The plan to charge low-income Medi-Cal patients and allow doctors to refuse care for nonpayment was unprecedented for a state on such a wide scale. The charges ranged from $3 for “preferred” drug prescriptions to $5 for doctor visits and a maximum $200 on hospital visits. Medi-Cal serves about 8 million Californians, though patients also eligible for Medicare were exempt from the copays.

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If adopted by the state legislature, this proposal would save the state $164 million, but would come at the cost of a severe deterioration of the quality of life for seniors and disabled individuals currently receiving assistance from the program, according to critics of the plan.

Such a move would affect 60 percent of IHSS recipients, as most live with other family members who provide them care.

The study was published in the current online issue of Child Development.

That baby went on to have six children, one of whom contacted her long-lost grandmother, leading to the reunion.

The article profiles seniors in gold country in particular, who moved from busy cities like San Francisco and San Jose to these remote towns in which to retire for their “golden years.” Those golden years, according to the article, have “lost their luster,” as many who once contributed to food banks now stand in line to receive food.

The law, proposed by state senator Alex Padilla of Los Angeles and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, provides legal backing for a step that many landlords in California had already taken through lease agreement language.

The law, however, provides legal support that will rule out any challenges to banning of smoking in apartment units and other forms of multi-family housing. The legislation was supported by groups such as Aging Services of California, the American Diabetes Association and the California Medical Association.

The study is outlined in a recent U.S. News and World Report article, showing that there is a very large gap between what elderly patients want and what they are getting when it comes to preparation for the end of life.

A recent article in the Danville Patch highlights the program, which allows seniors to play a role in protecting the public.

For more information about the CHP’s Senior Volunteer Program, call (925) 899-2779.

The Pro Publica article cites that only 2% of all senior deaths in 2008 were followed by a post-mortem examination. That is compared with post-mortem exams for nearly 60% of those in the age range of 15-34 that year.