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A record number of U.S. children were covered by health insurance in 2011, mostly due to substantial increases in the enrollment rates of public insurance, according to new research from the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire.
The new research is presented in the Carsey Institute brief “Record Number of Children Covered by Health Insurance in 2011” conducted by Michael Staley, a research assistant at the Carsey Institute and a doctoral candidate in sociology at the University of New Hampshire.
“The increase in children covered by health insurance likely stems from policies enacted to increase participation in government-sponsored health insurance programs. In addition, we continue to see significant declines in private insurance and increases in public insurance, which reflects the economic and job market of 2011, four years after the beginning of the Great Recession,” Staley said.
According to Staley, between 2008 and 2011, the rate of private coverage among children decreased by more than 5 percentage points across the United States, while public rates increased by more than 9 percentage points.
“While unemployment rates have declined since 2008, research shows that some individuals are taking jobs with no health benefits, with health benefits that are not available to dependents, or with unaffordable premiums. Thus, many parents have turned to public programs such as Medicaid, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) or other state programs,” he said.
The key findings included the following:
- Rates of insurance coverage for children under age 18 increased from 90 percent in 2008 to 92.5 percent in 2011.
- With the exception of the Midwest, all regions experienced a modest increase in children’s health insurance coverage between 2010 and 2011.
- Rural places and central cities in the South and West experienced the greatest increases in rates of coverage since 2008.
- The proportion of children covered by public health insurance increased substantially for the fourth consecutive year in every kind of place – rural, suburban, and in central cities.
- Rates of private insurance coverage among children decreased for the fourth consecutive year.
“As more families turn to public insurance to provide coverage for their children, costs are likely to increase, despite cost-reducing measures required by the Affordable Care Act that go into effect in 2014. Some proposed policy changes would shift a greater proportion of the cost of care back to families, which could be particularly burdensome for low-income families, who may choose to forego care because of higher costs,” Staley said.
The complete Carsey Institute report about this research is available at http://www.carseyinstitute.unh.edu/publication/689 .
This analysis is based on U.S. Census Bureau estimates from the 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 American Community Survey.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The “Catsnip” program, run by local vets to help reduce the county’s cat euthanasia rate, has ended.
Veterinarian Dr. Susan Cannon of Wasson Memorial Veterinary Clinic in Lakeport said Lake County veterinarians formed the Catsnip spay and neuter program in January of 2012 for feral and unowned cats.
Participating clinics agreed to spay and neuter two cats per week at no charge in an attempt to help reduce the county's cat euthanasia rate, which is the highest in the state, Cannon said.
The program ended as of Dec. 31, 2012. Cannon said a total of 253 surgeries were performed.
Participating in the program were Middletown Animal Hospital, Animal Hospital of Clearlake, Clearlake Veterinary Clinic, Main Street Veterinary Clinic in Lakeport and Wasson Memorial Veterinary Clinic.
The program represented the first trap, neuter and release program in Lake County, Cannon said. Similar programs have been used throughout the country to help reduce the number of unwanted cats.
Lake County Animal Care and Control has received grant money to run a similar program through the shelter's spay/neuter facility, which was constructed last year.
In order to qualify the cats must be unowned strays or “community cats.”
For more information regarding the Lake County Animal Care and Control trap, neuter and release program call 707-263-0278.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Wine Alliance has chosen Cole Creek Equestrian Center in Kelseyville as the venue for the 14th annual Lake County Wine Auction to be presented on Saturday, Sept. 21.
Organizers say the stunning facility is a perfect venue for Lake County’s premiere fundraising event.
Since its inception in 2000, the auction has raised $991,302 in proceeds to benefit Lake County groups and organizations.
John and Joanne Van Eck, owners of Cole Creek Equestrian Center, will be the honorary cochairs for the 2013 Wine Auction.
They will be assisted by an all-volunteer committee, cochaired by Judy Luchsinger of Lakeport and Sharron Zoller of Kelseyville.
The elegant, black tie-encouraged affair will begin at 5 p.m. and end at 11 p.m.
Tickets are $150 per person and may be reserved at www.winealliance.org or by calling 866-279-WINE.
Sponsorship information is available from Marie Beery, 707-278-0129.
A large selection of Lake County wineries, caterers and restaurants will feature a variety of wines and fine foods at the fourteenth annual benefit.
Five senior centers, five high schools, three high school programs and eight nonprofit organizations shared the $96,000 raised in 2012 from last September's Lake County Wine Auction.
This is the largest amount distributed by the sponsoring Lake County Wine Alliance in six years.
Local wineries, wine grape growers, restaurants, and other businesses and individuals are generous supporters through their donations to the live and silent auctions and to the food and beverages served at the gala affair.
Lake County and regional businesses provide support through sponsorships.
The charter of the Wine Alliance directs its efforts to foster the arts, benefit health services, and support the community, while promoting Lake County as a premier grape growing and fine wine region.
Members of the Wine Alliance board are Kaj Ahlmann, Lower Lake, president; Judy Luchsinger, Lakeport, vice president; Sharron Zoller, Kelseyville, secretary; Rob Roumiguiere, Kelseyville, treasurer; and Marie Beery, Kelseyville, and Bill Groody, Kelseyville, directors.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With county residents concerned due to a recent murder as well as a series of break-ins and other property crimes, local officials last Thursday offered a series of safety tips that people can take on their own.
The proposals came during a town hall meeting at Kelseyville High School last week which Supervisor Rob Brown organized.
During the meeting, there also was an update on the investigation into the Jan. 18 murder of 33-year-old Kelseyville resident Forrest Seagrave, mortally wounded during a late night robbery, as well as general public safety issues.
Here are some of the key suggestions made during the meeting.
Start or join a Neighborhood Watch group
Undersheriff Pat Turturici said the sheriff’s office has reinstated its Neighborhood Watch program and is now forming groups.
For county residents, call the sheriff’s office at 707-262-4200.
The Lakeport Police Department also coordinates Neighborhood Watch programs in the city as part of its community oriented policing strategy. Lakeport residents interested in the program are encouraged to call Lakeport Police at 707-263-5491.
Clearlake residents should call the Clearlake Police Department at 707-994-8251 to ask about program availability.
Be vigilant
Capt. Chris Macedo of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office urged people to always be aware of their surroundings.
It’s important to look around you, and not to be so distracted by phones or music – especially when wearing head phones – that you’re not aware of that is going on nearby, he said.
Consider a security system
Security systems can help keep a home safe, and also are more affordably priced these days.
For about $500, a home can be outfitted with a basic security system featuring cameras that can be checked via smart phone, according to Mike Gossett of Gossett Alarm.
The capability of video surveillance, Macedo said, can help law enforcement when investigating break ins.
Get a dog
A dog can be a great companion, and also can help discourage potential burglars.
Macedo said law enforcement doesn’t like to go into homes with snarling dogs – even small ones – so he didn’t imagine the bad guys do, either.
He said it’s important to make sure that there is adequate fencing and containment for dogs.
Brown said dogs, by alerting their owners through barking, can help give a person time to react if a break in is taking place.
If you’re looking for a dog, check out Lake County Animal Care and Control at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dogs_and_Puppies.htm , telephone 707-263-0278 or visit the shelter at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport.
Be mindful of visibility and lighting
Macedo suggested keeping shrubs and other vegetation around homes trimmed back so they can’t be used as hiding places for burglars.
He also urged that people have adequate lighting around homes.
Clean up graffiti
Gangs are active in Lake County, community members were told at the meeting.
In areas where gangs are active, graffiti often results. “That’s how they mark their territory,” said Macedo.
He said the best thing to do in response is to cover the graffiti up as quickly as possible.
Write down serial numbers
Another simple thing that many people know to do, but often don’t do, is writing down the serial numbers of valuables such as computers and other electronics, and keeping that information in a safe place, a practice Macedo encouraged.
When items are stolen and owners report the serial numbers, those numbers are put into a database, Macedo said.
In a recent case, a gun stolen from Lake County in 1993 was found in Tennessee, thanks to its serial number showing up in that database, Macedo said.
He encouraged people to take the time to write the information down, and even to take pictures of items to go with the numbers.
Report code violations
Brown said it can be easy to ignore code violations on properties, such as jacked up cars sitting in yards for extended periods of time.
However, leaving neighborhoods and homes to fall into disrepair can attract crime, he said.
Lake County Community Development Director Rick Coel encouraged community members to call his agency at 707-263-2221 to report code violations, including marijuana grows that are out of compliance or nuisances.
Learn about gun ownership, gun safety
For those wanting to own a firearm for self protection, Brown encouraged them to take hunter safety courses, which also are available for children.
Groups like the Lake County Rod and Gun Club are excellent resources for people who want to learn about gun safety, he said.
It also was pointed out that for those who have children, there are gun locks that keep the firearms safe from children but can still be made quickly available when needed by an adult.
There are other devices, including pepper spray, that also can offer a measure of protection, Macedo said.
Take a self-defense course
Learning to defend oneself through martial arts and basic self-defense courses can be empowering; it also can keep you safe.
Instructors Aaron Jameson and Fred Langston were both at the Thursday meeting to be available to talk to community members; there also are other martial arts studios in Lake County where community members can learn self-defense and stay fit at the same time.
For businesses: Enforce clothing rules
For business owners concerned about robberies, officials pointed out that it’s legal to set up rules for attire for those visiting a business.
The “no shoes, no shirts, no service” standard is well known; it’s also perfectly acceptable to ban items of clothing like hats and hoodies, which one Kelseyville business did after an armed robbery a few years ago.
Keep it locked
While many people living in rural areas like Lake County are used to leaving their homes and vehicles unlocked, locking doors is a basic, yet effective, deterrent.
Even Brown admitted that he’s having to change habits, after years of leaving his vehicle unlocked.
He also reminded people that they can’t leave tools or equipment unsecured in vehicles.
Doing so almost ensures they will be stolen; he said such property crimes are extremely time consuming for law enforcement.
Keep children busy
Despite the assertions by some that say there isn’t enough for children to do in Lake County, Brown argued against that notion, pointing to school and league sports, martial arts, the local BMX park, dance, 4-H and FFA, as well as outdoor activities.
He said he remembered an undersheriff who made fishing poles as a hobby, whose motto was that a child with a fishing pole in their hand doesn’t get into trouble.
“It takes involvement by the parents,” Brown said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Director Cindy Strong has set the play list for the 15 acts that make up this year’s Winter Music Fest, and there clearly will be much great material to live up to its theme, which this year is “Makin’ Music.”
Shows will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre, 275 S. Main St., Lakeport.
For more than two decades, the Lake County Arts Council has presented the Winter Music Fest in order to promote local music-makers and bring the best of the emerging artists to the public stage.
In this case, many of the “emerging artists” have already established sterling reputations for first-rate entertainment.
Among the most flamboyant and spectacular acts in the show will be the a Capella singing group, My Divas, made up of eight excellent singers presenting Renaissance songs.
They appear in court dress singing courtly songs in the first half of the second act, and in what they call “wench costumes” to sing tavern songs of the time at the end of the show.
Though the music they use has complex harmonies in several languages, they are wonderfully lively and always turn on the audience.
In the last year, Kevin Village Stone and Lindy Day have exploded on our musical scene with a huge variety of musical styles, from Native American flute music to rocking blues by way of classical guitar. Recently Day also has been playing blues-rock guitar with singer Kayla Bell.
In addition, the “Three Cathys” – Cathy Mallow, Cathy O’Connell and Kathleen Escudé – well known for putting popular songs across, will be appearing in various combinations.
The glorious Barbara Clark is appearing, as well as Suna Flores, Reiko Hattori of the amazing voice, Megan Smith and Dan Springer. These names are all rapidly becoming well-known around here.
Rounding out the musical palate will be the Mendo Lake Singers, whose many costumed members, singing four-part harmonies and winning competitions around the state, are solid senders we can be proud of.
Tickets are available now. All seats are $15 and available through the Soper-Reese Web site, www.soperreesetheater.com , or at the box office at 707-263-0577, at The Travel Center on S. Main in Lakeport, or at the door at the time of the show.
The Winter Music Fest is one of two fundraisers that the Lake County Arts Council presents each year, the other the Spring Dance Festival in early May.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – It’s another interesting array of canines available for adoption at Lake County Animal Care and Control this week.
Airedales, Labrador Retrievers, terriers, a Scottish-cairn terrier mix, boxers and more can be found during a visit to the shelter.
Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.
The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).
Female terrier mix
This female terrier mix is 2 years old.
She has a short tricolor coat, a short tail, weighs 12 pounds and has been spayed.
Find her in kennel No. 4b, ID No. 35483.
Labrador Retriever mix puppy
This 10-week-old female puppy is a Labrador Retriever mix.
She has a short black coat, weighs just under 7 pounds and has been spayed.
She’s in kennel No. 5c, ID No. 35393.
Labrador Retriever mix puppy
This female Labrador Retriever mix puppy is 10 weeks old.
Like her littermate, she has a short black coat, weighs nearly 7 pounds and has been spayed.
She’s in kennel No. 5d, ID No. 35394.
‘Sasha’
“Sasha” is a 10 year old border collie mix.
She has a short black and tan coat, weighs 81 pounds and has been spayed.
She's in kennel No. 12, ID No. 35388.
American Bulldog mix
This male American Bulldog mix is 1 year old.
He has a short brown and white coat and floppy ears, weighs 70 pounds and has been neutered.
He’s in kennel No. 13, ID No. 35404.
‘Vader’
“Vader” is a 9 year old Scottish Terrier-cairn terrier mix.
He has a curly gray coat and erect ears, weighs nearly 18 pounds and has been neutered.
He’s in kennel No. 15, ID No. 35470.
Boxer mix
This male boxer mix is 9 months old.
He has a short brown and white coat and he’s been neutered.
Visit him in kennel No. 16, ID No. 35380.
‘Jitsue’
“Jitsue” is a 9 month old female Labrador Retriever mix.
She has a short chocolate-colored coat, weighs 62 pounds and has been spayed.
She's in kennel No. 21, ID No. 35408.
‘Leo’
“Leo” is a 9 month old male Labrador Retriever mix.
He has a short buff-colored coat, weighs 70 pounds and has been neutered.
Find him in kennel No. 22, ID No. 35407.
Male terrier mix
This male terrier mix is 3 years old.
He has a short black and white coat, and has not yet been neutered.
He’s in kennel No. 23a, ID No. 35472.
Chihuahua-terrier mix
This male Chihuahua-terrier is 2 years old.
He has a short black and brown coat, and has not yet been altered.
Find him in kennel No. 23b, ID No. 35473.
Pit bull mix
This male pit bull terrier mix is 2 years old.
He has a short brown and white coat, and has been neutered.
He’s in kennel No. 24, ID No. 35471.
‘Annie O.’
“Annie O.” is a female Airedale terrier mix.
She is 3 years old, has a curly brown and black coat, and has not yet been spayed.
Visit with her in kennel No. 30, ID No. 35456.
Please note: Dogs listed at the shelter's Web page that are said to be “on hold” are not yet cleared for adoption.
To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at