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- Written by: Editor
LAKE COUNTY – Lake Family Resource Center is once again offering the American Lung Association “Freedom from Smoking” tobacco cessation program beginning on May 18.
“Freedom from Smoking”, the leading smoking cessation program in the United States for over 25 years, shows participants how to quit smoking for good in a supportive setting.
The classes are free to Lake County residents and are offered in two locations – Lakeport and Clearlake.
The Clearlake classes will take place at Lake Family Resource Center, 14264 Austin Road (across from Burns Valley School). Classes will meet from 10 a.m. to noon.
The Lakeport classes will take place at the Sutter Lakeside Wellness Center, in the Healing House, 5176 Hill Road East. Classes will meet from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Participants meet weekly with a small group of people so everyone attending gets personal attention.
No two smokers are alike, so the program helps everyone create their own quit plan. Because support of others is important while quitting, being with a group who understands the challenges of quitting helps at a time when support is most needed.
You CAN be smoke free by summer. Millions of people have quit. You can, too. Lake Family Resource Center looks forward to helping you achieve your goals.
For more information, and to register for the classes call Joy Swetnam or Glenn Koeppel, Lake Family Resource Center, at 707-279-0563 or email
Pre-registration is not required – drop-ins are always welcome.
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- Written by: Office of Assemblyman Wes Chesbro
SACRAMENTO – The State Assembly’s Health Committee has approved a bill by First District Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D-North Coast) that would require health plans to maintain sufficient provider networks to ensure their customers have access to physicians.
“When insurance companies charge premiums and then fail to provide the health care, it is plain and simple fraud and should be prohibited,” Chesbro said. “This bill is about putting a stop to the abuses of health insurance companies who shrink provider networks after enrolling members in their plans.
“Last year, Anthem Blue Cross canceled contracts statewide with 53,000 doctors who serve Healthy Families kids, attempting to force these doctors to accept significantly reduced rates,” he added. “Understandably, many doctors refused to sign these new contracts, resulting in huge reductions to Anthem’s provider network.”
AB 2586 would require that network directories are accurate and up to date. If a provider network is substantially modified the insurer must demonstrate to the regulator, prior to making the change, there will still be an adequate provider network. The state Department of Managed Health Care would be required to ensure a plan’s compliance with current network adequacy standards during its periodic on-site medical review.
“AB 2586 is a simple measure that will bring more accountability and transparency to health plan provider networks to ensure that patients can access a health-care provider when they need one,” Chesbro said.
The California Medical Association is the sponsor of AB 2586. The bill is also supported by the American College of Emergency Physicians, California Dental Association, California Chiropractic Association, California Hospital Association, California Psychological Association, Children Now, Health Access and the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.
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- Written by: Office of Assemblyman Wes Chesbro
SACRAMENTO – The California Mental Health Advocacy Conference has awarded Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D-North Coast) a “California Champions of Change Award.”
In addition to the award, Chesbro received special recognition at the conference earlier this month in Los Angeles for his work with mental health clients and family members to effect change as a member of the State Assembly, State Senate and the California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC).
Chesbro also was recognized for his pioneering efforts to reduce seclusion and restraints, and to promote dignity through the establishment of the California Memorial Project.
“Assemblymember Chesbro was chosen to receive this award based on his leadership in advancing human dignity, for his enduring support for mental health services in California and for championing the California Memorial Project,” said Eduardo Vega, program director of Empowerment and Advocacy for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, member of MHSOAC and director of the conference. “Chesbro has been instrumental in making California a better place to live for individuals and families affected by disabilities.”
Chesbro created the California Memorial Project with legislation as a state senator in 2002.
Between 1852 and the 1960s an estimated 45,000 people who had been living in state institutions died and were buried in unmarked or un-numbered mass graves on state lands.
The mission of the California Memorial Project is to identify the locations of remains, find and restore lost graves and honor those who were buried in them.
“It is an honor to receive this award,” Chesbro said. “In 2002 I was lucky enough to partner with the California Network of Mental Health Clients, Disability Rights California’s Peer Self-Advocacy Units and People First of California in authoring legislation to create the California Memorial Project. This important piece of legislation was the product of hard work between all the stakeholders working towards the common goal of recapturing the dignity of those who died and were buried in institutions throughout the state.”
In the current legislative session, Chesbro is the author of ACR 123, which would establish the third Monday of September to memorialize these Californians.
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- Written by: Editor
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A new non-invasive surgery procedure, or surgery without an incision, for those suffering from gastroesophegeal reflux disease (GERD) is now available from Keith Donald, M.D., general surgeon at Sutter Lakeside Hospital.
Dr. Donald is the first specialist in Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, Colusa and Yolo counties to be trained on the TIF (Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication) procedure.
Unlike medications that only relieve symptoms like heartburn and nighttime reflux, the incisionless TIF procedure with the EsophyX devise reconstructs the natural valve that stops acid from coming up through the esophagus.
This revolutionary surgery technique has proven to be able to reduce and possibly eliminate GERD symptoms such as acid reflux, heartburn, frequent swallowing, chronic cough and intolerance to certain foods.
“The TIF procedure is quite unique.” stated Dr. Donald. “The entire procedure occurs through an instrument inserted through the mouth, not through an incision in the abdomen, which offers less pain, no scar and a rapid recovery. This procedure can significantly improve the quality of life for our patients.”
With millions of Americans diagnosed with GERD and not fully satisfied with their treatment options, EsophyX offers an excellent alternative.
“Recent studies of EsophyX have shown that the procedure can reduce patients’ dependency on medications with 70 percent of patients remaining symptom free after two years,” said Dr. Donald who has performed hundreds of minimally invasive procedures for GERD patients. “We are very excited to be able to offer our patients the same incredible benefits as more invasive procedures without incisions.”
Sutter Lakeside Hospital will host a patient education seminar on Wednesday, May 5, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church Fellowship Hall at 3500 Hill Road East in Lakeport. Dr. Donald will discuss this new procedure, showing renderings of the actual surgery, and will answer your questions.
“When patients hear that they will be able to eat and drink the foods they love, and sleep in any position without reflux symptoms, they understand that this procedure has the ability to give them a new lease on life,” Dr. Donald said.
For more information, please visit www.sutterlakeside.org or call Dr. Donald’s office at 707-263-4108.
If you would like to attend the seminar, please RSVP to Angie Lagle, Sutter Lakeside Marketing, at 707-262-5121.
Being the health care provider of choice, Sutter Lakeside Hospital is committed to providing access to high quality, affordable health and wellness services to the residents of Lake County. The hospital seeks to enhance the well being of people in the communities they serve through a not-for-profit commitment to compassion and excellence in health care services.