SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Assemblymembers Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) and Monique Limón (D- Santa Barbara) introduced Assembly Bill 2047 and Assembly Bill 2048, flanked on the floor of the State Assembly by advocates from the Alzheimer’s Association. These two companion bills would promote greater awareness and earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and dementia. The bills provide seniors, providers, and caregivers with the tools they need to recognize and plan for an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and lay the groundwork for treatment strategies later in the life of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.

Alzheimer’s disease is a growing public health crisis. It is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease, which results in memory loss, impaired cognitive function, and ultimately death. The over-65 population in California is projected to grow to 8.6 million by 2030, and though Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of growing old, aging is the greatest known risk factor for developing the disease. According to the California Department of Public Health, deaths in California due to Alzheimer’s disease increased 243% from 2000 to 2015, and in 2015 Alzheimer’s was the third leading cause of death.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Chairs of the California Assembly and Senate Select Committees on Wine will hold a joint informational hearing Oct. 31 in Lodi, California

Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters), Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa), and Senator Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg), chairs the respective select committees, will lead two panel discussions. The first topic of discussion will provide an overview of Central Valley grape production. The second panel will talk about wine fermentation emissions and related air quality rules under consideration. Panelists will include local business, tourism, and wine industry representatives. 

SACRAMENTO, CA – In his last day to act on legislation from the 2019 Session, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 744 by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters). AB 744 is landmark legislation that requires true telehealth parity in coverage and reimbursement in California. This means that health plans must provide reimbursement to healthcare providers for performing covered services, regardless of whether the care is provided in-person or through telehealth.

“California, the technology leader in our nation and the world, should also lead on access to health services.  Telehealth overcomes barriers to healthcare access by using technology to connect patients to their doctors, no matter where they live, what the demands of their jobs are, or what mobility challenges they may have,” said Aguiar-Curry. “By taking advantage of technological innovations in the healthcare industry, we can use our doctors’ time and expertise more efficiently while expanding access to all types of care for Californians.”