Subject: (USA, CA) California AB 590

From: "David B. O'Donnell" <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 12 May 1995 15:55:56 -0400

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Following is this month's sample letter on aids issue.  It is for
California recidents; to send to their State Assembly member.

                                                               May 12, 1995

The Hon.
The California State Legislature
Sacramento, CA 95814
 
Dear Assembly Member
 
I am writing to urge you to support A. B. 590 (Knox) which may come before
you soon on the Assembly floor. This bill requires Medi-Cal to cover bottled
water and certain filters as benefits upon findings of Cryptosporidium in
treated water.
 
Cryptosporidium is a parasite which causes severe intestinal illness that can
lead to death when it infects people with compromised immune systems, such as
those living with AIDS, or cancer patients on chemotherapy. In Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, an estimated 400,000 people became ill and 100 people living with
AIDS died after exposure to Cryptosporidium in 1993. Once infected, there are
no treatments to remove the parasite from the body. The Los Angeles
Department of Water and Power recently advised the immunocompromised to boil
all tap water before drinking. However, the process of boiling water could be
impossible for those who are bed ridden and dangerous for people who are
frail.
 
A.B. 590 will only take affect after a water department has determined that
all tap water should be boiled prior to drinking due to a health risk
associated with Cryptosporidium. Thus it is a preventative measure. If
implemented, it is estimated that it would cost $10 per month, per person.
This cost is minimal when compared to the potential long term costs to
Medi-Cal from hospitalization, medication and home health care that might
otherwise become necessary.
 
Thank you for considering this issue. I strongly urge you to vote "aye" on
A.B. 590 when it comes to you for a vote on the floor of the Assembly.
 
Very truly yours,