September 2021
Lawmakers Tackle Vaccine Mandate
With two weeks left in the legislative year, legislators are still wrangling with some complex issues, including a proposed mandate that attendees and employees at certain events, venues and workplaces receive COVID-19 vaccinations. Co-authored by physician legislators Sen. Richard Pan, MD (D-Sacramento) and Akilah Weber, MD, (D-San Diego), the mandate would apply to all government employees, anyone who enters lodging, restaurants, theaters, stadiums and similar establishments, with exceptions for children and those unable to safely receive the vaccine.  
The Advocacy Voice for
California Pediatricians
AAP CA Priority Issues at the State Capital
Youth Health Information Act
Chaptered: Requires Dept of Education to post information related to the safe return of pupils based on current guidelines issued by the AAP.

Whole Child Model Program
Chaptered: Removes labor organizations from the stakeholder advisory
group. Instead includes representatives of CA Children Services county providers.
TK Funding for All 4-years of Age
Held Over: Extends universal access to full-day TK programs statewide at no cost to families. Addresses early academic development of California’s youngest learners.
Richard Pan, MD Receives Prestigious AAP Advocacy Award
California State Senator, Richard Pan, MD, FAAP, has been selected as the recipient of the 2021 AAP Child Health Advocate Award. The award is given annually by the AAP to a state or local advocate(s) or government official(s) for outstanding contributions to children’s health and well-being. 

"Dr. Pan has worked and advocated for children and pediatricians tirelessly and effectively," states Dr. Nelson Branco, President of the AAP CA Chapter 1. "We all benefit from his efforts to make California a leader in child health, and know he is there to fight with us on behalf of children, pediatricians and our communities. We are thrilled his efforts are being recognized by the AAP." Dr. Pan is a member of AAP CA Chapter 1.
Health Advisory: Off-Season Infections
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants and a cause of severe disease in adults older than age 65 years. Although RSV typically circulates during the winter, RSV infections have been increasing this summer throughout the United States.
Should School Districts Require TK?
Policies in the new state budget would gradually make transitional kindergarten open to all 4-year-olds in the state, but that may not ensure that basic aid districts offer the program, since it will not change the way these districts are funded. 
California's New Health Info Exchange
California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly announced the members today of a Stakeholder Advisory Group that will partner with CHHS and the state’s new Center for Data Insights and Innovation to develop the state’s first-ever California Health and Human Services Data Exchange Framework — a single data sharing agreement.
CMA Files for Universal Masks
The California Medical Association (CMA) recommends and advocates for universal masks (subject to limited exemptions) and face coverings for the reopening and returning to schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. A declaration has been filed with the US District Court Central District of CA.
Contact: Karmi Ferguson, MBA
Executive Director
Email: karmi.ferguson@aap-ca.org
Voice Message: (626) 796-1632