sacramento.jpgNot alone in the fight to defeat Med-Cal cuts that would seriously damage Lone Pine’s Skilled Nursing Facility, Southern Inyo Hospital Administrator Lee Barron says the California Hospital Association has made fighting the cuts their top priority.

In an update on strategies to save the local Skilled Nursing Facility as well as Southern Inyo Hospital itself, Ms. Barron said that the California Hospital Association continues to challenge the cuts with litigation, legislation and pressure on the Department of Health Care Services.

Barron pointed to a new bill, Assembly Bill 900 from Assemblyman Luis Alejo, sponsored by the Hospital Association. This bill would rescind cuts to Medi-Cal reimbursement rates. Barron said this bill will be a major focus on the Hospital Association’s upcoming legislative days on March 12 and 13. Barron will be there in Sacramento.

Barron said the Hospital Association will also develop a public relations campaign, including videos that show the real-life impacts of cutting funds to the nursing facilities.

Barron underscored that when she visited Senator Jean Fuller’s office last week, her aides knew exactly who Barron was because of the many letters from Lone Pine. Barron said, “This is exactly what we need!”

Letters of support are still needed. Check out the last story we posted on our website for addresses and emails.

Barron said, “I do feel confident that together we can stop the cuts.” Barron will go to Sacramento again next week to work with others on this critical issue.

Discover more from Sierra Wave: Eastern Sierra News

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading