LUCERNE, Calif. – Lucerne residents could be looking at more water rate increases beginning in 2014.

On July 5, California Water Service Co. requested approval to increase rates in 2014, beginning an 18-month water rate review process mandated by the independent state agency responsible for setting the utility’s rates, the California Public Utilities Commission.

To lessen the impact on customers, Cal Water is requesting that the necessary increase be phased in over three years, said Cal Water Redwood Valley District Manager Gay Guidotti.

Guidotti said that, typically, the majority of the increase becomes effective in the first year, and smaller inflation-type increases in the second and third years.

If the CPUC agrees with Cal Water’s request, the typical residential customer would see their monthly bill increase by 77.1 percent between 2014 to 2016.

That breaks down to $18.51, or 62 cents per day, for a 29.4-percent increase in 2014; $25.93, or 86 cents per day, for a 31.9-percent increase in 2015; and $16.94, or 56 cents per day, or 15.8 percent in 2016.

Based on those numbers, residential customers would pay at least $226.30 more over the course of 2014, $313.90 more in 2015 and $204.40 in 2016. Water rates would increase by $2.04 a day over those three years.

Supervisor Denise Rushing is concerned by the proposal.

“You would think that by now Cal Water would have learned that it is they who are perpetuating an economic down spiral in the town of Lucerne with some of the highest water rates in the state,” she said. “They should be working with the PUC and legislators to develop alternatives to the standard rate-making procedures for disadvantaged communities. These alternatives might include a market-reality-based cap.”

She added, “In this desperate economy, as people are losing their homes, to propose these kinds of rate increases is wrong. It further perpetuates the difficulty for those that remain on their system. Will the last home and business left standing pay the full cost of the plant?”

Rushing said it’s time for Cal Water to recognize that standard cost-plus ratemaking does not work in this circumstance. She said she was pleading with the company to help turn the Lucerne economy around.

“In our county owned systems, we have seen rising costs of treatment as well and are only increasing rates for the most essential investments and are finding ways to save money,” she said. “Seventy-seven percent is outrageous, especially on top of the increases to date and the high rates already in place.”

Cal Water reported that it is asking to increase the Rate Support Fund benefit for Lucerne customers, which is a subsidy funded by other Cal Water districts to benefit customers in smaller, higher-cost districts.

During the 18-month review process, expense forecasts can be refined and capital projects can be deferred, resulting in a lower increase than initially requested.

In the last three-year rate review process in 2009, Cal Water initially requested an increase of 54.9 percent; a final increase of 41.8 percent became effective in 2011.

In 2005, the company sought a 247-percent increase, receiving approval from the CPUC for a 121-percent rate increase in 2006, as Lake County News has reported.

Company: Water costs rising

Cal Water said a rate increase is needed to cover higher expenses associated with operating and maintaining the water system, including those incurred to meet strict water quality standards and environmental regulations, make safety improvements and inspections, improve preventative maintenance, and make infrastructure improvements.

In addition, water sales revenue, which helps pay fixed operating costs, has declined over the last three years, requiring the rate for each unit of water to increase to cover the same costs, the company said.

“Unfortunately, water costs are rising, not just here, but throughout the country. Many of them – such as costs for materials, water production and water treatment – are increasing faster than the rate of inflation,” said Gay Guidotti.

“Also, water use is going down, and water utilities have a lot of fixed costs that stay the same regardless of how much water customers use,” Guidotti said. “That results in higher per-unit water costs. The good news is, some variable costs decrease when customers use less water, and those cost decreases are factored in. And conservation can save customers money in the long-term by enabling us to avoid having to invest in new sources of supply to meet higher demand.”

Guidotti said that if water usage had not decreased, the typical residential customer would see an even greater increase in his or her total water bill.

The reduction in overall water usage increases the per-unit cost of water, but the combination of variable cost savings and the customer using fewer units of water results in a total bill that will be lower than it would have been without water conservation efforts, she said.
 
Cal Water is proposing a number of water system infrastructure upgrades to increase reliability and fire protection and ensure good water quality, including: new water mains, storage tank maintenance, and enhancements to comply with water quality regulations.

The California Public Utilities Commission will thoroughly audit Cal Water’s expenses, plans and operations during the 18-month review process.

It is responsible for setting rates that reflect the actual, dollar-for-dollar costs of providing water service and allow Cal Water to earn a return only on the funds it invests in water system infrastructure, similar to the interest that would be paid on a loan if the funds were borrowed from a bank.

Customers are invited to submit comments in writing or at public participation hearings, if held by the commission.

“We are very sensitive to the need to operate as efficiently as possible,” Guidotti said. “We watch every penny closely because we know that our operations affect customer rates.”

Cal Water serves about 3,600 people through 1,900 service connections in Lucerne and parts of Duncans Mills, Guerneville, Dillon Beach, Noel Heights and Santa Rosa. The company has provided water service in the area since 2000.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A nearly 4,200-acre complex of five wildland fires near Maxwell in Colusa County has been fully contained.

The Sites Complex, burning since last Sunday, was reported 100-percent contained at approximately 4,185 acres Thursday evening, according to a Cal Fire report issued just after 7:30 p.m.

While fully contained, Cal Fire said smoke may still be visible within the complex’s control lines.

The Sites Complex’s full containment came a day ahead of Cal Fire’s previous estimates.

No structures were destroyed and no evacuations had been required, but Cal Fire reported a total of five minor injuries as a result of the fires.

On Thursday evening, approximately 712 personnel, 37 engines, 26 fire crews and four bulldozers remained on the scene of the fire, located along Sites Lodoga Road between the town of Sites and East Park Road, according to Cal Fire.

While some personnel already had been released from the incident, firefighters and equipment are expected to remain on scene for mop up operations for several days, Cal Fire said.

No cause for the fire has yet been reported.

Cal Fire Incident Management Team 4 will be transitioning command of the incident to the local Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With Lake County’s air basin continuing to see an influx of smoke from the Mill Fire in the Mendocino National Forest, county air quality officials issued another air quality alert for Thursday.

Lake County Air Quality Management District reported that because of the current weather patterns and the fact that the Mill Fire in Colusa County is still burning, Lake County is experiencing unhealthy air quality.

Air quality values have exceeded state health based particulate standards for small respirable
particulate and Ozone (photochemical smog).

The prediction for Thursday – given expected wind conditions and levels of particulate and ozone presently trapped in the air basin – is air quality levels that will be “moderate” to “unhealthy for
sensitive individuals” in Lake County, the agency reported.

Greatest concern exists from midmorning through late afternoon, with conditions expected to improve starting midafternoon as the ridge of high pressure begins to break down allowing the west winds to
start clearing out the smoke, according to the report.

Conditions are forecast to improve through the weekend resulting in a forecast for healthier air quality and cooler temperatures.

The moderate to unhealthy for sensitive individuals alert results from smoke transported by winds and ozone generated with the smoke, high temperatures, significant sunlight and humidity, the district said.

The smoke and sunlight cause chemical reactions in the air that further reduces visibility by forming secondary particles in addition to those already in the smoke. These particles draw the moisture out of the air, growing in number and size, making the haze even worse.

Smoky conditions can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and air passages, which can be hazardous for sensitive individual including young children, the elderly, individuals with heart conditions or chronic lung disease such as asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory conditions. The heat can make the stress worse, especially if exercising hard.

Residual haze and particulate from the many ongoing wildfires can be expected to continue throughout Lake County until the fires are out, the district reported.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – More smoke rose into a column over the horizon on Thursday as firefighters used burnout operations to thin fuel in the path of the state’s largest wildland fire.

The Mill Fire reached 18,985 acres on Thursday, with 40 percent of the blaze contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Full containment is anticipated next Friday, July 20.

The firefighting effort has cost a reported $5 million so far.

The fire has been burning in brush and timber for nearly a week in the Colusa County side of the Mendocino National Forest, north and east of Upper Letts Lake. The cause remains under investigation.

Firefighters made progress securing fire lines along the east and west flanks of the fire, and the north flank continued to hold well, according to an incident team report.

Forest officials reported that the burnout operations began Thursday afternoon along the southern and eastern flanks of the fire, and were set to continue into the night. Crews used aerial and hand ignition techniques to burn out fuels and strengthen containment lines.

Where slope and wind direction aligned, the fire continued to back down the slope and run uphill, the incident team reported.

The resources and personnel assigned to the incident remain substantial.

Approximately 1,582 firefighting personnel were on scene Thursday, along with 29 Type 1 crews, 13 Type 2 crews, eight helicopters, 100 engines, 19 dozers and 12 water tenders.

A closure order remains in effect for the Mendocino National Forest for all roads and trails in the recreation area outside Stonyford on the south central portion of the Grindstone Ranger District.

Officials said the fire has impacted 90 miles – or two-thirds – of the Grindstone Ranger District’s off-highway vehicle trail system.

On Thursday, the Bureau of Reclamation announced that East Park Reservoir in Colusa County was closed to recreational activities due to safety concerns including air quality and emergency vehicles operating in the area.

Local Forest Service officials and the incident management team are in close communication with local air quality management districts, and also are working with agricultural business operations in nearby areas. In addition, the Forest Service and the California Air Resources Board have set up smoke monitors.

The fire has resulted in air quality alerts in Lake and Mendocino counties, with clearer conditions and slightly cooler temperatures expected Friday.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Officials said Thursday morning that a wildland fire burning in the Mendocino National Forest had grown in acreage but another near Maxwell was being held to its lines and getting closer to full containment.

The Mill Fire in the Colusa County side of the forest, burning near Upper Letts Lake, was at 17,300 acres and 38-percent containment on Thursday morning, while the Sites Complex, also in Colusa County, remained at 4,185 acres, with its containment increasing to 90 percent.

Causes have not yet been determined for either fire.

Approximately 1,549 firefighting personnel were on scene Thursday morning. Dedicated resources for the Mill include 29 Type 1 crews, 12 Type 2 crews, eight helicopters, 100 engines, 20 dozers and 12 water tenders, the Mendocino National Forest reported.

Forest officials said the Mill Fire had resulted in another injury since Wednesday, bringing the total to three.

Five outbuildings have been destroyed, and there have been evacuations from campgrounds in the area of the fire and from small nearby communities, according to the report. The cost of the fire so far is estimated at $4.5 million.

Forest officials expect the fire to be fully contained on Friday, July 20.

Meanwhile, on Thursday the Sites Complex had 712 personnel, 37 engines, 24 fire crews, one helicopter, four bulldozers and seven water tenders, Cal Fire reported.

There have been four minor injuries as a result of the fire, which so far hasn’t destroyed any structures or required any evacuations.

Cal Fire said the Sites Complex is anticipated to be fully contained this Friday.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Support for a National Conservation Area (NCA) within the Berryessa Snow Mountain region is continuing to gain momentum.

On Wednesday Sen. Barbara Boxer introduced the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area Act.

The bill, along with H.R. 5545 – which was introduced on May 8 by Reps. Mike Thompson, John Garamendi and Lynn Woolsey – will secure permanent protection of much of the federal public lands within this region.

“The Berryessa Snow Mountain region is one of California’s treasures, and this bill will help ensure that it is protected for future generations to enjoy,” said Boxer. “The designation of a new National Conservation Area will not only help preserve the region’s natural resources, it will also promote tourism and create jobs in local communities.”

“We’re thrilled that Sen. Boxer has chosen to introduce legislation to protect this beautiful region which is so rich in ecological diversity and cultural importance,” said Sara Husby, executive director for Tuleyome. “Sen. Boxer is a true champion for our public lands and wild places. It’s exciting to see so many of our local communities, businesses, elected officials, and recreation groups behind the proposal and support continues to grow.”

Whether it’s hiking to the 80 foot high Zim Zim waterfall, fly-fishing in Putah Creek, boating on Lake Berryessa, or viewing wildflowers and wildlife, the Berryessa Snow Mountain region offers something for everyone.

Tuleyome said protecting the area is a win-win for all. According to the group, an NCA will secure continued recreation opportunities and provide well-managed recreation and user education for future and current generations.

“This legislation will not only preserve a very special ecosystem of California, but also preserves opportunities for high quality recreation for mountain bicycling, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, horseback riding, rafting and motorized use,” said Tom Ward, California policy director for the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). “We are strongly supportive of efforts to protect sensitive habitats and to provide opportunities for the public to reconnect with the outdoors.”

Protecting special places not only increases recreational opportunities, but it also increases tourism, and creates a desirable place for people to live and work.

A recent study done by Headwaters Economics ( www.headwaterseconomics.org ) found that the counties around Giant Sequoia National Monument saw jobs grow by 11 percent and real personal income rise by 24 percent after the area was protected. It’s estimated that there is the same potential for the Berryessa Snow Mountain region.

“We are very pleased that Senator Boxer has introduced a companion bill in the Senate to protect the federal public lands of Berryessa Snow Mountain region as a National Conservation Area,” said Napa County Supervisor Diane Dillon. “The NCA designation will help to ensure that this region remains wild for our children and their children. It is not only good for the land but also for our local economies, which will benefit from the income and revenue generated by those who come to enjoy the outdoors in such a special area. We look forward to passage of this legislation.”

Visit www.berryessasnowmountain.org for more information.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – After air quality warnings were issued earlier in the week due to wildland fire smoke pouring into the air basin, local air quality officials reported that conditions on Friday are expected to be better.

Lake County Air Quality Management District said conditions are improving and good air quality is forecast once again for Lake County on Friday.

However, the district urged community members to exercise caution, as conditions can change rapidly.

District officials attributed the smoke and haze that degraded air quality this week to the Mill Fire in the Colusa County portion of the Mendocino National Forest.

The fire, burning since Sunday, had scorched nearly 19,000 acres by Thursday night, according to U.S. Forest Service officials.

Neighboring Mendocino County also is under air quality health alerts due to the fire.

Lake County Air Quality Management District reported that the fire resulted in ozone and particulate levels exceeding allowed state and federal health-based standards in the past two days on Wednesday and Thursday. The standards are designed to protect sensitive groups of the population from small respirable particulate, ultrafine inhalable particulate and ozone.

Smoky conditions such as those seen in Lake County this week can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and air passages, which can be hazardous in young children, the elderly, individuals with heart conditions or chronic lung disease such as asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory conditions.

Weather patterns – including sustained westerly transport winds – and the growing control of the Mill Fire resulted in improved healthful air beginning Thursday afternoon, according to the district.

However, residual haze and particulate from the wildfires can be expected to intermittently impact areas of Lake County until fire is out, the district reported.

Smoke impacts in Lake County are still possible, at times smoke can be transported to sea within a circulation cell, and then return back over Northern California in a wide band of smoke filled air, or the wind can shift due to changing weather patterns transporting smoke directly into the basin, according to the district.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Firefighters continued to make progress on a wildland fire that’s been burning in the Mendocino National Forest for nearly a week.

The Mill Fire, burning north and east of Upper Letts Lake within the Colusa County side of the forest since last Saturday, reached 16,800 acres late Wednesday, according to Mendocino National Forest officials.

The fire edged up about 800 acres on Wednesday, with containment improving to 38 percent, the agency said.

Full containment is anticipated on Friday, July 20, according to the agency’s report.

The investigation is still ongoing into the cause of the fire, which has burned thousands of acres of mixed brush and timber, destroyed five outbuildings and resulted in two injuries, forest officials reported.

The firefighting effort to date has cost a reported $4.2 million.

Approximately 1,542 personnel were assigned to the fire on Wednesday, along with 28 Type 1 crews, 12 Type 2 crews, six helicopters, 99 engines, 20 dozers and 12 water tenders.

The incident command team reported that firefighters made good progress along the fire’s northern edge on Wednesday, with crews securing fire line and continuing mop up and patrol.

Planning also is under way for burnout operations, which officials said is used to strengthen containment lines and consume unburned fuel.

Also on Wednesday, the incident team managing the Mill Fire entered into unified command with Cal Fire due to the fire crossing into land under Cal Fire’s protection.

Smoke from the fire has led to the air quality management districts in both Mendocino and Lake counties issuing air quality alerts.

The U.S. Forest Service and the California Air Resources Board also have set up smoke monitors in affected communities including Stonyford, Fire Camp and Covelo.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

On Thursday Gov. Jerry Brown signed the California Homeowner Bill of Rights to halt the “abusive tactics” of loan servicers and protect struggling homeowners who are trying, in good faith, to renegotiate their mortgages.

“Californians should not have to suffer the abusive tactics of those who would push foreclosure behind the back of an unsuspecting homeowner,” said Gov. Brown. “These new rules make the foreclosure process more transparent so that loan servicers cannot promise one thing while doing the exact opposite.”

“The California Homeowner Bill of Rights will give struggling homeowners a fighting shot to keep their home,” said Attorney General Kamala Harris. “This legislation will make the mortgage and foreclosure process more fair and transparent, which will benefit homeowners, their community, and the housing market as a whole.”

The California Homeowner Bill of Rights, AB 278 and SB 900, was sponsored by Attorney General Harris. AB 278 was authored by Assembly Members Eng, Feuer, Mitchell and John A. Pérez. SB 900 was authored by Senators Leno, Evans, Corbett, DeSaulnier, Pavley and Steinberg.

These new laws make California the first state in the nation to take provisions in the National Mortgage Settlement, which covered the nation’s five largest mortgage loan servicers, and apply those rules to all mortgage servicers.

The laws offer hope for homeowners in communities like Lake County, where between 2008 and 2011 there were 3,000 foreclosures – meaning one out of every 12 homes was lost to the process – according to a recent oped authored by Harris.

The Homeowner Bill of Rights prohibits a series of inherently unfair bank practices that have needlessly forced thousands of Californians into foreclosure.

The law restricts dual-track foreclosures, where a lender forecloses on a borrower despite being in discussions over a loan modification to save the home.

It also guarantees struggling homeowners a single point of contact at their lender with knowledge of their loan and direct access to decision makers, and imposes civil penalties on fraudulently signed mortgage documents.

In addition, homeowners may require loan servicers to document their right to foreclose.

The laws will go into effect on January 1, 2013, and borrowers can access courts to enforce their rights under this legislation.

The Homeowner Bill of Rights builds upon and extends reforms first negotiated in the recent national mortgage settlement between 49 states and leading lenders.

Attorney General Harris secured up to $18 billion for California homeowners in that agreement, and has also built a Mortgage Fraud Strike Force to investigate crime and fraud associated with mortgages and foreclosures.

The California Homeowner Bill of Rights also contains a variety of bills outside of the conference committee process.

These will enhance law enforcement responses to mortgage and foreclosure-related crime, in part by empowering the attorney general to call a grand jury in response to financial crimes spanning multiple jurisdictions.

Additional elements will help communities fight blight related to foreclosure, and provide enhanced protections for tenants in foreclosed homes.

To learn more about how the bills impact California homeowners, visit www.oag.ca.gov .

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – The Mendocino National Forest is entering into fire restrictions beginning Friday, July 13, due to dry conditions and increased risk of wildfires. The fire restrictions will continue through the end of fire season.

Under the restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal fires or stoves are prohibited on the National Forest unless in the following designated recreation sites:

• Grindstone Ranger District – Red Bluff Recreation Area and Big Springs Day Use Area; Whitlock, Kingsley Glade, Sugarfoot Glade, Three Prong, Wells Cabin, Sugar Springs, Letts Lake, Mill Valley, Dixie Glade, Plaskett Meadows, Masterson, Little Stony, Grey Pine, Fouts Springs, Davis Flat, South Fork, Cedar Camp, Mill Creek, North Fork and Old Mill Campgrounds.
• Upper Lake Ranger District – Fuller Grove, Fuller Group Camp, Navy Camp, Pogie Point, Oak Flat, Sunset, Middle Creek, Deer Valley, Bear Creek, Penny Pines and Lower Nye Campgrounds.
• Covelo Ranger District – Eel River, Little Doe, Howard Lake and Hammerhorn Lake Campgrounds.

Visitors should be aware that due to the Mill Fire currently burning on the Mendocino National Forest, many recreation sites in the area west of Stonyford and south of Snow Mountain Wilderness are currently closed to visitors under Order Number 08-12-07.  This includes recreation areas from the Fouts Springs area through Letts Lake.

California Campfire Permits are not needed in the designated recreation sites listed. In all other areas of the Forest, lanterns or portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel will be allowed as long as the person has a current California Campfire Permit with them.

California Campfire Permits may be obtained at any Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management or CAL FIRE office in California, as well as most Forest Service field employees. They may also be obtained online at www.fs.usda.gov/main/mendocino/passes-permits/recreation .

The following activities are also prohibited as part of the fire restrictions:

• Smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or in the designated recreation sites listed above;
• Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame;
• Using explosives;
• Possessing, discharging or using any kind of fireworks.

Forest visitors will be able to continue riding Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) on designated roads and trails, provided that the vehicles are equipped with the required spark arresters.

Spark arresters are also required on chainsaws being used for people filling valid personal use wood cutting permits, and may also only be used on designated roads and trails.

“As we continue to work on the Mill Fire, we are reminded that the rugged terrain that makes the Mendocino such a remarkable place can be very conducive to the rapid spread of wildfire,” said Forest Supervisor Sherry Tune. “The public can help prevent wildfires, such as the Mill Fire, by respecting the fire restrictions and being careful when using anything with a flame or that can throw a spark while enjoying this spectacular forest.”

Temporary fire restrictions are put in place annually to protect natural resources and limit the threat of human-caused wildfires. Similar restrictions are going into effect on neighboring forests.

However, restrictions can vary by forest and visitors should check with the forest they plan on visiting for the latest fire restrictions and conditions.

For the Mendocino National Forest, the fire restrictions are formally referenced through Order Number 08-12-08.

Violation of these fire restrictions is punishable by a fine of no more than $5,000 for an individual, $10,000 for an organization, or up to six months imprisonment or both.

Fire season typically ends in late fall following a series of drenching, measurable rains in the mountains. An announcement will follow when fire restrictions are lifted.

For more information, please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316, or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino .

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A series of wildfires burning west of Maxwell in Colusa County are nearing full containment.

The Sites Complex, which began Sunday afternoon along Sites Lodoga Road, was reported to be at 80-percent containment on Wednesday night.

Cal Fire’s Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit reported that the fire has burned 4,185 acres. Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from increasing in acreage on Wednesday.

Full containment is anticipated to take place this Friday, Cal Fire said.

Approximately 1,102 firefighting personnel were on scene Wednesday, along with 62 engines, 42 fire crews, two helicopters, eight bulldozers and seven water tenders.

The fire’s cause still remains under investigation.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) on Wednesday voted against H.R. 6079, the Patients’ Rights Repeal Act.

This legislation was the House Majority’s 31st bill in the last 18 months to repeal all or parts of the Affordable Care Act.

The repeal of health care reform would end patient protections and raise health care costs for millions of Americans, Thompson’s office reported.

The bill passed the House by a vote of 244-185. It will now go to the Senate.

The Senate is not expected to pass the bill and President Obama has said he would veto the legislation if it reached his desk.

“Today the House took its 31st vote to repeal all or part of health care reform,” said Thompson. “Health care reform was in response to a national crisis. Businesses and individuals couldn’t afford health care. Hospitals, doctors, and clinics provided billions in uncompensated care and those costs were then passed on to consumers. So, we passed legislation that saves money, saves lives and provides access to quality, affordable health care. Instead of staging these political games and voting to return to this national crisis, we should be strengthening the reforms made to our health care system and focusing on getting people back to work.”

In California’s 1st Congressional District, more than 6,000 seniors in the “donut hole” have received prescription drug discounts worth more than $3 million, an average of more than $500 per senior, according to Thompson’s office.

Also, under Medicare, seniors now receive a free annual wellness visit and important preventive services, such as mammograms and colonoscopies. Nationally, more than 16 million have taken advantage of this provision in the first six months of 2012.

In addition, women can no longer be dropped by their insurance company if they become pregnant, and young adults can now join or stay on their parents’ health plan until their 26th birthday, if they do not have coverage of their own. Thompson’s office said 7,600 young adults in the First District now have health insurance because of this change.

Children younger than age 19 can no longer be denied coverage by an insurance company for having a pre-existing condition. In the First district, 37,000 children with pre-existing conditions are now protected from discrimination.

Small business owners can receive tax credits if they choose to offer coverage to their employees, and privately-insured Americans can no longer be dropped from coverage by insurance companies because they get sick, and insurance companies can no longer place a lifetime limit on their coverage. In the First District, 460,000 residents are no longer at risk of their insurers dropping their coverage when they get sick.

By 2014, virtually all of the law will go into effect. This will result in more than 32 million uninsured Americans gaining access to affordable coverage.

The law also will end the hidden taxes that all insured individuals currently pay for emergency room visits by people without insurance. Women will no longer be charged substantially higher premiums than men for the same coverage, and being a woman can no longer be treated as a “pre-existing condition” by insurance companies.

On Tuesday Thompson spoke in the House Floor in opposition to the House Majority’s repeal legislation. The full text of his statement is below.

“I rise in opposition to this legislation that represents the 31st time that we have voted, or will vote, to repeal parts, or all, of the Affordable Care Act.

“Instead of staging these political games, we should be spending our time strengthening the reforms that were made in the Affordable Care Act, and working together to put people back to work.

“The Affordable Care Act was passed in response to a national crisis. Businesses and individuals could not afford to buy health insurance.

“Hospitals, doctors, and clinics provided more than $100 billion a year in uncompensated care -- $50 million in my district alone. Now the good fairy doesn’t come and reimburse them for their care.  These costs are passed on to all of us who have health insurance in higher taxes and higher premiums, to the tune of $1,000 a year in higher health insurance premiums.

“People with preexisting conditions could not get coverage.

“People in my district were hitting their lifetime caps, or even annual caps, and being dropped by their insurance company.

“Others were self-employed and simply couldn’t afford to buy private insurance on the open market.

“This was a national crisis that we worked to try and fix, and this is the national crisis that the majority party would like to go back to.

“It’s not right, it’s not good for America, and it’s not good for Americans.

“So, on behalf of the millions of Americans who are already benefitting from the Affordable Care Act, I urge a ‘no’ vote on this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.”

Thompson represents California’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa and Yolo.