In this Issue... Page May Meeting Recap 2 I Will Not Be Afraid of AI 3 June Meeting Speakers 4 Senior Advisory Council Meetings 5 Postcard O'Rama 6 David Cassirer Reflects on Legacy 7 Event Photos 8 Board Members 9
June 7 7 PM MEETING La Mesa Community Center 4975 Memorial Drive (social time begins at 6:30)
The progressive VOICE voice
The Progressive Voice is the monthly newsletter of the La Mesa - Foothills Democratic Club, serving the communities of La Mesa, Mt. Helix, San Carlos, Del Cerro, Allied Gardens, and the SDSU and other East County areas since 1984.
JUNE 2025
La Mesa City Council Meetings Tuesday, June 11, 6:00PM Tuesday, June 25, 6:00PM Link for live stream available at: cityoflamesa.us/247/City-Council
La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club General Monthly Meeting Minutes May 7, 2025 Location: La Mesa Community Center 4975 Memorial Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942 The meeting was called to order by President Tina Rynberg at 7:00 PM. The pledge of alliance was led by Suzanne Till. The agenda was approved by members-unanimous consent Tina announced that the San Diego County Supervisor Race will be held on July 1, 2025. The LMFDC will support Paloma Aguirre for this position and the guests and members will be asked to write postcards for Paloma Aguirre at the meeting. Information about the race: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_San_Diego_County_Board_of_Supervisors_special_election https://www.paloma-aguirre.com/ Tina requested members/guests to get involved by joining Go-Team https://www.sddemocrats.org/goteam.html Merrill Perry requested volunteers make posters for the Flag Day Parade on June 14, 2025. Prepare to write to Senators and Republicans on May 10, 2025 at Merrill’s community pool. Merrill passed out sign-up sheets for volunteers. Paloma Aguirre was unable to attend the meeting. Aida Castaneda, Paloma’s campaign manager, was our guest speaker. Aida thanked the LMFDC for their support because, as she stated, “when LMFDC supports a candidate, they win!” She thanked the members and guests for their support. Paloma is the mayor of Imperial Beach, which has a population of about 29,000 residents. The Board of Supervisors district has about 670,000 residents, with a low voter rate of about 370,000 voters. The district has 120,000 registered democrats and 82,000 registered republicans, plus 120,000 residents who decline to state. John McCann received 42% and Paloma received 32% of the votes in the primary election. Aida spoke about Paloma's educational background and work history. She is working on the Tijuana River Valley crisis. Aida provided the addresses for the 700 postcards that the members/guests will be addressing to Spring Valley registered democrats. Campaign kickoff-Saturday, May 10 at 10AM at Friendship Park, 276 4th Ave, Chula Vista. Aida reviewed the data from the primary and provided a breakdown of areas with voter turnout and percentage of votes for Paloma and McCann. Please visit Paloma website on how you can volunteer to get her elected: https://www.paloma-aguirre.com/ Janet Castaños announced the Grossmont Union High School meeting on Thursday, May 8th at 5PM for the rally and 6 PM for the meeting at 100 Murray Drive, El Cajon. The school board trustees will vote to terminate 49 credentialed teachers, counselors, assistant principals, and 9 teacher librarians, as well as 12 support staffers, in opposition of students, parents, voters, teacher’s union’s, etc. Scott Eckert, Robert Shield, Gary Woods,PhD, and Jim Kelly are the four trustees on the board who will vote to eliminate these positions. There is a conflict of interest for these four trustees https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/recall-effort-launched-against-4-guhsd-trustees-who-refuse-rescind-mass-firings Max Coston spoke about the current recall effort to remove the above trustees. Max spoke about the need for volunteers and donations. Wadad Dubbelday spoke about how these trustees are ignoring the voice of the voters whom they represent. Janet spoke about these 4 trustees and their districts and where we can successfully recall some of these trustees. And when these trustees are up for election. The possibility of having sign-up sheets at our June 4, 2025 meeting of the LMFDC. To find your district, go to: https://www.sdvote.com/ For the recall information: https://recallthetrustees.com/ La Mesa Event supporting Social Security and Medicare/MediCaid every Tuesday from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the corner of La Mesa Blvd and University, La Mesa. Park at the Von’s parking lot. Santee Pride Walk, May 31, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM for more information go to: https://sdpride.org/event/santee-pride-walk/ A rally to oppose Darrell Issa: every Thursday 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the corner of Magnolia and Parkway Plaza Blvd, El Cajon, bring signs No Kings’ March on June 14 - Kick out the Clowns - go to: https://act.womensmarch.com/survey/kick-out-clowns-pledge-mobilize/?t=3&akid=22477%2E3365130%2ET6Qvd- Recall El Cajon City Council Phil Ortiz: philortiz.com Gerald Boursiquot announced his campaign running to oppose Carl MeMaio in Assembly District 75 Suzanne Till has opened an exploratory committee about running against to Darrell Issa Josen Feathers gave an update on Cottonwood Sand Mine https://www.stopcottonwoodsandmine.com/ Meeting adjourned at 8:14 PM To view the entire meeting on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHLe46RQFSc Rosamond Trujillo-Blevins, Secretary/Assistant Treasurer La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club
May Meeting Recap by Rosamond Trujillo Blevins
I Will Not Be Afraid of AI by Brenda Miller
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here to stay in healthcare and will continue to grow. We will need to embrace technology as we transform from paper to computers. The process initially seemed daunting, painful, and challenging, but Nursing Informatics emerged. AI growth in the academic, educational, business, and entertainment world, to name a few, has been promising but has brought many challenges. In the healthcare field, several bills have crossed Governor Newsom’s desk at the California legislature, like AB-3030 and SB-1120. AB-3030 Healthcare services: Artificial intelligence was signed into law and became effective January 1, 2025. The bill introduced regulations for the use of generative AI in healthcare settings to enhance transparency and protect patients when AI is used to generate clinical communications. The bill would require health professionals to “disclose” a clear disclaimer informing the patient that a message was AI-generated with clear instructions on connecting with “real” human healthcare providers. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB3030 SB-1120 Health care coverage: The governor signed the utilization review into law to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability on how AI and algorithmic tools are used in utilization review (UR) to make decisions about patient care coverage. Algorithms used in UR, like prior authorization decisions, to ensure “fair Use Requirements” based decisions on clinically appropriate information are applied fairly and equitably (Foley & Lardner, 2025) AI in healthcare enhances patient care and improves the efficiency and accuracy of patient health outcomes. Robotic surgery enhances surgical procedures, virtual assistants have many uses such as assisting with appointment scheduling, home monitoring devices that communicate with the healthcare professional, and a host of other uses, but now comes the mobile devices “mHealth” to reinforce discharge instructions. Hospitals are reengineering the discharge instructions from paper to electronic. With this technology, the instructions are voice recorded, and photographs are used to aid in visualization. As of 2024, 98% of Americans owned a mobile phone (Pew Research Center, 2025). As hospitals move toward this technology so will challenges like people of advance age ability to use the smartphone, vision, dexterity, health professional proficiency in use of the mobile device, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA), misuse of photos on social media, and a host of known and unknown facts to considered. Mobile devices, “mHealth,” are promising reengineering for discharge instructions. The goal is to improve patients’ comprehension and adherence to self-care instruction through audio and image capability (Holt, Flint, Bowers, 2011). https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB1120 AI cannot replace ethics in healthcare. The potential use of AI seems limitless in diagnosing, clinical decision-making, and discharge instructions. Ethical dilemmas are arising as AI is on the cutting edge. Addressing ethical issues is real; identifying solutions, establishing policies, and procedures are urgently needed. We stand behind the Code of Ethics in Nursing while Physicians stand behind The Hippocratic Oath. AI is a complementary tool, not a replacement for healthcare professionals (AMA Journal of Ethics, 2025). Dr. Brenda Miller, RN, PHN, CLNC, PHNSD, Educational Committee, La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club VP-Programming
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June Meeting Speakers
The Senior Advisory Council was established by the Office of Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D. Wednesday, May 14, 2025-George Stevens Senior Center, 570 S 65 Street, San Diego, CA 92114 Dr. Akilah Weber, a member of the California State Assembly representing the 79th Assembly District, has established a Senior Advisory Council. This council aims to provide seniors with a platform to express their perspectives and develop proposals on issues affecting them. Rosamond Trujillo Blevins and Janet Castanos attended the Senator’s Senior Advisory Council meeting on May 14th. The guest speaker was Karol Swartzlander, the Director of the California Commission on Aging. Also speaking were Chevelle Newell-Tate (Senator Weber Pierson’s District Director) and Moana Alo (Senator’s District Representative). The topic of senior housing was a central area of discussion. Janet shared with them recent experiences in East County with our elected officials’ attempts to build affordable housing for our unhoused neighbors, many of whom are trying to survive on meager social security or disability incomes. People who are against the affordable housing units have come out in force to oppose these efforts. East County faith leaders are collaborating through the East County First Faith Coalition and exploring the possibility of purchasing existing homes to be used as rooming houses in neighborhoods throughout East County. Karol Swartzlander, Director of the California Commission on Aging, said that they are discussing this very idea with the hope of obtaining future legislation and funding. She recommended that we read the report “Aging in Community” and also look at SB470. There were also discussions on topics regarding health care, Medicaid, food assistance, and others. These were some websites to review for further information on the various topics. The next Senior Advisor Council Meeting will be on August 13, 2025 at the Bay Terraces Senior Center, 7445 Tooma Street, San Diego, 92139 at 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. https://mpa.aging.ca.gov/DashBoard https://ccoa.ca.gov/Initiatives/ https://agingincalifornia.org https://ccoa.ca.gov/ Resources-Senior Gateway- seniors.insurance.ca.gov California State Legislature LEGINFO.LEGISLATURE.CA.GOV Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC.GOV Consumer Financial Protection Bureau consumerfinance.gov Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services CMS.GOV Department of Health & Human Services HHS.GOV State Bar of California-Seniors & the law CALBAR.CA.GOV American Association of Retired Persons AARP.ORG About Assisted Living ABOUTASSISTEDLIVING.org California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform CANHR.ORG California Health ADVOCATES CAHEALTHADVOCATES.ORG National Council on Aging NCOA.ORG California 211-Dial 211 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 211CA.org
Senior Advisory Council Meeting by Rosamond Trujillo Blevins
Postcard O'rama
David Cassirer Reflects on Legacy
Event Photos
Board Members at Large
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The La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club represents the communities of San Carlos, Del Cerro, Santee, La Mesa, Mt. Helix, Allied Gardens, College Area, Casa de Oro, and other nearby communities. Monthly meetings of the La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club typically feature office holders, candidates for office, community leaders and subject matter experts.
Tina Rynberg President
About the Club...
Janet Castanos Trinity Dubrow
OFFICERS President: Tina Rynberg Vice President, Membership: Katie Sigeti Vice President, Political Action: Chris Pearson Vice President, Programming: Brenda Miller Secretary: Rosamond Blevins Treasurer: Gene Mullaly Assistant Treasurer: Rosamond Blevins Special Events Coordinator: Merrill Perry Past President: Linda Armacost
La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club Claude and Beverly Cassirer, Founders