Health

The following health inspections are from the period of March 29-April 1:* Bella Fiore Wines Restaurant, 224 S. Carson #8, scored 96 points. No chlorine sanitizer was detected on dishware after mec...

Editor's Note: This column appears in the - Wednesday health pages. It addresses topics related to the health of our community.The trees are blooming and spring is slowly taking winter's place in o...

Arthur Chelton (Shelly) LeonardMarch 11, 1923 - April 5, 2011Chelton Leonard, after battling numerous health issues, passed away peacefully at his home in Carson City surrounded by his family. H...

By the Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City District-Sierra Front Field Office, has prepared the Winters Ranch Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (EA). 

The EA analyzes the potential effects to the human environment associated with the Plan, which would set management guidance for approximately 991 acres of BLM managed lands in Washoe County, Nevada.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Advocates for a tax hike on cigarettes and liquor made their case in the Nevada Legislature today, both to raise revenue and improve public health.
The proposal received a mixed reaction from lawmakers, and some lobbyist opposition, however, because of the negative consequences on business.

CARSON CITY – Advocates for a tax hike on cigarettes and liquor made their case in the Nevada Legislature today, both to raise revenue and improve public health.
The proposal received a mixed reaction from lawmakers, and some lobbyist opposition, however, because of the negative consequences on business.

RENO, Nev. — An additional round of budget reduction proposals totaling $13.8 million was announced at the University of Nevada, Reno today.

Today’s announcement follows the University’s March 2011 announcement of $26 million in proposed budget reductions, according to a news release issued by UNR officials. When combined, the proposals represent a reduction of $39.8 million and the elimination of 318 positions. A total of 1,600 students are directly impacted by the proposed academic program reductions.

By Sean Whaley/Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – A bill to create a website where Nevadans could learn how to protect themselves from consumer fraud was received favorably today by an Assembly committee.

CARSON CITY – A bill to create a website where Nevadans could learn how to protect themselves from consumer fraud was received favorably today by an Assembly committee.

Nevada's minimum wage and daily overtime requirements that will take affect this summer will go unchanged from last year, according to bulletins released today by Labor Commissioner Michael Tanchek.

Again, effective July 1, rates will remain $7.25 per hour for employees whom qualifying health benefits have been made available to them by the employer; and $8.25 per hour for all other employees.

CARSON CITY – A coalition of health care groups, government agencies and political leaders were raising awareness today of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) as part of Diabetes Awareness Day in Nevada.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – A coalition of health care groups, government agencies and political leaders were raising awareness today of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) as part of Diabetes Awareness Day in Nevada.

(Press Release) College campuses in Carson City and Las Vegas will host Nevada's portion of a national unity rally on Monday, April 4, the 43rd anniversary that marks the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The northern Nevada event begins at 4:30 p.m. at Rotary Plaza on the campus of Western Nevada College in Carson City.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Tax revenues, or more specifically the lack thereof, have been topic No. 1 during the 2011 legislative session.
Thus far it’s been mostly talk, with GOP Gov. Brian Sandoval saying no to any new taxes or fees and some Democrat lawmakers saying additional revenues are essential to preserve education and critical social services. Republican lawmakers thus far are standing with the governor.

(Press Release) RENO, NV — Janiga MDs recently unveiled the practice’s state-of-the-art plastic surgery and dermatology care center offices. Even to the unskilled eye the initial glance reveals the breadth of planning and patient consideration that the practice has invested in the new facility.

CARSON CITY – Despite citing the need to reform Nevada’s public employee pension plan, Gov. Brian Sandoval did not introduce a bill seeking changes to the retirement system by a deadline Monday.
Even so, Heidi Gansert, Sandoval’s chief of staff, said the administration will “be a part of the conversation” as other measures addressing potential reforms to the Public Employees’ Retirement System are considered in the 2011 legislative session.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – A two-hour review by the full Senate today of Gov. Brian Sandoval’s proposed two-year, $5.8 billion general fund budget spent a lot of time on what his spending plan could mean well into the future.

SILVER SPRINGS, NEV — The Silver Stage Task Force is organizing its annual Wellness Fair featuring free health services, samples, and live entertainment for May 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This big rural fair is designed to help residents shop around for the best information on health and wellness with over 40 booths.
The completely free community event is open to everyone, and promotes the full spectrum of wellness, from good nutrition, gardening, and fitness to preventative health care and treatment to volunteer, arts and educational opportunities.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Gov. Brian Sandoval said emphatically today he will veto a bill passed by Democrats in the Legislature that would allow school districts to use up to $300 million in bond reserve funds to rehabilitate older schools.
He also expressed confidence that $60 million in general fund Medicaid rate reductions included in his budget are legally defensible and can be implemented despite a legal opinion to the contrary.

CARSON CITY – Nevada Health and Human Services Director Mike Willden said today he believes the state can reduce Medicaid rates to medical providers as proposed in Gov. Brian Sandoval’s budget, but acknowledges the issue is “muddy territory.”
Willden’s view suggests the Medicaid reductions can be imposed without the state being subjected to successful legal challenges based on a recent appeals court ruling.

Press Release — It only takes a moment for an injury to happen – a fall, a quick look at the cell phone while driving, a medication mix-up, leaving a child to answer the phone. But it only takes a moment to protect against injuries and make our community a safer place.

The Nevada Public Health Association, a partnership of local public health professionals, along with other community and University groups, is hosting a series of free events for National Public Health Week, April 4-10, in the theme, “Safety is no Accident: Live Injury-Free.”

CARSON CITY – A legal analysis provided to the skilled nursing home industry regarding a proposed Medicaid rate reduction to cover the cost of caring for Nevada’s seniors says the cuts would be a violation of federal law.
The analysis says the proposed reductions of $20 per Medicaid resident per day are being proposed in Gov. Brian Sandoval’s budget, “purely as a means to alleviate the budgetary crisis.”

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – An analysis of a cut in Medicaid payments to skilled nursing facilities proposed by Gov. Brian Sandoval paints a sobering picture for the industry and its future in Nevada.

By the Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management-Nevada (BLM) announces the spring meeting of the Sierra Front-Northwestern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council (RAC), which will meet on Wednesday, March 30, 2011, 8:00 a.m., at the BLM-Carson City District Office (CCDO), 5665 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, Nev.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Representatives of Nevada’s skilled nursing home industry say up to five facilities could close and 700 beds lost if a proposal in Gov. Brian Sandoval’s budget to cut the Medicaid reimbursement rate by $20 a day per patient comes to pass.
The closures would result in well-paid medical professionals being laid off and joining the ranks of Nevada’s already sizable population of unemployed, industry officials say.

(Press Release) LAKE TAHOE — From spandex to black tie — set your sights on some of the world’s top cyclists for an elegant evening celebrating the overall start of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California, the largest cycling event in North America. Wine, dine and mingle during the Opening Gala and Official Team Introduction, Friday, May 13 at MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa’s Theater in South Lake Tahoe.

The 2011 Amgen Tour of California will feature 19 elite teams, including:

CARSON CITY – Assembly Speaker John Oceguera testified today in support of a bill that would expand health insurance transparency for consumers so they can shop for the best coverage.
Assembly Bill 309, reviewed by the Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee, is opposed by many companies offering health insurance in Nevada. Only one insurance representative testified against the bill at the hearing, however.

By Thomas G. Chase
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a repeal of Health Reform. Additionally, they passed budget cuts of $1.3 billion to existing funding for Community Health Centers (CHC’s).

Over the last 45 years, CHC’s have grown to provide primary care access to 20 million Americans. Study after study has shown that primary care in a CHC is less expensive and provides more reliable health outcomes than any other alternative for those with access challenges. Who is speaking for the needs of these patients?

Courtesy of www.GrandViewOutdoors.com
On a July evening a few years ago, a massive bull moose wallowed belly-deep in a small stream in the canoe country north of Ely. Facing the other direction, he had no idea a canoe was silently slipping up behind him. He kept dipping for the stems of water lilies and chewing them in the rich evening light.

We approached so closely that the 17-year-old in the bow of the canoe began backpaddling. He looked over his shoulder and shot me a silent glance that told me we were too close to that moose.
He probably was right.

News Release — The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Nevada Department of Public Safety — Division of Emergency Management (DPS-DEM) are collectively working to address the public’s concerns surrounding the potential impact to the State of Nevada and the rest of the United States from the Japanese nuclear reactor crisis.

Eric Matus, Radiation Physicist for the Nevada State Health Division, has compiled an overview of information addressing the concerns and speculation that continue to linger.