What:     Town Hall on Cuts & Closures at Kaiser Manteca Medical Center
When:    Today, Dec. 11, 2013, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Where:   Manteca Transit Center, Moffat Blvd. (at South. Main St.)

The seniors and nurses of the Keep Manteca Safe Committee are applauding the announcement by the California Alliance for Retired Americans that the senior advocacy group will host the “Town Hall on Cuts & Closures at Kaiser-Manteca Medical Center” today, Dec. 11th, from 1-3 p.m., at the Manteca Transit Center, Moffat Blvd. at S. Main St.

“We welcome the opportunity to be heard,” said committee member Jackie Rudy, a resident of the Woodbridge by Del Webb retirement community in Manteca. “These cuts and closures are causing real harm to seniors and people throughout the area.”

The Keep Manteca Safe Committee launched its public awareness campaign two months ago at the Manteca Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 5-6.  The committee has led local seniors and Kaiser nurses, who are members of the California Nurses Association, in a series of activities to increase public awareness of the committee’s demand that Kaiser executives agree to return services and hospital beds cut in January.


Nurses and seniors list cuts they want restored in Saturday’s holiday parade in Manteca

“As nurses first and foremost we are patient advocates,” said Ruth Somera, RN. “The residents of Manteca need and deserve a fully functional hospital to ensure their personal safety. We’re witnessing delays in patient care and disruptions in the continuum of care that we cannot ignore or stay silent about.”

Since October, seniors and nurses have conducted a march for patient safety, held a candlelight vigil outside of the hospital, hosted two community forums and more. On Saturday, Dec. 7, they will be participating in the Manteca Holiday Parade to further raise awareness of the crisis at the Kaiser-Manteca Medical Center.