During the open meeting public‑comment period, Sarah Granda and her licensed vocational nurse, Gloria Barrera, described repeated interruptions in 24‑hour qualified nursing coverage and urged CalPERS staff to comply with a temporary restraining order (TRO) and motion to compel. The speakers said ongoing administrative delays have created life‑threatening gaps in care.
Sarah Granda said she has tried repeatedly to secure coverage and argued the contract language guaranteeing 24‑hour nursing should be honored. Gloria Barrera, who identified herself as a licensed vocational nurse caring for Granda, said: "Sarah isn't just paperwork. It's her breath. It's her life." Barrera described scrambling to cover shifts when coverage breaks down and said that relying on 1099 contractors without protections is "unsafe, unfair, and it drives nurses away, worsening the crisis." She asked the board to "honor your commitments, protect your patient, and protect the nurses you depend on."
Why it matters: the comments implicated an active dispute over benefit administration and contracting for high‑acuity home nursing services. Callers and on‑site speakers asked the board to ensure its contracted third‑party administrator and staff implement court orders and stabilize care rapidly to avoid further service disruptions.
Board response: meeting officers recorded the public comments and proceeded with the agenda; there was no public record of a board vote or formal direction on the item during open session. Speakers asked for direct, transparent staff action to resolve the reported coverage gaps and for compliance with court directives.
The public record shows multiple related public comments on this subject across the meeting, and callers urged immediate staff follow‑up and compliance with legal orders to protect patient safety.