New research from North Carolina State University shows that implementation of Medicare Part D has increased the number of people taking their prescribed medications as directed – so-called “medication adherence” – and reduced the likelihood that newly covered beneficiaries develop high blood pressure.

“These findings highlight how important health care access is to health outcomes,” said Jeffrey Diebold, an assistant professor of public administration at NC State and author of a paper describing the work. “Given the amount of money we’re paying for Part D, it’s good to know there are tangible benefits.

“This is especially relevant in light of recent reforms and proposals put forth by presidential candidates, such as allowing the federal government to negotiate with drug companies on pharmaceutical prices, which would increase access to prescription coverage,” Diebold said.

Medicare is designed to provide health care coverage for all U.S. citizens over the age of 65. Medicare Part D, which was implemented in 2006, expanded prescription drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries. Prior to Part D, approximately 30 percent of Medicare beneficiaries lacked prescription coverage and had to pay for prescription drugs out of pocket.

Most of these individuals are now covered under Part D, meaning that they pay less for their prescription drugs.

“The implementation of Part D should have improved medication adherence, since the drugs became more affordable,” Diebold said. “I wanted to know if this happened, and whether Part D actually reduced health risks for seniors. Prior work had shown a decrease in hospitalization rates, but no one has looked at markers related to specific health outcomes.”

For the study, Diebold examined data from 2000 to 2010 on 1,700 Medicare beneficiaries. Specifically, Diebold looked at self-reported health status and incidence of new high blood pressure diagnoses. High blood pressure is not a disease in itself, but significantly increases a person’s risk for heart disease or stroke.

“I found a significant and sustained improvement in self-reported health outcomes after the implementation of Part D,” Diebold said. “I also found a 50 percent reduction in cost-related nonadherence to drug regimens. Before implementation, 14 percent of people reported disruptions to medication adherence due to the cost of prescription drugs, and that dropped to 7 percent after implementation.”

In addition, according to Diebold’s estimates, Part D is responsible for a 5.6 percent reduction in the prevalence of high blood pressure. The reduction in new diagnoses is responsible for this improvement.

The improvements were concentrated among those newly covered beneficiaries who were continuously enrolled in a Part D plan after the establishment of the program in 2006.

Many of the conditions treated with medication require continuous use of the medication in order to be effective. By remaining covered, these individuals were more likely to take their medications as directed over time, which maximized their health benefits.

“These findings highlight the need to make coverage more affordable and more comprehensive,” Diebold said. “Recent provisions included in the Affordable Care Act should improve the program along each of these dimensions and build on the improvements evident in this analysis.”

The paper, “The Effects of Medicare Part D on Health Outcomes of Newly Covered Medicare Beneficiaries,” is published in Journals of Gerontology: Social Sciences.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Cache Creek Catering and Lake County Wine Studio present a monthly food and wine series featuring gourmet appetizers paired with select Lake County wines. 

Locally produced foods are proudly featured as key ingredients in recipes created by Cache Creek Catering.

The series is held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on the second Friday of each month. Reservations are required and include a 30-day complimentary membership to the Local Cuisine Scene (LCS) Club.

Club members will be offered private pairings, pairing consultations, special private catering rates, access to recipes and first option for seatings at LCS for members and their guests.

Friday, June 10, will feature food pairings with Lake County Rosé wines.

The first pairing will be Sol Rouge Rosé with a salad of red quinoa, farro, strawberries, fresh peas and spinach, with orange-shallot dressing. 

The second pairing features Olof Cellars Rosé of Barbera with an herb crusted pork tenderloin with plum pan sauce and Cippolini onions over creamy polenta. 

The dessert course will be watermelon fruit ice with lavender shortbread paired with Gregory Graham Rosé.

For reservations and additional information, contact Susan at 707-293-8752.

The gallery is located at 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The 1963 adventure drama “The Great Escape,” starring Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough and Charles Bronson, screens at the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport on Tuesday, June 14, at 1 and 6 p.m.

Based on a true story of Allied prisoners plotting to break out of a Nazi detention camp in World War II, the film is particularly notable for Steve McQueen’s portrayal of the irreverent “Cooler King” and for his spectacular motorcycle chase scene in which he performed his own stunts.

The movie is sponsored by the Law Office of Judy Conard, the Law Office of Mary Heare Amodio and John H. Tomkins Tax Consultants. Unrated with run time of 2 hours 50 minutes. 

Entry to the film is by donation.

The Soper Reese Theatre is located at 275 S. Main St., Lakeport, 707-263-0577, www.soperreesetheatre.com . 

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Michael (Mike) E. Armstrong of Lakeport passed peacefully on May 27, 2016, at his home surrounded by his family after a short illness.
 
Mike worked for the California State Department of Corrections for 27 years. He loved his family, friends, flying and his Harley Davidson motorcycle. Mike was an active member of Mendocino County Harley Owners Group, taking many a ride with his fellow HOG members.
 
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Talley and Betty Armstrong, and his grandmother, Geneva Hafner.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; son, Josh and his wife Shelly Armstrong; son, Jared Armstrong; granddaughter, Rylie Armstrong; and sister-in-law, Judy and her husband Forrest Carrico.
 
A memorial service will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 N. High St. in Lakeport, on Sunday, June 12, at 2 p.m.
 
The family prefers donations be made to Hospice Services of Lake County in his memory.

For further information please contact Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-262-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The next free household hazardous waste dropoff event will be held Friday, June 17, and Saturday, June 18, at Lake County Waste Solutions Transfer Station and Recycling Yard, 230 Soda Bay Road in Lakeport.
 
Hours will be from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Households can bring up to 15 gallons of toxic items free of charge. Fees will be charged for amounts over 15 gallons.

Items that are accepted include paint, solvents, fuels, five-gallon propane tanks (empty), pool chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, batteries, fluorescent light tubes (up to 60 linear feet) and other toxic materials that cannot be put in the trash.

Items that cannot be accepted include televisions, computer monitors, ammunition, explosives, radioactive materials or infectious wastes.

To learn how and where to properly dispose these items, please visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us or contact the recycling hotline at 707-263-1980.

Household hazardous waste dropoff services are provided to Lake County residential households by the Integrated Waste Management Division of the Lake County Public Services Department and the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).

Businesses also are welcome to use this convenient service to properly dispose of hazardous waste and protect our environment, however, businesses must pay for this county-funded service and first make an appointment. Business appointments can be made by calling Lake County Waste Solutions at 707-234-6400.

Beginning in June, ask about receiving a free puncture-proof sharps container at one of these events to use for free sharps disposal.

Free recycling options for residents and businesses:

· Recycled paint is available to both residents and businesses at Lake County Waste Solutions and South Lake Refuse and Recycling Center first-come, first-served basis in five gallon containers. Colors include tan, brown, gray and pink.

· Used motor oil and cooking oil can be dropped off by businesses and residents, at Lake County Waste Solutions, South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center, and the North Shore Fire Protection District station at 6257 Seventh Ave. in Lucerne. Visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us for more locations.

· Electronics (e-waste) can be dropped off at Lake County Waste Solutions and at South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center.

Lake County Waste Solutions
230 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport
888-718-4888 or 707-234-6400
Monday-Saturday, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
www.candswaste.com

South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center
16015 Davis St., Clearlake
Open daily, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
707-994-8614
www.southlakerefuse.com

The free Household Hazardous Waste drop off program is subsidized by the Lake County Public Services Department, Integrated Waste Management Division and CalRecycle as a public service to Lake County households.

For more information about recycling, reusing and reducing, visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us , call the recycling hotline at 707-263-1980 or like Lake County Public Services on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LCPublicServices?fref=ts .

SACRAMENTO – A bill by Assemblymember Bill Dodd (D-Napa) which aims to protect students and teachers during earthquakes took an important step forward this week, passing the state Assembly with unanimous bipartisan support.

Dodd’s bill would require school districts in seismically active zones in California to ensure that the contents of their classroom, like heavy bookshelves or filing cabinets, comply with state earthquake safety guidelines.

"Earthquakes are a part of life in California. We can’t count on earthquakes to strike outside of school hours, and we can’t afford to wait for tragedy before we take common sense steps to protect our children and teachers,” said Assemblymember Bill Dodd. “I’m thankful my fellow Assemblymembers rallied together to advance classroom safety.”

In August of 2014, Assemblymember Dodd’s district and hometown of Napa was rocked by a massive 6.0 earthquake.

Inspections of Napa schools following the South Napa Earthquake revealed significant damage inside classrooms, totaling millions of dollars.

The shifting contents and blocked exists could have been life-threatening had the earthquake occurred during school hours. These findings are not specific to Napa. Similar results have been identified following numerous earthquakes throughout the state.

The notion of securing classroom contents is not new to California. The state of California has already invested time and resources into creating guidelines for securing the contents of classrooms in the event of an earthquake.

However, there is currently nothing in state law that requires school districts to adhere to the established guidelines produced by the Division of the State Architects.

Dodd’s legislation, AB 1783 would require that all seismically active school districts in California proactively inspect school contents and equipment to ensure they are within state guidelines.

“What we found after the Napa Earthquake was alarming … we found classrooms that we couldn’t even get inside because things had fallen in the doorway,” said Don Evans, member of the Napa Valley Unified School District, who testified in support of Dodd’s bill earlier this year. “We believe the preventative approach is the way to go and we believe future damage is controllable.”

Following the South Napa Earthquake, the Napa Valley Unified School District completed an inspection of its facilities and addressed the issues that were identified. While some other school districts have taken these steps, many have not.

Dodd’s bill now advances to the state Senate along with his measures to promote gender pay equity and increase water storage and reliability. Both of which also passed the Assembly this week with bipartisan support.

Assemblymember Bill Dodd represents the 4th Assembly District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Yolo, Sonoma, Lake, Solano and Colusa counties. You can learn more about Assemblymember Dodd and the district at www.asm.ca.gov/dodd .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Loris Yiskis passed peacefully on March 27, 2016, at 85.

Preceded in death by husband Clifford Yiskis and daughter Rhea Ellis.

Survived by daughter, Renee Yiskis; son, Louis and his wife Lori; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Loris loved supporting Clifford's racing career roadsters to super modified. Both will be missed.

SACRAMENTO – California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith has completely lifted the health advisory for rock crabs caught off the coast of Santa Barbara County in state waters around the Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and San Miguel islands (Channel Islands).

This comes after recent tests showing traces of domoic acid have declined to low or undetectable levels in crabs caught near the islands.

Friday's decision follows the March 28 announcement partially lifting the advisory from the Channel Islands while keeping an area between Santa Rosa Island and Santa Cruz Island under the advisory.

The advisory remains in effect for rock crabs caught in state waters north of Latitude 36° 58.72′ N. (near Sand Hill Bluff, approximately 9 miles north of the Santa Cruz Harbor entrance).

CDPH and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment concur that rock crabs caught in the areas around the Channel Islands are safe to consume.

However, as a precaution, consumers are advised not to eat the viscera (internal organs, also known as “butter” or “guts”) of crabs.

The viscera usually contain much higher levels of domoic acid than crab body meat. When whole crabs are cooked in liquid, domoic acid may leach from the viscera into the cooking liquid.

Water or broth used to cook whole crabs should be discarded and not used to prepare dishes such as sauces, broths, soups or stews (for example, cioppino or gumbo), stocks, roux, dressings or dips.

The best ways to reduce risk are:

1)    Remove the crab viscera and rinse out the body cavity prior to cooking, or
2)    Boil or steam whole crabs, instead of frying or broiling, and discard cooking liquids.

Symptoms of domoic acid poisoning can occur within 30 minutes to 24 hours after eating toxic seafood. In mild cases, symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache and dizziness. These symptoms disappear within several days.

In severe cases, the victim may experience trouble breathing, confusion, disorientation, cardiovascular instability, seizures, excessive bronchial secretions, permanent loss of short-term memory (a condition known as Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning), coma or death. There have been no reported illnesses associated with this year’s domoic acid event.

Domoic acid accumulation in seafood is a natural occurrence that is related to a “bloom” of a particular single-celled plant. The conditions that support the growth of this plant are impossible to predict. While the bloom that occurred last year has dissipated, it takes a period of time for the organisms feeding on the phytoplankton to eliminate the domoic acid from their bodies.

CDPH will continue to coordinate its efforts with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the fishing community to collect rock crab samples from the central and northern California coast until the domoic acid levels have dissipated.

To receive updated information about shellfish poisoning and quarantines, call CDPH’s toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133. For additional information, visit CDPH’s Natural Marine Toxins: PSP and Domoic Acid Web page and CDPH’s Domoic Acid health information Web page at http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/environhealth/water/Documents/Shellfish/Natural_Marine_Toxins_2015.pdf .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Ted Mandrones is the most qualified candidate running for District 4 supervisor. This is based upon his business experience, his experience in local city government, his ethics and integrity, his charitable endeavors, and his ability to work towards common sense solutions to complex problems.

With regards to the annexation of South Main Street, Ted’s solution of developing a 10-year plan to make that transition, if South Main community wishes it to happen, is the sensible solution. It does not create a sudden 25-percent drain on the county’s treasury and the ability to serve county needs, but does start allowing the city of Lakeport a path to the future.

Those promoting “instant” annexation are not doing the public any favor with their plan. An “instant” plan would limit the county’s ability to provide the services that are of dire necessity. An example would be the inability to provide and support law enforcement with wage equity and cost of living increases.

Ted sees the need for developing key fundamental improvements including providing reliable and fast Internet capabilities countywide and making sure that ordinances are modified and improved in order to get homes and infrastructure rebuilt as quickly as possible.

His skills and experience make him well suited to deal with the challenges that the county faces. Those challenges include:

· Finding better paths towards making county law enforcement financially competitive in order to retain good officers.

· Continuing to find better ways and means to help the folks trying to get back into homes following the fires.

· Getting a consensus amongst parties involved in the erosion at Lakeside Heights.

· Increasing interest in the development of local business.

· Developing a workable agreement with the owners, the county and potential buyers of Konocti Harbor Resort.

· Creating opportunities to invite business to this county and using the airport as part of the solution for that activity.

· Continuing to develop tourism and support it by aiding in the infrastructure improvement necessary to grow it.

· Bring in the most reliable, fastest Internet capabilities available to Lake County.

Ted Mandrones believes in the rule of law, in supporting at risk youth, ensuring the rights of the elderly on fixed incomes and promoting our county in reasonable ways to provide a better future.

For information on Ted’s experience, please visit his Web site at www.tedmandrones.com . If you have concerns, please give him a call at 707-263-4836.

Scott Knickmeyer, Lakeport; Jim Goetz, Lakeport; Arlene Hansen, Lakeport; Gail Strong, Nice, and Debbie White, Kelseyville