(Sacramento, CA) – The California State Legislature passed legislation authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) that will help 6.5 million Californians with limited English proficiency understand their medications by requiring pharmacists to distribute translations of drug information materials.

Ting’s Assembly Bill (AB) 1073 passed the Assembly 79-0, following a 40-0 Senate vote on Wednesday. It is now pending Governor Jerry Brown’s signature or veto by October 11.

“We need an equal standard of patient care. Pharmacy services are an integral part of health care and language skills should never be an impediment to equal access,” said Ting. “California is the most linguistically diverse state in the nation. By ensuring that all patients understand their medications, we will save lives and improve healthcare for millions of people.”

AB 1073 requires all pharmacists to provide translated directions for use to limited English proficient patients, which can be done through: • Using translations made available by the Board of Pharmacy, which regulates pharmacists – the Board has translated for use in five languages (Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese) 15 standardized directions, such as take one pill at bedtime and take one pill in the morning. • Providing translated directions for use – some pharmacies already offer patients comprehensive translation services, and are encouraged to continue doing so.

The 2010 U.S. Census found over 6.5 million Californians speak English less than “very well.” And, 44 percent of Californians speak a language other than English at home.

Here is what supporters are saying about AB 1073.

“A patient’s first and best source of information about their medication is the prescription label,” said Sarah de Guia, Executive Director of the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network. “Patients with limited English skills are over twice as likely to have difficulty understanding their medications. This bill will help make prescription labels understandable and meaningful for millions of Californians."

“Prescription medications are an important element of health care: adherence to medication regimens is a significant problem for many consumers. Is it one pill twice a day? Is that one pill every twelve hours? Or is it two pills in the morning and none at night? How long do I take the prescription?” -Anthony Wright, Executive Director, Health Access California

“Access to health care requires effective communication between patients and medical professionals. AB 1073 would help limited-English proficient patients across California understand prescription drug information in their primary language, a need that can literally be a matter of life and death.” -Xavier Morales, Executive Director, Latino Coalition for a Healthy California

“This bill will ensure all Californians, regardless of the language they speak, understand how to safely take their medication.” -Sherry Hirota, Chief Executive Officer, Asian Health Services

“Culturally and linguistically appropriate healthcare is fundamental for patient health and well-being. By making it easier for seniors to understand their medications, they can focus on enjoying their golden years with dignity and grace.” -Andy Bryant, Chief Operating Officer, Self Help for the Elderly

“We at Chinese Hospital feel this is a valuable bill for not only our Chinese speaking community but all the other community members we serve with limited English proficiency. This bill will help people properly take their medications and ensure they get the benefit of the drugs as their doctors intended.” -Diane Hong, Pharmacist at Chinese Hospital

Further information is available at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov.

(Sacramento, CA) – The California State Legislature passed legislation authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D–San Francisco) to prohibit sidewalk tolls for pedestrians and cyclists crossing the Golden Gate and state-owned toll bridges.

Assembly Bill (AB) 40 passed the Assembly with a 65-13 vote, following a 29-11 Senate vote on Tuesday.  It is now pending Governor Jerry Brown’s signature or veto by October 11.

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA)  Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) issued the following statement in response to graffiti saying “No more Chinese,” which was found most recently in the Portola neighborhood of San Francisco over the weekend.  Reports suggest this graffiti has appeared in various locations over the past few months.

“Chinese Americans are the only ethnic group to be excluded from immigrating into our country via the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.  This hateful graffiti is a reminder of this hysteria and could not be further from our values as a community.  San Francisco has long provided refuge to people facing discrimination.  We cherish diversity and celebrate it with pride.  By catching and prosecuting the perpetrator of this crime, we can send a message that hate has no place in our city.”

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(Sacramento, CA) –   The State Legislature passed legislation authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) that will help California receive federal funding from the 2014 farm bill in order to expand healthy food access at farmers’ markets for low-income Californians receiving food stamps.

Assembly Bill (AB) 1321 passed the Assembly today with a 56-16 vote, following a 30-8 Senate vote on Wednesday.  It is now pending Governor Jerry Brown’s signature or veto by October 11.

(Sacramento, CA) –   Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) to authorize the use of more financial tools, subject to voter approval, to pay for the restoration of the San Francisco Bay.

“The bay is our region’s greatest natural treasure and it will take some doing to overcome a century of landfill and pollution,” said Ting.  “Efforts to restore its beauty have stalled because we haven’t had all of the right financial tools.  With that obstacle now gone, we can craft a viable restoration plan for voters to consider.  This is very exciting.”

Sacramento, CA - Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Carpinteria), Chair of the Asian & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus and Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), Vice Chair of the Asian & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus release the following statement in response to a quote by Presidential Candidate Jeb Bush regarding his use of the derogatory term “anchor babies” relative to the Asian community:

Assemblymember Das Williams states:

“Jeb Bush’s comments on Asian immigrants are incredibly derogatory and appalling. Bush’s words harken back to 19th century ideas such as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 to deny American citizenship to Asians. The Asian American community is the fastest growing immigrant population in the United States, and I am angered that a Presidential candidate would use a national platform to demonize Asian Americans families.

(Sacramento, CA) –   The California State Legislature passed legislation authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) to authorize the use of more financial tools, subject to voter approval, to pay for the restoration of the San Francisco Bay.

Assembly Bill (AB) 746 passed the Assembly today with a 49-28 vote, following a Senate a 26-11 Senate vote on Monday.  It is now pending Governor Jerry Brown’s signature or veto.

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA)  Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) cheered today’s decision from the United States Supreme Court legalizing same-sex marriage across the country.  As the former Assessor-Recorder of San Francisco, Ting signed the first marriage license legally recognized by the State of California in conjunction with the marriage of Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin in 2008.  Ting’s statement follows.

““The need to love makes everyone the same.  It is the ultimate expression of our humanity. Finally, the law frees all of us to publicly express love through marriage.  This leap forward inspires such profound joy in me, especially as a father.  Our shared struggle to reach this moment is something my young daughters will never experience in their own lives.  I can’t wait to march with them at Pride this weekend to celebrate how our lives are better when love wins!”

(SACRAMENTO, CA) Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) honored 29-year-old John Mark Sonza of Daly City during the California State Assembly's 8th Annual Veteran of the Year Luncheon, which recognized veterans from across California and featured speeches from Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and other dignitaries.

"John has lived an inspiring life of service to his country and his roots in the Philippines," said Ting. "He has a beautiful family and very bright future ahead. I know John will make us even more proud to claim him as a member of our community."

(Sacramento, CA) – Assemblymember Phil Ting (D–San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation, issued the following statement about the passage of a state budget for California.  Ting’s statement follows.

“This budget makes it a little easier to be a kid in California.  A new tax credit will help keep millions out of poverty.  We will start providing health care to children regardless of immigration status.  Thousands more parents will be able to send their children to preschool and to childcare.  K-12 funding is at a new high, our public universities will expand California student enrollment, and financial aid expansion will enable more students to afford a college education.  But our kids deserve even more.  We cannot give them a better start in life over the long haul without reforming our tax code to ensure that the state’s financial future is even more secure.”

For further information, please see an analysis of the budget agreement online here.