Evidently due to budget cuts, in the last few weeks, many disabled patients on Medi-Cal through Anthem Blue Cross have gone in to their pharmacies to refill their prescriptions for Cymbalta and other medications, only to be told, as I was, "I'm sorry, that is no longer covered under your insurance program." "Oh," I said, "so, we have to do a T.A.R. for that now?" "No," she replied, "they don't do those anymore. They just don't cover it." Then she shrugged, and looked at me like she'd just informed me they'd quit carrying Dentyne. This is what happened to me. I am 52, on Disability (which is monetarily only around $700 a month, but is supposed to pay all my medical expenses, and fails to do so) for Severe Chronic Migraines and Bipolar Depression. I have other serious medical conditions as well, but the two most important medications in fighting the issues for which I was actually put on disability *for*, Migranal (migraines) and Cymbalta (depression) both of which are unique formulations, are no longer covered under Anthem's new drug formulary. The problem is that Cymbalta is a drug you cannot simply stop cold. It MUST be stepped down from slowly, and ALL physicians know this. However, NO ONE from the State or from Anthem thought to give ANY physicians, psychiatrists, or PATIENTS advanced warning that they would be cutting them off of their LIFELINE medication. So most, if not all, will find out, at the time they *run out* of their current prescription that it is no longer covered, and will be caught *without* a safety net of another drug that works for them that they would have already been able to transition into SAFELY - had they at least been given the courtesy of a forewarning. Or, they will, like me, just be out of luck entirely, because nothing else works and/or there are contraindications to all the other drugs for their condition. Because of the thoughtless disregard of the State of California, and the NEGLIGENCE of ANTHEM BLUE CROSS, we can expect to see a *rash of suicides*, as people who are least able to cope with the emotional and physical blow of such disregard, as well as the uninformed and forced withdrawal from the only medication that works for them, are left with no option but to leave their pharmacy empty-handed, in shock. The truth is, this looks suspiciously like the state is in collusion with Anthem in attempting to reduce it's rolls of "undesirables" by nudging along quite a few suicides. I am attempting NOT to be among them.

Even though the news has captioning available, to be more accessible for the deaf who use sign language, an ASL interpreter could be shown in the bottom corner of the broadcasts. I first saw this (on the tv at the gym) while watching a news broadcast being aired in Puerto Rico. This would provide a more equal access to the news for those with American Sign Language as their primary language!

Although there is legislation pending to forbid employment agencies or employer from listing qualifications that include "currently employed" as a criteria for hiring, unemployment status is still an unprotected class under employment discrimination laws. Furthermore, employers are not required to disclose the reasons why a job applicant may be disqualified or rejected from consideration beyond the standardized form letter that usually states, "other applicants more qualified", "more closely fit our needs", "we were impressed by your work experience, however..." , in addition they do not provide results of pre-assessment or pre-questionnaires taken in the process of applying for employment, and many times lack a contact name, phone number or reply e-mail address to a recruiter or staff dept. if an applicant wishes to inquire or challenge the disqualification or rejection notification. We need legislators to force employers to provide these reasons in order for potential employees to have an opportunity to have knowledge on how they may need to improve themselves for the next opportunity and for employers to be more considerate of the time consumed by the applicant, and adopt a fairness policy applicable to the selection process. This mandate will help relieve the suspicion that an applicant is not being considered due to age, gender, race , disability ,etc. and/or other employment discrimination. If an employer doesn't agree to provide this information then they should be subject to punitive laws that are applicable to employment discrimination. Too many unemployed people are not getting a fair shake or reason and it's time they did.

Billions of tax dollars are spent on farm subsidies every year. While these subsidies may originally have helped small farmers, they are now helping huge factory farms and big business to poison the American population with toxic food like corn fed beef, polyunsaturated vegetable oils, high fructose corn syrup and corn, soy and wheat fillers. The economic and health consequences of this are huge. If we took the current funding for farm subsidies and re-directed this to subsidizing organic farming instead, this would help the environment and economy by supporting small, sustainable farming practices, and improve our national health by providing affordable access to healthy food to American families.

HB 4770 would prohibit providing health insurance benefits to same-sex partners of public employees and would take away health insurance coverage from LGBT families throughout the state. It's discriminatory and it's unconstitutional.

Reform of Nursing Home Laws to benefit the residents of Nursing Homes.

I am appalled with the Estes Valley Recreational District's decision to construct a trail alongside the beaver ponds on Fish Creek Road. In particular, beginning construction of the trail at a time that will potentially be responsible for the death of the entire beaver colony. Do they not care? Silly question! Of course they don't. Otherwise, they would have heeded input from experts at the November 15th Public Meeting and delayed construction until next spring. If you care anything about our wild brothers and sisters, it's time to speak out and sign this petition.

We, the people, need to act like the bosses we are. We should control when and how much our elected officials get paid.

The Postal Service is poised at the edge of financial collapse, not due to declines in mail, but as a result of unfair Congressional mandates that are crippling it from the inside. This non-profit service agency is not funded by taxpayer dollars and has served the citizens of this United States since before the actual birth of this country. This national treasure needs to be protected! Tell Congress to stop fiddling while the Postal Service burns!!

In response to the realignment of prisoners to the county jails. L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca has proposed a $1.4 billion expansion to Los Angeles County jails. This expansion would add 393 expensive and unneeded beds to LA's jails. Realignment should be utilized to expand community programs and alternatives to incarceration not to build more cages.

The way DCF handles calls on child abuse or sexual abuse. Do our children or Grand children have to become a statistic before they do anything.

I currently work for a non profit apprenticeship painting program for ex-felons giving them a second chance to change their lifestyles and to be mainstreamed back into society as a viable entity in their community. This program keeps our youth off the streets, a prevention for lowering crime and out of the penal system. We are the only minority apprenticeship in the State of Virginia and partnering with the Department of Juvenile Justice and we cant get funding for these youth. We currently have 21 youth involved in this program, yet they want us to help others but won't support us in our endeavors.