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Pilot program to provide detox beds for Medi-Cal patients

Five detoxification beds are now available to Medi-Cal patients thanks to a pilot program between Kern County and Good Samaritan Hospital and funded by the state. 

The Kern County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a $2 million pilot program for Good Samaritan to provide the detox beds for a year, expanding the range of treatment options available to low-income patients. 

Dr. Jasmeet Bains begins second term, vows continued advocacy for Kern County needs

BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — Dr. Jasmeet Bains has been sworn in for her second term as the representative for California's 35th Assembly District, pledging to continue her advocacy for Kern County.

Bains was re-elected with more than 57% of the vote, a testament to her work in Sacramento and the ongoing needs of her constituents.

New law directs UC to build Kern medical school branch

A new law directs the University of California to set up a new medical school branch in Kern County, thanks to a bill authored by Assemblywoman Dr. Jasmeet Bains, D-Delano.

Assembly Bill 2357, also known as the "Grow Our Own" bill, was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom Sunday, creating a new endowment fund to finance the future school and its operations.

Physician politicians: Why doctors choose to serve -- and how you can too

Physicians who run for elected office say they’re proud to serve patients in ways that go beyond the individual contacts in the examination room. This fall, doctors will appear on the ballot with other political candidates seeking public office. They are a small group relative to the total number of physicians or elected leaders in the nation. However, they said their experiences in medicine are great preparation for serving in office, and they spoke to Medical Economics about the process of campaigning and why more doctors need to get involved in politics.

Sikh activists in US, Canada face threats a year after Trudeau linked leader's killing to India

WASHINGTON/TORONTO, Aug 12 (Reuters) - As a physician specializing in addiction, Dr. Jasmeet Bains, the first Sikh American elected to the California assembly, was used to risky situations.

Even so, Bains said she was shocked when four men came to her office in August last year, shortly after California adopted her resolution declaring the killing of thousands of Sikhs in India in 1984 a genocide. The men, who appeared to be of Indian origin, warned they would "do whatever it takes to go after you," Bains said.

CARB’s new harbor craft rule could put California under water

OPINION – California’s approach to environmental regulations must balance immediate effects with long-term consequences. Recent California Air Resources Board (CARB) amendments to the Commercial Harbor Craft Rule highlight the need for this balance. These amendments, if unaltered, pose significant risks to mariners’ safety and affect California’s maritime projects. Fortunately, Assemblymember Dr.

Assemblywoman Bains gets county approval for $8 million to combat fentanyl

Assemblywoman Dr. Jasmeet Bains was approved by the Kern County Board of Supervisors to disperse state funding to several law enforcement and healthcare agencies to combat fentanyl in Kern County.

The funding for the agencies to participate in Fentanyl Misuse and Overdose Prevention Task Force was approved during the Kern County Board of Supervisors' meeting Tuesday morning, according to a county news release.