Representing the 5th District

Sacramento - Doctor Richard Pan, who represents the Sacramento area in the State Assembly, says he and other local leaders have declared a pediatric dental emergency because Sacramento’s Geographic Managed Care (GMC) program has failed to deliver dental care to children. “Our children must have direct access to dental professionals until proper reforms and oversight can be implemented,” Dr. Pan said. “This model has been effective in some cities and states, but without proper oversight, it has been a disaster in Sacramento.” During a recent hearing of the Assembly Select Committee on Health Care Workforce and Access to Care, chaired by Dr. Pan, some of those most affected by the troubled GMC program testified. Here’s more in this Assembly Web report.

AB 1505 Would Help Veterans Upgrade Discharges Based on Sexual Orientation, Urge Federal Action to Grant Benefits

SACRAMENTO – Today the California State Assembly passed AB 1505, legislation authored by Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) that seeks to address decades of discrimination against LGBT veterans who are denied official recognition and benefits they earned defending their country.

“True equality demands that we honor the sacrifices of LGBT service members just as we do for our other brave men and women in uniform,” Dr. Pan said.  “Many groups of Americans have made historic sacrifices for their country in times of war, while LGBT service members have sacrificed in silence.  AB 1505 will help us look back and honor their historic service and also look forward to make sure they receive the benefits they deserve.”

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AB 2109 Moves to Senate as Whooping Cough Outbreaks Occur in West Coast States

SACRAMENTO – The California Assembly today passed AB 2109, legislation authored by Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) to provide parents with health information that they can use to help protect their families and communities from communicable diseases like whooping cough, which is currently causing outbreaks in California, Oregon and Washington as reported by NBC Nightly News on April 5.

“As a pediatrician, I understand the importance of strong relationships between parents and their physicians,” Dr. Pan said. “AB 2109 ensures that parents are able to make an informed decision about getting their children immunized before they enter school with the counsel of California’s 150,000 licensed health care professionals, helping protect their families and communities from deadly communicable diseases.”

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Pawnbrokers would Electronically Report Transactions to Law Enforcement under Dr. Richard Pan’s AB 391

SACRAMENTO – The State Senate Committee on Public Safety has unanimously passed AB 391, a bill authored by Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) that would create a statewide partnership to build an online reporting system allowing law enforcement, pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers to work together more effectively to track potentially stolen items.

“I would like to thank the California Pawnbrokers Association and law enforcement leaders like Attorney General Kamala Harris and Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca for working to open a new front in the effort to keep our families and our property safe,” Dr. Pan said.  “AB 391 will help law enforcement, pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers to work together by creating an online database where they can talk to each other and track the movement of stolen property.”

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95-Percent of CSU Faculty Vote to Allow First Strike in History of CSU

SACRAMENTO – Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) issued the following statement today after an overwhelming majority of California State University faculty voted to allow a strike in an effort to protect affordable, quality higher education in California:

“California State University faculty members have made it clear that it is time to stop the downward spiral of reducing academic freedom, job security and access for students.  Their overwhelming vote to strike shows their dedication to stand up for the quality education and job training that will put California back on the path to prosperity.  As an educator at UC Davis, I stand with them and hope that a fair and just agreement can be reached soon.”

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Resolution Authored by Dr. Richard Pan to Celebrate Heritage in May

SACRAMENTO – The California Assembly has approved a resolution authored by Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) recognizing Taiwanese American Heritage Week in May.

“Taiwanese Americans have flourished in California by building upon their great traditions of freedom and education,” Dr. Pan said. “I am honored to introduce this resolution for California to recognize the contributions of Taiwanese Americans to a broad range of endeavors in our state.”

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Over 100 Physicians from Around State Go to Capitol Pledging to Provide Immunization Information to Protect Families

SACRAMENTO – The Assembly Committee on Health today approved AB 2109, legislation authored by Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) that will provide immunization information to parents considering exempting their children from school and child care center vaccination requirements.

“As a pediatrician, I know licensed health care practitioners consider themselves partners with parents in these decisions,” Dr. Pan said. “AB 2109 ensures that their expertise is helping parents make this critical public health decision.”

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Assembly Committee on Higher Education Passes Dr. Pan Bill to Strengthen Student Voice on CSU Board of Trustees

SACRAMENTO – The Sacramento State Student Action Committee joined Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) at the State Capitol today to testify before the Assembly Committee on Higher Education as it approved AB 1965, legislation Dr. Pan introduced that aims to strengthen the student voice on the California State University Board of Trustees.

“I opened my Assembly district office at Sacramento State University because I knew the power of students can make a real difference in our communities and in our Capitol,” Dr. Pan said. “It was so great to have Karen, Ryan and all the members of the Student Action Committee at the Capitol today in support of legislation that will help protect higher education for them and the students that come after them.”

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At 90, Igra Recalls Her Story of Escape from Nazis to Inform Work on Holocaust Education

SACRAMENTO – As a young child, Liz Igra escaped Nazi persecution by fleeing with her mother from their home in a Polish ghetto.  Today, Igra was recognized by Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) on the floor of the California State Assembly for helping to educate new generations about the horrors of the Holocaust.

“Liz continues to give voice to a generation that saw how intolerance and totalitarianism tear society apart,” Dr. Pan said. “The Assembly’s Holocaust Memorial recognizes this dark chapter in our shared past, but it also honors the dedication of Liz and others to help us understand these critical lessons from history, which will always be important to any free society.”

To disguise their Jewish origin, Igra and her mother assumed false identities and crossed the border on foot over Czechoslovakia to Hungary, where they were kept hidden.  After migrating to America, Igra became an educator in the Elk Grove Unified School District, and moved to Arden-Arcade, where she resides with her husband.  She is now president and founder of the Central Valley Holocaust Educators’ Network, which is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting teachers in effectively implementing a Holocaust and genocide curriculum through workshops, trainings, support, consulting and other resources.

Dr. Richard Pan is a father, pediatrician, educator, small business owner and first-term Assemblymember who lives in Sacramento. He also represents the Cities of Citrus Heights and Folsom and surrounding areas.

Faculty Supporters Rally as Assembly Committee Prepares to Hear Dr. Pan Bill Strengthening Faculty Voice on CSU Board of Trustees

SACRAMENTO – Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) joined faculty at Sacramento State University today to speak out against the increased class sizes and reduced student access that would be caused by proposals made by California State University management in faculty contract negotiations.

“Training a 21st century workforce while draining funds from the classroom is a recipe for economic disaster,” Dr. Pan said. “As a UC Davis professor, I know that we all succeed when faculty can focus on the students’ individual academic needs.  The movement university management is making could lead to increased class sizes, less academic freedom and putting more educators on the chopping block, all of which is not consistent with a system of higher education that puts students first.”

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