California Department of Public Health Archives

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- In an effort to protect the right to body autonomy, California Health Coalition Advocacy (CHCA) has drafted legislation that would protect the right to refuse a long list of medical and non-medical interventions issued by the California Department of Public Health and Governor Newsom.

The organization points out that in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an onslaught of Governor's orders as well as an unusually high number of intrusive County Health Department ordinances. The breadth of powers granted, especially to unelected officials in county health offices, has surprised legislators and county supervisors.

Local Health Officers, who are not elected by their county constituents, have taken broad control of the response to this pandemic and created ordinances that come dangerously close to, if not outright, violating the right of Californians to decide how they manage their personal health choices.

"The right to refuse is based on fundamental constitutional principles. The sovereign nature of people necessitates that they be free and independent in all aspects of their life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness without interference from governmental power structures, and these inalienable rights need perpetual protection," said Diane Miller, who drafted the bill's language and who is also an attorney and Legal and Public Policy Director of National Health Freedom Coalition. This bill would ensure that the right to refuse stays intact.

CHCA's "Personal Rights During Infectious Outbreak and State of Emergency" bill would add Section 120137 to the health and safety code. Its main accomplishment would be to establish the right to refuse requirements and restrictions recently experienced by Californians.

The bill language stipulates the following: "... individuals retain the right to be free and independent and maintain their inalienable and fundamental rights including but not limited to the right to refuse the following activities whether for direct response or prevention: medical treatments or procedures; testing; physical or mental examination; vaccination; experimental procedures and protocols; collection of specimens; participation in tracking or tracing programs; the wearing of masks; the maintaining of measured distance from other humans and animals that is not otherwise unlawful; and the involuntary sharing of personal data or medical information."

"The power of California's Public Health Department has increased unchecked since the mid-90s. With the pandemic, the extent to which the local health officer can restrict the civil liberties of individuals has become apparent," stated Valerie Noble, president of CHCA. "They have the authority to take possession of a living body, destroy property and pets, and take any action they deem necessary, whether or not those actions are evidence-based. Furthermore, a person who refuses to comply with an order is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by fines and imprisonment. It is of utmost urgency that the rights of individuals during disease outbreaks are defined and protected."

California Health Coalition Advocacy is actively seeking a legislator to author their urgency bill.

About California Health Coalition Advocacy:

California Health Coalition Advocacy is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization that initiates and influences laws and policies to expand, protect, and promote the health and well-being of Californians. This includes the right to access, consent to, and refuse products, services, treatments, information, education, exposures, and environments.

Learn more: https://californiahealthcoalitionadvocacy.org/

In an effort to protect the right to body autonomy, California Health Coalition Advocacy (CHCA) has drafted legislation that would protect the right to refuse a long list of medical and non-medical interventions issued by the California Department of Public Health and Governor Newsom.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is considered an essential service. WIC staff in California are serving families during the COVID-19 pandemic, including families who never before received benefits, but are now in need of assistance.

Following Governor Newsom's Executive Order on March 30, the California Department of Public Health WIC Program has been implementing emergency protocols to provide benefits and expand the approved WIC food list to best serve families while protecting the health and safety of WIC participants and staff.

WIC provides support to low-income families with children under the age of 5 with nutritious foods for pregnant or breastfeeding parents, infants, and children, as well as nutrition education, breastfeeding support and breast pumps. Nearly one million women, infants and children are served each month in California, through 83 WIC local agencies with over 500 clinic locations. Nearly 4,000 grocers are authorized to provide WIC foods.

California recently completed transitioning from paper checks to a WIC debit card for WIC food purchases. This historic improvement makes shopping and participating in WIC easier, especially important during a crisis.

All 83 WIC local agencies are providing services to current and new participants. Clinics may be closed to the public, but staff are providing services by phone, text, email, and video conference and some see select participants in person. Families are provided WIC cards and breast pumps using creative methods such as drive-through pick-ups, receiving cards slid under the door from WIC staff, using drop boxes at WIC clinics and by mail or expedited shipment. WIC card benefits can be loaded remotely, reducing the need for families to visit WIC local agencies.

Because many WIC shoppers reported they were unable to find WIC foods such as eggs, bread, and milk, WIC expanded the food list with hundreds of new foods available now through May 31. WIC staff can assist with information on the expanded foods, and the WIC app can scan bar codes to identify foods on the expanded list.

Information on the food list and WIC app is also online: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CFH/DWICSN/Pages/TemporaryAPLExpansion.aspx

Families should not hesitate to call their WIC local agency for information on enrolling or continuing WIC services. Check online for WIC eligibility and locate the closest WIC office here: https://myfamily.wic.ca.gov/

"The California WIC Program is doing an outstanding job serving families during this crisis and will continue this critical support as families recover from this economic downturn," said Karen Farley, Executive Director, California WIC Association.

California WIC Association (CWA) is a non-profit organization formed in 1992 by directors of WIC local agencies administering the WIC program.

MEDIA CONTACT
California WIC Association
Sarah Diaz
(530) 276-1388
sdiaz@calwic.org

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0423s2p-wic-glenn-county-300dpi.jpg
*Photo caption: WIC staff at Glenn County practice social distancing and wear masks while serving WIC families.

*LOGO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0423s2p-cawic-logo-300dpi.jpg

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is considered an essential service. WIC staff in California are serving families during the COVID-19 pandemic, including families who never before received benefits, but are now in need of assistance.

Related link: https://www.calwic.org/

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Tag Archives: California Department of Public Health

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