“Planned Parenthood has performed more than 4 million breast exams over the past five years, nearly 170,000 of these exams were funded by Komen grants. By terminating these grants, Komen will be denying access to tens of thousands of women. These are critical services in communities of need. That is not consistent with Komen’s stated mission as I understand it,” said Senator Padilla.

“Komen has placed its supporters in the untenable position of aligning themselves with acquiescence to the agenda of the religious right, or aligning themselves with healthcare and breast cancer organizations that will not bow to such pressures. The choice is clear to me. I choose the latter,” said Senator Padilla.

Senator Padilla served as a volunteer “Pink Tie Guy.” Pink Tie Guys are civic leaders and ambassadors for the Komen organization who wear pink ties at public events and raise awareness about breast cancer.

Senator Alex Padilla represents more than 900,000 residents of the 20th State Senate District which includes most of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles.

“Three out of four adult smokers start before they are 18 and one in three youth smokers will die prematurely from smoking-related illnesses. It is clear that we must do more to keep tobacco away from kids,” said Senator Padilla. “This bill would make sure that no new tobacco licenses will be issued to any retail outlets near schools.”

Said Dr. John Maa, American Heart Association volunteer, “Nearly 90 percent of adult smokers started before the age of 18. We believe SB 331 is a good strategy to ensure California’s children don’t ever pick up that first cigarette, thereby preventing a lifelong addiction and the negative health consequences.”

Specifically, SB 331 would amend the Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement (STAKE) Act and the Tobacco Licensing Act to prohibit the issuance of any new retail tobacco licenses within 600 feet of any public or private school beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The bill enables the Board of Equalization (BOE) to deny a new retail license application if it is for a location that is within 600 feet of any school. The bill gives authority to CDPH to ensure that the law is followed by applicants.

Passed in 1994, The STAKE Act makes it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18 and gives authority to CDPH and other law enforcement agencies to conduct compliance checks of tobacco retailers and enforce civil penalties for infractions. Also, anyone who sells tobacco products to a minor may be subject to criminal prosecution, punishable by a fine, under Penal Code Section 308.

Senator Padilla added, “With this bill we have an opportunity to make a clear statement that California will not tolerate the sale of tobacco products to children. We must do everything we can to protect their health and future.”

There are approximately 37,000 tobacco retailers in California, of which many are located near schools. A study conducted by the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program found that more than 33 percent of tobacco sales to minors take place within 1,000 of a school. The 2008 California Student Tobacco Survey (CSTS) shows that smoking rates among 9-12 graders is almost 15 percent.

Early tobacco use increases the likelihood of lifelong tobacco addiction. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 80 percent of adult smokers say they began before the age of 18. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reports that more than 35,000 Californians die each year from smoking-related diseases and costs the state $18.6 billion a year in medical expenses.

Senator Alex Padilla represents more than 900,000 residents of the 20th State Senate District which includes most of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles.

“Building upon the tremendous leadership of Leader Pelosi in Congress on the reauthorization of the Ryan White Care Act, San Francisco will continue to sustain investments in HIV/AIDS care and treatment,” said Mayor Lee. “Despite continued historic budget challenges, we remain committed to funding critical care services for those living with HIV/AIDS in San Francisco.”

“For several years, I worked successfully in a bipartisan way to roll back these destabilizing cuts and their potentially devastating impacts, restoring nearly $21 million to San Francisco’s systems of care since 2007,” said Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. “Today, again San Francisco leads the way for compassionate, community-based care for people with HIV/AIDS with this supplemental budget appropriation from Mayor Lee.”

“Leader Pelosi is a hero to our community for tirelessly working over the past quarter century to ensure strong funding for HIV/AIDS services. Now it’s San Francisco’s turn to step up and ensure continued funding for those living with or at risk for HIV,” said Supervisor Wiener. “I am committed to keeping these services intact. It is a top priority for me.”

“We are grateful for Leader Pelosi’s leadership all these years. Following on her footsteps, this supplemental will literally save lives, for it will ensure that basic HIV/AIDS services are provided to the most vulnerable in our community,” said Supervisor Campos.

“The Mayor and Supervisors Campos and Wiener’s joint request for a supplemental appropriation ensures the continuation of vital primary care and supportive services, which are essential to the health of individuals living with HIV/AIDS,” said San Francisco HIV/AIDS Provider Network (HAPN) Vice-President Brett Andrews. “San Francisco has provided leadership to the entire country with an effective model of care to respond to the AIDS crisis. San Francisco relies on, and will continue to benefit from the leadership and cooperation of the Mayor and the Board reflected here today.”

The $1.8 million in funding was eliminated by Congress in its most recent budget bill. This supplemental funding restoration will maintain primary care services and critical support services for San Franciscans living with HIV/AIDS, including hospice, treatment adherence, case management and housing through the end of the fiscal year. Maintaining these services is critical because San Francisco’s aging population living with HIV/AIDS is creating more complex conditions due to accelerated aging co-morbidity. In addition, over half the people living with HIV/AIDS in San Francisco do not have private health insurance.

The funding restorations are from the City’s Reserve for State Budget Impacts which were previously appropriated, but were not needed.

The 6th Annual Spotlight Awards presented by the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation recognize the efforts of principals, teachers, non-profit organizations, park programs, parent associations and schools that positively impact the physical activity, fitness levels and well-being of California children. The six winning schools announced today will receive brand new fitness centers and the six Spotlight Award Gold Medalists will each be honored with checks for $10,000 to further promote physical activity and good nutrition in their communities.

“The individuals, organizations and schools we honor today are champions for youth fitness in California,” Governor Brown said. “Their tireless efforts energize our communities and ensure the state’s children grow up active, healthy and fit.”

Ruskin Elementary School (San Jose), Loma Vista Middle School (Riverside) and Hueneme High School (Oxnard) were announced as winners of the 2011 Governor’s Challenge Competition and as the Council’s Elementary, Middle and High School of the Year respectively. Walker Elementary (Santa Ana), Del Vista Elementary (Delano) and Hickman Elementary/Middle School (Hickman) were selected as the states Southern, Central and Northern Live Positively winners, respectively, due to their extraordinary efforts of promoting health and fitness during California Fitness Month in May. All six schools will receive brand new fitness activity centers. These schools were selected from more than 2,100 schools and more than 1.4 million students who engaged in physical activity 30-60 minutes a day, at least 3 days a week for 4 weeks during the previous school year.

“I’ve always said that passion leads and everything else follows, and today’s award winners have shown remarkable passion and creativity in getting California kids more active and fit,” said Jake Steinfeld, Council Chairman. “From the Mt. Shasta Fun Run and Walk in Siskiyou County to Northmont PTA in San Diego and everyone in between, each of our award winners has inspired kids to get out, get moving and have fun, and for that we’re proud to call them our California Fitness Heroes.”

Steinfeld was joined by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and Pam Kehaly, President and General Manager of Anthem Blue Cross California. Anthem Blue Cross Foundation is a founding sponsor of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and presenting sponsor of the Spotlight Awards. Over the past six years the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation has granted more than $2 million to the Council and most of that money has been passed on to schools, parks and non-profit organizations in the form of physical activity equipment and cash to promote physical activity.

“The Anthem Blue Cross Foundation is honored to be the presenting sponsor of the Spotlight Awards and founding sponsor of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports,” said Pam Kehaly, President of Anthem Blue Cross. “Since its inception six years ago, the Governor’s Fitness Challenge has grown bigger and better every year. We are thrilled to support this program to help California’s children become more active and informed about how to lead a healthy life.”

Research shows that regular physical activity during childhood and adolescence helps build healthier bones and muscles, increases self-esteem, and reduces the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

2011 Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Spotlight Awards Gold Medalists Presented by the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation

Event of the Year
Mt. Shasta Fun Run and Walk 2011
Mt. Shasta

Teacher of the Year
Kristen Holm
Lucille Smith Elementary
Lawndale

Grand Prize Winning Schools
Ruskin Elementary, San Jose
Loma Vista Middle, Riverside
Hueneme High, Oxnard

Park and Rec. Program of the Year
Watts Cluster
Los Angeles

Non-Profit of the Year
Runnin’ for Rhett
Elk Grove

Live Positively Winning Schools
Walker Elementary, Santa Ana
Del Vista Elementary, Delano
Hickman Elementary/Middle, Hickman

Parent Association of the Year
Northmont Elementary PTA
Northmont Elementary School
San Diego

Principal of the Year
Khushwinder Gill
George Kelly Elementary
Tracy

A full listing of the gold, silver and bronze medalists, plus the eleven regional award winning schools in the 2010 Governor’s Challenge Competition can be found at www.CalGovCouncil.org.

About the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
The California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting physical activity for all Californians with an emphasis on children and youth. Council members include Chairman Jake Steinfeld and Vice Chairman Peter Vidmar. Governor Jerry Brown is the Honorary Chairman and State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson is the co-Honorary Chairman.

The Governor’s Council key initiatives include the Governor’s Challenge and the Governor’s Council Spotlight Awards presented by the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation. The Governor’s Challenge encourages all Californians, especially California children and youth to be active 30-60 minutes a day at least 3 days a week for a month. Since 2005 more than 3 million students, parents and teachers from over 3,000 schools have taken the Challenge and together they have logged over 20 million days of physical activity. The Spotlight Awards honor Californians who use innovation, inspiration and initiative to promote physical activity and good nutrition. Over the past 6 years, the Council has donated more than $3 million in cash and fitness equipment to California schools, parks and other non-profit organizations to support their efforts promoting physical activity and fitness for California children. Leading sponsors of the Council are Anthem Blue Cross Foundation, CVS/pharmacy, General Mills, Kaiser Permanente and The Coca-Cola Company. For more information visit: www.CalGovCouncil.org.

“I am very pleased that my measure to protect children and infants passed the State Assembly. The science on BPA shows cause for alarm and it’s a shame that we have failed to protect our most vulnerable citizens from this toxic chemical,” said Assemblymember Betsy Butler. “Every child from every community in our state deserves access to safe products. This is a fight worth having because big chemical money should not be allowed to trump the health of babies in California.”

The bill would limit the amount of BPA allowed in baby bottles, sippy cups, infant formula and baby food. Specifically, it would prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution of the above products designed for children 3 and younger that contain more than 0.1 parts per billion (ppb) of BPA. The bill would not affect any other consumer products.

BPA is an artificial hormone that is widely used in shatter-proof plastic baby bottles, sippy cups and the lining of formula cans. It leaches out of containers and into food and has linked BPA to a host of health problems, including breast and prostate cancer, infertility, obesity, and neurological and behavioral changes, including autism and hyperactivity.

Dr. Shannon Udovic, Advocacy Co-Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics of California, said, “The Academy representing over 5,000 board-certified pediatrician members of the four regional AAP Chapters statewide, is pleased to support Assemblymember Butler’s legislation, AB 1319. This bill would establish the Toxin-Free Infants and Toddlers Act to help protect children from Bispenol-A (BPA) by restricting the use of BPA in certain baby products.”

If AB 1319 is signed into law, California will join Canada, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, Wisconsin and Washington state and several other cities and counties in the United States that, with significant bi-partisan support, have enacted bans on BPA in baby bottles and other feeding products for children.

In addition, several key federal agencies and scientific bodies have stated official concern about the safety of BPA including the National Institutes of Health (National Toxicology Program), Food and Drug Administration, US Environmental Protection Agency, and the President’s Cancer Panel.

Assemblymember Butler’s Toxin-Free Infants and Toddlers Act, AB 1319, is co-authored by Senators Ellen Corbett, Kevin De León, Mark Leno, Carol Liu, and Fran Pavley and Assemblymembers Tom Ammiano, Bob Blumenfield, Steven Bradford, Julia Brownley, Nora Campos, Mike Davis, Roger Dickinson, Mike Eng, Paul Fong, Mike Gatto, Jared Huffman, Ricardo Lara, Bonnie Lowenthal, Fiona Ma, Nancy Skinner and Das Williams.

In addition, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein has announced her support along with the American Academy of Pediatrics of California, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, California Medical Association, and the California Nurses Association. The Environmental Working Group is the sponsor of the bill.

AB 1319 is now headed to the State Senate for consideration.

“Today’s action is a major achievement in implementing health care reform in California,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “Operating the high-risk insurance plan is a win-win for our state because we can maximize federal funds while providing more affordable coverage to individuals who desperately need health insurance.”

Earlier this year, the Governor announced the state would contract with the federal government to operate a temporary health insurance program for medically uninsured individuals with preexisting medical conditions and tasked the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board (MRMIB) with implementing the new program. The Administration submitted its proposal over the summer to establish and operate the PCIP through a public-private partnership with contracted vendors, which will be overseen by MRMIB.

In order to expand affordable health coverage to uninsured Californians with pre-existing medical conditions and implement the PCIP, the Governor also recently signed legislation creating the Federal Temporary High Risk Health Insurance Fund to receive $761 million in federal funding. The PCIP will be supported solely through this federal funding and subscriber premiums. It is expected to provide health care coverage to cover up to 23,000 hard-to-insure Californians at any given time.

“Now that PCIP has opened its doors, we will be working to make sure that all Californians are aware of this valuable new coverage option,” said Kim Belshé, Chair of Governor Schwarzenegger’s Health Care Reform Implementation Task Force and Secretary of the Health and Human Services Agency. “We are dedicated to providing this more affordable option for our hard-to-insure residents.”

Coverage under the PCIP is available to Californians who have been without health coverage for at least six months and have been declined coverage from a carrier due to their pre-existing condition or have been offered coverage at a rate higher than the preferred provider premium rate of the state’s high risk pool, the Major Risk Medical Insurance Program. Californians interested in coverage under the PCIP are encouraged to visit www.pcip.ca.gov or call 1-877-428-5060 for more information.

Governor Schwarzenegger announced earlier this year that he is taking aggressive action to implement federal health care reform in California, and his Administration has been working since federal health care reform passed to implement key elements before the 2014 start date. The Governor also formed a Health Care Reform Task Force to implement key reform provisions and programs under health care reform this year, including the PCIP.

Last month the Governor took action on another major component of federal health care reform and made California the first state in the nation to enact legislation creating a health benefit exchange. The California Health Benefit Exchange will make it easier for individuals and employees of small businesses to compare plans and buy health insurance in the private market using federal tax subsidies to make health coverage more affordable.

For more information on federal health care reform and the changes that will happen in California, please visit www.healthcare.ca.gov.

“Today we are celebrating a package of legislation that moves California one giant step closer toward quality, affordable health care for all,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “Health care reform has long been a priority for my Administration, and now that the federal reform is taking effect, it’s critical that Californians have good information about the changes that are coming. This new website will help people understand how those changes will affect them.”

Making California the first state to enact legislation creating a health benefit exchange, the Governor yesterday signed AB 1602 by Assembly Speaker John Pérez (D-Los Angeles) and SB 900 by Senator Elaine Alquist (D-Santa Clara) creating the California Health Benefit Exchange, an entity that will help California consumers and small businesses shop for and buy competitive health insurance starting in 2014. The Governor also signed bills enacting other parts of health care reform:

SB 1163 by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) to provide greater transparency about premium rates charged by health plans.

SB 1088 by Senator Curren Price (D-Los Angeles) to allow individuals to remain on their parents’ plan until age 26.

AB 2244 by Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) to prohibit insurers from denying coverage to children because of a pre-existing condition.

AB 2345 by Assemblymember Hector De La Torre (D-South Gate) to require health plans to cover preventive services, like mammograms and vaccines, without co-pays or deductibles.

AB 2345 by Assemblymember Hector De La Torre (D-South Gate) to protect patients from having their coverage illegally, or unfairly rescinded.

The new website launched by the Governor today, www.Healthcare.ca.gov, is a one-stop shop where Californians can learn about health care reform implementation in the state of California. The site features information regarding the Governor’s Health Care Reform Task Force and priorities for implementation, timelines for the major changes contained in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and resources to help Californians with their health coverage options. It also provides an overview of health reform in California, which is being carried out by a broad range of state agencies and departments under the guidance of the Governor’s Health Care Reform Task Force.

“California’s health care system is complex, and it will take the resources, talent and collaborative efforts of state officials, providers, community leaders and others to make sure the new federal law succeeds in our state,” said California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Kim Belshé, who chairs the Governor’s Health Care Reform Task Force. “We invite Californians to visit the site and learn more about the work that is being done and the new laws and programs that can help them get affordable, quality care.”

Secretary Belshé added the website will include more features as more information becomes available in the months and years ahead. “Our hope is that the website can be constantly improved to respond to the needs and challenges associated with implementing this sweeping reform,” she said.

Technical design and support for the website was provided by the Office of the Chief Information Officer.

“We were pleased to have been able to help build the site on the state of California’s new award-winning design for state websites,” said Chief Information Officer Terri Takai. “This is a dynamic site that will continue to grow and offer cutting-edge features for Californians in the years ahead.”

The Governor announced earlier this year that he is taking aggressive action to implement federal health care reform in California, including helping develop the structure for an Exchange to foster competition and make insurance affordable. The Governor formed a task force to implement key reform provisions and programs under health care reform this year, including the Exchange.

Since federal health care reform passed, the Governor and his Administration have been working to implement key elements in California before the 2014 start date. In April, the Governor announced the state will contract with the federal government to operate a temporary health insurance program for medically uninsured individuals with preexisting medical conditions. In July, the Governor’s Administration submitted the state’s proposal to the federal government to establish and operate the federal Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan through a public-private partnership with contracted vendors, which will be overseen by the California Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board. To implement this program and expand affordable health coverage to uninsured Californians with pre-existing medical conditions, the Governor also recently signed legislation creating the Federal Temporary High Risk Health Insurance Fund to receive $761 million in federal funding: SB 227 by Senator Elaine Alquist (D-San Jose) and AB 1887 by Assemblymember Mike Villines (R-Clovis).

Every year 10,000 patients with disease like leukemia, lymphoma and sickle cell anemia need a marrow transplant but have no donor match in their family. They depend on Be The Match(R) to help them find a potential marrow donor and receive the transplant they need. For many, a marrow transplant is their best or only hope for a cure.

Every step participants take helps patients receive the marrow transplant they need, when they need it. Be The One Run, Long Beach raises funds to add more members to Be The Match Registry, increasing the chances that more patients will find a match.

Register today for the Be The One Run or support a runner or walker with a contribution. Visit BeTheOneRun.org to register, fundraise or to volunteer during the event.

About Be The Match
Be The Match is a movement that engages a growing community of people inspired to help patients who need a marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant from an unrelated donor. The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), a leader in the field of marrow and cord blood transplantation, created Be The Match to provide opportunities for the public to become involved in saving the lives of people with leukemia, lymphoma and other life-threatening diseases. Volunteers can join the Be The Match Registry – the world’s largest and most diverse listing of potential marrow donors and donated cord blood units – as well as contribute financially to Be The Match Foundation or give their time.

For more information, visit BeTheMatch.org or call 1 (800) MARROW-2.

“California is always leading the way with the most innovative and new technology that is changing the future. And, what we are launching today is a new era for health care,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “Through a simple broadband link, this state-of-the-art system will save lives by instantly connecting people from across the state, including underserved and rural areas, with the best and brightest doctors. The California Telehealth Network marks the beginning of a new digital highway that will fundamentally change the future of how health care is provided.”

The CTN state-of-the-art system will connect telehealth devices in medical facilities from all corners of the state. Today, the CTN is launching its first two remote sites at the Oroville Hospital in Oroville and CommuniCare Health Center in West Sacramento. This phase of the CTN will connect over 800 sites within three years. As the CTN will help to expand health care access, it will also provide significant security and performance improvements over existing telehealth networks, including the ability for time-sensitive or emergency transmissions to receive top priority.

The Governor participated in a demonstration of the telehealth network today linking the UC Davis Cancer Center in Sacramento with medical personnel in three other California locations: the Oroville Hospital in Oroville; UC Irvine Hospital in Irvine; CommuniCare Health Center in West Sacramento.

CTN is a public and private, federal and state partnership which can be used as a model across the nation as other networks are funded and established. The network leveraged both private and public funding for a total of $30 million, including grants from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the California Emerging Technology Fund, the California HealthCare Foundation, UnitedHealthcare, the National Coalition for Healthcare Integration, the University of California and other private and public entities.

Since taking Office, Governor Schwarzenegger has worked to expand California’s telemedicine and broadband infrastructure. Specifically, the Governor’s actions include:
•Creating the Broadband Taskforce in 2006 and tasking them with mapping broadband availability and speed across the state. California is the largest state to map broadband availability and the first to map speed. The Task Force also discussed the need to ensure that the state had broadband capability to support the exchange of health care information. One of their recommendations was to create a statewide eHealth network like the CTN.
•Championing Proposition 1D in 2006, which included $200 million to build telemedicine capacity throughout the state. Using these funds, UC Davis recently broke ground on a new 52,000 square foot facility specifically designed to educate future generations of health care providers to integrate eHealth and telehealth into their clinical practice. The funds have also been used to purchase telehealth equipment for UC and community sites that will be connected through CTN.
•Spearheading the request for a $22.1 million grant from the FCC that was received in 2007 to promote telehealth in California. This large grant helped fund the CTN.
•Appointing a deputy secretary for Health IT at the Health and Human Services Agency earlier this year. Deputy Secretary Jonah Frolich is helping lead state efforts to achieve statewide electronic health data exchange and the adoption of health information technologies.
For more information about the CTN please visit: www.caltelehealth.org/.

“The need for this federal funding is critical to California. This is also a simple matter of fairness. For too long, California taxpayers have been shortchanged by the federal government in several programs, including our Medicaid matching rate, and this funding is a good down payment on what we are owed. I applaud the House for quickly passing this important legislation.”

The U.S. Senate passed the extension last week. The bill will provide $1.28 billion to California for the 6-month extension of enhanced FMAP rates. The President’s budget originally included a full 6-month extension of FMAP, which was estimated to bring approximately $1.8 billion for California, and the Governor and his Administration will continue to work with Congress to obtain additional funding.