This week's excellent article on the front page of the Portola Reporter, looks at the big picture in the long-term care crisis, brought to the fore by the state of California's cuts to hospital connected (Distinct Part) skilled nursing facilities. The newspaper's managing editor, Delaine Fragnoli, asks and answers all the right questions. She also infuses the article with heart and soul, using Eastern Plumas Health Care's skilled nursing patients as an example of what will happen if these cuts go into effect. This is a nation wide crisis that has hit Eastern Plumas and Sierra counties especially hard. The...

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Many members of our community have expressed outrage at the state cuts that are causing a $1.1 million per year loss in revenue to Eastern Plumas Health Care's skilled nursing facilities. EPHC is struggling to maintain all of its services while making sure that the hospital as a whole stays solvent. Those of you who would still like to write letters to lawmakers telling them why you think what the state of CA cuts to our skilled nursing residents is wrong, can send your letters to elected officials, either by regular mail or via email. If you need further assistance...

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The Eastern Plumas Health Care Board of Directors and several staff members will be holding their annual Indian Valley meeting on Wednesday Nov.16 at 10:30 am. at the Community Center across from the Sunrise. They will be sharing information about EPHC and also would appreciate input from our community about their Indian Valley Medical Clinic. For more information, call: 530.832.6564.

See the full article by Managing Editor, Delaine Fragnoli, on Feather Publishing's website: www.plumasnews.com It details: devastating state cuts to EPHC's skilled nursing facilities; our prominent role in the California Hospital Association case against the state Dept. of Health and federal Health and Human Services (including four of our patients who will serve as plaintiffs for the restraining order against the state); steps we are taking to cut costs and save our skilled nursing facilities and other services; area demographics; and more.

Eastern Plumas Health Care was informed Thursday night, Oct. 27, that the Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) was approving California State Plan Amendment 11-010 which allows them to cut MediCal payments to its hospital skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) by 10% of 2008 rates (in effect, a 23% cut). In addition, the cuts will be retroactive, causing EPHC to have to underwrite care it has already given back to June 1. Since a staggering 93% of its SNF patients are on MediCal, this amounts to a $1.1 million hit per year—an unsustainable reduction in revenue to a fragile hospital system...

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Approximately 100 people from Plumas and Sierra Counties showed up at EPHC’s Portola Education Center for a town hall meeting with Rocky Deal, Rep. Tom McClintock’s aide and Nadine Bailey, aide to Dan Logue. At risk are 58 residents of our two Skilled Nursing Facilities (one in Loyalton, one in Portola), as the state has passed an amendment that would roll back Medicare/Medical rates for the SNF’s 23%. This would amount to a $1.1 million hit to EPHC, and it would force closure of these facilities. Residents, friends, and families were on hand to ask pointed questions and to suggest...

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EPHC's October digital mammo screening continues throughout the month. For only $80, patients can call 530.832.6516 and schedule their screening utilizing our new state of the art digital mammography equipment. Offering higher quality, rapid results, more comfort, and less radiation, now there's no excuse! Call to schedule your digital mammogram today. Appointments are nearly full for October, but if you call this month, you'll get the special rate for your November appointment!

EPHC staff members attended a flag ceremony in honor of Pauline Coe Erwin, on Monday, Oct. 17. Evie Smith donated the new flag in memory of her friend and co-worker, Pauline, who died last Dec. 26th of cancer. The flag was raised in front of EPHC’s Portola hospital. Staff members observed a moment of silence for Pauline. Her husband Ken was on hand for the ceremony. Ken recalls that she most enjoyed “doing something for somebody else.” Added, Evie, “She was just a beautiful person.”

Eastern Plumas Health Care’s “Secrets to Healthy Living” community health education series holds its 2011 Grand Finale Thursday, Oct. 20, 6:00 p.m. at their Portola Campus Education Center. The evening’s topic, “The Latest Health Tips!” will bring together a panel of family doctors, specialists, and family nurse practitioners to answer audience health questions and concerns. The latest developments within specific topic areas to be addressed include: Osteoporosis, with John Evans, FNP; Adult Immunizations, with Dr. Grady Fort; and, Women’s Health Screenings, with Christina Potter, FNP. Other EPHC health care providers will be on hand to answer questions across a broad...

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by Melanie Buckley PA-C As a practicing Physician Assistant (PA) specializing in dermatology, I educate patients every day on how to achieve and maintain the healthiest skin possible, both medically and cosmetically. Here are my top 10 tips for healthy skin: Wear sunscreen daily The most important and simplest key to protecting yourself from skin cancer and aging of the skin is to wear sunscreen every day of the year. Put it on each morning. It should be as fundamental as brushing your teeth. Even on cloudy dark days, we are exposed to ultra violet radiation (UVR) coming through the windows of our offices, homes, and cars. Incidental damage...

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