Kidney transplants could save health-care system millions

The number of Canadians living with kidney failure has tripled in 20 years and thousands of patients are waiting for kidney transplants, researchers say in a report that suggests if transplants were available, $150 million spent on expensive treatments would be saved.
There were nearly 38,000 Canadians living with kidney failure in 2009 -more than triple the number recorded in 1990 -with 3,000 people on a transplant waiting list, according to a study examining organ failure released yesterday by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).
If everyone on the wait list was transplanted, about $150 million would be saved each year because of less dialysis treatment expenses, said Claire Marie Fortin, CIHI's manager of clinical registries.
"Dialysis is expensive, there's no denying it," Fortin said.
"It's also onerous on the patient. We always think of dollars and cents when it comes to health care, but there are patients involved and these are people who have to travel far to get their dialysis. A greater supply of organs would be beneficial to the system."
Hemodialysis treatments cost $60,000 a year per patient while a one-time expense for a kidney transplant is only about $23,000, plus an additional $6,000 for medication to maintain the transplant, Fortin said.

OREA Guidelines for Access to Public Records

OREA Guidelines for Access to Public Records

• The Office of Real Estate Appraisers ("Office") will provide to any requesting person or agency timely access to all records not specifically exempt from disclosure or release under the provisions of the Public Records Act (Gov. Code, section 6254 et seq.) or that are otherwise not exempt from disclosure or release under state or federal law. The Office may refuse to disclose records that are exempt from disclosure.
• Records are available for inspection upon reasonable notice during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at:

  1102 Q Street, Suite 4100
  Sacramento, CA 95811
  (916) 440-7876
  fpaige@orea.ca.gov

• In order to preserve the integrity of the requested records against theft, mutilation, or accidental damage, and to insure that requests for public inspection do not interfere with the orderly functions of the Office, any person requesting to inspect or obtain copies of public records must comply with the following guidelines:
  1. Requests for non-confidential information may be made in writing to the address above. They may also be made via fax or email, or orally by telephone or personal communication. The Office encourages written requests;
  2. Requests shall include a concise statement specifically describing the records sought and, if known, the form in which the records are maintained whether in electronic of other format. If a request is not specific, staff of the Office shall assist requestors in identifying the information requested and the format in which such information is maintained by the Office;
  3. Office functions shall not be suspended to permit, nor shall public records be made available for, inspection during periods when use of such records is reasonably required by Office personnel in the performance of their duties;
  4. Records may only be reviewed under the supervision of Office staff. Records will not be provided for inspection outside the Office.
• The Office may, in the discretion of the Director, charge any person of agency requesting inspection of records a reasonable fee for retrieval of records stored or maintained outside the Office. The fee shall not exceed the cost incurred by the Office in retrieving the requested information.
• Copies of requested information will be provided upon prepayment of copying costs of $.10 per page.
• A copy of these guidelines shall be posted in a conspicuous place open to the public within the Office, and a copy shall be made available free of charge to any person requesting such.

The Real Estate and Business Agents

The Real Estate and Business Agents Supervisory Board is the independent statutory authority established under the Real Estate and Business Agents Act 1978 to regulate people who conduct real estate transactions and certain business transactions.

The Board is responsible to the Minister for Commerce, and has the following functions under the Act:

• administer the licensing system for real estate and business agents and the registration system for sales representatives;
• conduct and promote education and provide advisory services;
• conduct investigations into allegations about real estate agents and sales representatives;
• provide conciliation services to consumers and agents in dispute;
• administer the Fidelity Guarantee Account, which reimburses people for financial loss due to the criminal or fraudulent behaviour of an agent or sales representative;
• administer the Homebuyers Assistance Account, which provides first homebuyers with financial assistance;
• advise the Minister for Commerce on the administration of the Act; and
• recommend amendments to the Regulations and the Act.

The Board is fully funded through the interest paid on the balance of money held in the trust accounts of agents, licence and certificate fees, and interest on investments held in Treasury. Funding is used to provide services to the industry and public in five major areas:

• Licensing
  • Involves the quality control of people seeking to enter the real estate and business broking industries and those already registered or licensed in those industries.
• Compliance
  • Ensures that licensed real estate and business agents and their representatives comply with the relevant legislation and financial reporting requirements.
• Education and Awareness
  • Aims to encourage awareness of real estate "best practice" through activities such as proactive visits, seminars and publications.
• Fidelity Guarantee Account
  • Centres on the assessment of claims for reimbursement from consumers who have suffered financial loss during a real estate transaction due to the criminal or fraudulent conduct of a licensed real estate and business agent or their sales representative.
• Home Buyers Assistance Account
  • Works to ensure that people who lodge a claim against the Fund satisfy the necessary requirements and receive funding in a timely manner.