's recommendations. |
CHI Educates Policy Community on Health Information Technology
The Center for Health Improvement continues to inform the policy community on federal health reform and how key decisions will impact health reform implementation in California. CHI held two California Health Policy Forum briefings this fall on Health Information Technology (HIT).  |
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Spotlight on New Funding
The Center for Health Improvement is pleased to have received additional support for two core programs. The California Wellness Foundation awarded a three-year grant supporting the California Health Policy Forum. The Forum provides an independent platform for education, idea sharing, and conversations among legislative and executive branch health policy staff about the vast array of health issues facing the state. Bristol Myers Squibb awarde  d funding to support CalHEP in reducing the scope and consequences of the hepatitis B and C epidemics. Funds provided support the work of the Alliance, including the policy agenda and the development of a comprehensive, statewide viral hepatitis online resource guide. We appreciate the support of these organizations. If you would like to support CHI's work, click on the donate button to the left or contact Michelle Johnston at 916-930-9216. |
California Hepatitis Alliance's 2010 Legislative S ession Summary
2010 was a mixed year in terms of progress on CalHEP's policy agenda. CalHEP provided support for two bills related to syringe exchange:
- SB 1029, by Senator Leland Yee, would have allowed pharmacists and physicians to furnish 30 or fewer syringes without prescription and would have allowed adults to possess up to 30 for personal use.
- AB 1858, by Assemblymember Blumenfield, would have allowed the California Department of Public Health to authorized syringe exchange services in locations where the conditions exist for the rapid spread of viral hepatitis, HIV and other deadly or disabling diseases spread by the sharing of syringes.
While both bills successfully made it to Governor Schwarzenegger's desk, they were both vetoed. Governor Schwarzenegger did sign a bill to sustain the status quo: cities and counties may authorize pharmacists to furnish 10 or fewer syringes to an adult, and cities and counties may authorize syringe exchange services. Currently almost half of Californians live in jurisdictions where there is no safe legal access to sterile syringes without a prescription, and where law enforcement may arrest a person for attempting to comply with the U.S. Public Health service recommendation to injection drug users that they use a new sterile syringe for each injection.
CalHEP also worked with Assemblymember Ma to sponsor AB 2600, which would have required the Medical Board of California to consider including a continuing education course on the diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis. As a result of the May 19, 2010 California Health Policy Forum on viral hepatitis, co-sponsored by CalHEP, the Medical Board of California requested that CalHEP supply expert testimony on viral hepatitis. On July 28, 2010, CalHEP staff and members attended the Medical Board of California's education subcommittee meeting. CalHEP members Dr. Sam So, Dr. Diana Sylvestre and Dr. Eddie Cheung presented, along with Dr. Gail Bolan. The presentations were intended to educate the committee and aid in discussions about whether to add viral hepatitis to the 25 credit hours of continuing medical education. Having achieved the goal of meeting with the California Medical Board and presenting the need for physician education on viral hepatitis, Assemblymember Ma felt that the bill was not essential to advocacy efforts, so she amended it to address another issue.
Assembly Concurrent Resolution 141, introduced by Assemblymember Blakeslee, declared May 19, 2010 to be Viral Hepatitis Awareness Day in California. ACR 141 passed unanimously in both houses.CalHEP is proud to have this resolution added to those being initiated by many states and countries.
CalHEP will continue to fight for evidence-based policies and programs to reduce the burden of the hepatitis B and C epidemics in California. We thank those of you who contacted your legislators and the Governor to encourage support for these bills.
Membership in CalHEP is free. Learn about the benefits and become a member.
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Stay Connected
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Funding Partners
The Center for Health Improvement receives support from the Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality, Bristol-Myers Squibb, California
HealthCare Foundation, The California Wellness Foundation, Gilead Sciences Inc., Merck and Company, Inc., Roche/Genentech and
Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
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We're a CMAS Contractor
CHI has established a California Multiple Schedule Award (CMAS) contract with the state. If you'd like to discuss how CHI could help you with planning, program implementation, facilitation, training, organizational development or other tasks, contact Michelle Johnston at 916-930-9216.
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