A new report allows Californians needing a coronary bypass to see which surgeons have the best and worst mortality rates for that operation. The report, released late last week, names and rates 302 surgeons who performed heart bypass operations at 121 California hospitals during 2003 and 2004. It was prepared by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development.

Every year the bicyclists of Push America, members of Pi Kappa Phi, ride from the west coast to the east coast making an annual stop here in Amador county. Yesterday the cyclists were welcomed to town for a luncheon at the St. Sava Mission and this morning the headed east on their coast to coast trek. Push America was established in 1976 by Durward Owen, the then Executive Director of Pi Kappa Phi. The idea was to mobilize Pi Kappa Phi members in an effort to create a work force that was the fraternity's undergraduate members. In 1977 Push America was established as a non-profit organization by Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. Ingenuity has allowed for Push America to develop into a collection of nationally recognized programs that promote a greater understanding of people with disabilities.

A little-known, under publicized, Medicare open-enrollment period that begins this Sunday, April 1st, could an unpleasant April Fool’s Day for seniors considering switching health plans, experts warn. The period which opens on Sunday is Called the "limited open enrollment period," and it allows people currently enrolled in the traditional Medicare program to sign up for Medicare Advantage plans that don't include drug coverage. Open enrollment runs from Sunday through December. Many Medicare beneficiaries are not familiar with the Medicare Advantage program and some senior advocates fear thousands of seniors could lose their drug coverage or switch to more expensive health insurance if they don't do their homework. Because some insurers are offering lower premiums and co-pays as well as perks such as eye exams, hearing aids and acupuncture treatments, there's ample incentive to switch. "This danger isn't being widely publicized at all," said David Lipschutz, staff attorney with California Health Advocates, which helps seniors understand Medicare benefits told the Oakland Tribune.

Jackson Creek Dental Group opened its doors on Saturday, February 3, 2007 to provide dental care to children, at no cost, who would not otherwise be able to receive this type of care.  They treated 53 children and provided services totaling over $11,000.Twenty-six of these children were referred to local dentists for further treatment as part of the Smiles For Kids program, and five were sent to specialists in Sacramento as part of the Sacramento District Dental Society’s Adopt-a-Child, Orthodontic, and Specialty Referral Care Programs.